BEGINNING OF A PLAYER’S TURN (Article 153)

Commentary: One might think that a player’s turn begins when the previous player discards a tile, but that is not the case. This is because turns can be interrupted when another player claims the discard to make an exposure. A player’s turn begins one of two ways: 1) they pick a tile from the wall and use it to request a joker exchange, or they place it in the sloped part of their rack, or 2) they claim a discard and place it on the flat part of their rack, or they expose tiles from the sloped part of their rack. Requesting a joker exchange as the initial transaction is a disqualifiable offense.

To be clear, after the Charleston, a player must either claim the latest discard to make an exposure or pick a tile from the wall and discard. Mah Jongg Made Easy clarifies this sequence but does not mention the option of making an exposure immediately after a wall pick because it is not part of the official rules.

If a player makes an exposure after drawing from the wall, they are deviating from the standard procedure, and it is currently not a disqualifiable infraction. While they may believe they are simplifying their hand, they reveal unnecessary information and limit their options. Additionally, this action could create confusion at the table and disrupt the expected flow of play.

It’s important to reinforce proper turn order and strategy so players can make informed decisions within the game’s official framework. If this happens in casual play, a table discussion may clarify the correct procedure.

Source: Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 page 14); back of the NMJL card, panel 1