At the table

Mahjong etiquette

Mahjong is a social game. Good table manners keep it friendly, keep it moving, and make you the kind of player people want to invite back.

Most of this is common sense, but some of it isn't obvious until you've played a few times. Here's what experienced players expect, plus the house rules that vary from table to table.

Before the game starts

• Agree on house rules. Stakes, whether you'll play the second Charleston by default, how you'll handle mistakes, how long you'll play. Five minutes of talk up front saves arguments later.
• Bring your own card. Every player needs this year's card from the National Mah Jongg League. Sharing slows everyone down.
• Say if you're new. Most groups are happy to help a beginner. They're less happy to discover it halfway through a hand.
• Arrive on time. A mahjong table needs four. One late player holds up three others.

Name every discard

When you discard, say the tile's name out loud as you put it down: "three Bam," "North," "Soap," "Flower." Do it every time. Other players are listening for the tiles they need, and many don't look at the discard pile closely.

Speak clearly and use the usual names. If you're not sure what a tile is called, the tile guide has them all, and the tile quiz will make it automatic.

Many tables treat a tile as discarded once it's been named or has touched the table. After that, you can't take it back. So decide before you speak.

If you name a tile wrongly (you say "five Dot" but put down a six), the usual courtesy is to correct yourself right away. Tables differ on what happens if someone calls the tile you named rather than the one you discarded. Agree on it as a house rule.

Calling a tile

• Call clearly. Say "Call" (or "Mahjong" if it wins you the game) loudly enough that everyone hears. A quiet murmur leads to confusion.
• Call promptly. Under the usual rules, you can claim a discard until the next player has drawn and racked their tile. Some tables are stricter. Either way, don't wait to think it over while everyone watches.
• Don't change your mind. If you call a tile, take it and expose your group. Calling and then backing out slows the game and can be penalised under some house rules.
• Expose the right tiles. When you call to complete a group, put the whole group face up on top of your rack, including any jokers. Once tiles are exposed, they stay exposed.

Remember, you can only call a discard to complete a group of three or more, or to win. Not for a pair or single tile, unless it's the last tile for mahjong. The how to play guide covers the details.

Hands off other people's tiles

This one surprises some beginners. Don't touch another player's rack or tiles. That includes their exposures. If you want to swap a tile for a joker in someone's exposed group, you can do it on your turn, but most tables expect you to say what you're doing and let the owner see the swap. Some players prefer to make the exchange themselves when you hand them the tile.

Also, don't reach into the wall out of turn, and don't pick up your tile before the player before you has discarded. Drawing early is one of the most common beginner slips. It can make a fair call impossible for the previous discard.

Racking and keeping a tidy area

• Rack your tile. When you draw from the wall, put the tile on your rack. Don't hold it in your hand while you think.
• Keep your rack hidden. Stand your tiles so only you can see them. Lean the rack slightly back if needed.
• Keep the wall straight. Help push the wall forward as it shrinks so the next player can reach it easily. Racks with pushers make this simple.
• Discard to the middle. Put discards in the centre of the table, face up, where everyone can see them. Many groups line them up in rows.

No coaching unless everyone agrees

It's tempting to help a new player: "Don't throw that, she needs it!" At a social table that's often welcome. In a more serious game it isn't, because it affects the other players too.

A good habit is to agree at the start. Beginner tables often allow open help. Regular games usually don't. And no one should comment on another player's hand, ask what they're collecting, or react visibly to a discard.

Keeping the pace

• Think during other players' turns, not just your own.
• Have your Charleston tiles chosen before everyone else is waiting.
• Look at the card often, but don't study it for long stretches while it's your turn.

Beginners are naturally slower, and most groups are patient. The Daily Charleston and joker quiz are good ways to build speed between games.

Dead hand courtesy

A hand can be declared dead, for example when a player's exposures can't fit any hand on the card, or when they've called mahjong in error and exposed their tiles. A player with a dead hand stops drawing and discarding for the rest of that hand. But they still pay the winner.

If your hand is ruled dead:

• Accept it gracefully. Everyone makes this mistake at some point.
• Stay at the table and keep quiet. Don't give clues about what's in the wall or anyone else's hand.
• Don't throw your tiles in. Leave your rack as it is until the hand is over.

If you suspect someone else's hand is dead, it's polite to mention it calmly, usually when they make the exposure in question. Groups differ on whether a player must be told, so agree on it.

Calling mahjong

When you complete a hand, say "Mahjong!" and lay out all 14 tiles face up so others can check them against the card. Arrange them in the order shown on the card. It makes checking quicker.

Before you call, double-check. Look at the colours, the note in parentheses and whether the hand is concealed. Our guide to reading the card covers what to look for. If you're unsure, ask before you expose your tiles.

Winning gracefully matters. So does losing gracefully. A simple "nice hand" goes a long way.

Paying up

Pay the winner promptly, once the hand has been checked. Don't make the winner ask. If you play for money, keep small change or chips ready so you aren't counting coins while everyone waits. Our page on scoring and payouts explains who pays what.

At the end of the session, settle up cheerfully. Most groups play for small stakes precisely so no one minds.

Common house rules to agree on

Questions

Do I really have to say every discard out loud?

Yes. It's one of the core habits of the game. Players rely on hearing the name, especially from across the table.

Can I take back a discard?

Generally not once it's been named or has touched the table. Some casual tables are relaxed about this for beginners. Agree on it as a house rule.

Is it OK to ask the table a rules question mid-game?

Yes, as long as you ask about the rules in general and don't reveal what's in your hand. "Can a joker go in a pair?" is fine. "Should I keep my two Norths?" gives too much away.

What if someone keeps drawing before I've discarded?

Mention it kindly. It's usually an eager beginner. A gentle "hang on, I haven't discarded yet" is enough.

Hosting a game yourself? See how to host a mahjong night. Unsure of a term? Look it up in the glossary.