TWO-FISTED PLAY AND TILE HANDLING (ARTICLE 301)

NMJL rules don’t require players to handle tiles with only one hand, and the League doesn’t impose a penalty for using two hands.

Using both hands to handle tiles while picking and discarding during the same turn is commonly known as “two-fisted” play. This may include picking with one hand while simultaneously preparing or making a discard with the other. Although the term is widely used among players and appears in some tournament rules, the NMJL does not establish a rule governing two-fisted tile handling.

The confusion often comes from competitive play. Some event officials establish procedures restricting two-fisted tile handling and may impose disqualification or a point penalty for violating those procedures. These restrictions apply to the events that adopt them and should not be interpreted as NMJL rules for standard play.