Claiming a Discarded Tile
For an Exposure

General Rules for Claiming A Discarded Tile for an Exposure

  • Any player may claim the most recently discarded natural tile to complete an exposure for a Pung, Kong, Quint, or Sextet in an Exposed Hand (X) listed on the NMJL Card.
  • A discarded Joker tile may never be claimed.
  • A discarded tile cannot be claimed for an exposure if it is used in a Single or Pair, including visual appeal groupings:
    • Two Singles
    • Three Singles
    • Four Singles
    • Pair and Single
    • Two Pair and Single
    • Three Pair
  • A claimed discarded tile must be placed on the top of the player’s rack.

Window of Opportunity

The timeframe to claim the most recently discarded tile is called the “window of opportunity”.

The window opens:

  • When a discarded tile is fully named or touches the playing area, whichever comes first.

The window closes:

  • When the player to the right of the discarder picks a tile and:
    • racks the tile, or
    • immediately discards the tile, or
    • immediately declares Mah Jongg, or
    • immediately initiates a Joker Exchange.

Important:

  • Racking a tile is not required to close the window of opportunity.  A player is not required to rack a tile to discard, declare Mah Jongg, or initiate a Joker Exchange.
  • Tapping or clicking the rack with the tile does not close the window.
  • If the player to the right of the discarder picks a tile but hasn’t yet taken an action to close the window (see above), another player may still claim the discarded tile.
    • In this situation, the picked tile is returned exactly to its original location in the wall even if the player has seen the tile.

Rapid Succession of Discarded Tiles:

  • If two identical tiles are discarded quickly in succession, only the second tile can be claimed.
  • The first discarded tile becomes a dead tile.

Verbalizing the Claim

  • Players must clearly and unambiguously state their intent to claim a discarded tile loud enough for all to hear.
  • Recommended statements to claim discarded tile: “Call”, “Take”, or “I Want That”.

Using “Wait” or “Hold”

  • Players may say “Wait” or “Hold” to briefly pause the game and keep the window of opportunity open.
  • This pause does not commit the player or grant exclusive rights to claim the discarded tile.
  • If another player clearly claims the discarded tile during this pause, that claim takes precedence.
  • Frequent use of “Wait” or “Hold” is discouraged to maintain pace of the game.

Committing to Claim a Tile for an Exposure

  • A player commits to claiming the discarded tile when either:
    • The claimed tile is placed on top of their rack, or
    • Tiles from the player’s hand are exposed on top of the rack.
  • Touching or picking up the tile does not commit the player.
  • Placing the claimed tile in the sloping portion of the rack is discouraged (no official penalty) but commits the player to claiming the discarded tile.

Exposures

  • All exposures must be displayed clearly on top of the player’s rack.
  • Exposures do not need to match the exact order shown on the NMJL Card.

Recommended: First exposure placed at left end of rack, subsequent exposures to the right, clearly spaced apart.

Modifying Exposures

  • A player may modify their current exposure (change the number and type) until they:
    • Discard a tile, or
    • Initiate a Joker Exchange
  • The exposure must always contain the claimed discarded tile.
  • After discarding or initiating a Joker Exchange, exposure becomes locked and cannot be modified for the rest of the game (except through Joker Exchanges).

Misnamed Discarded Tile

  • A discarded tile cannot be claimed until it has been correctly named.
  • If a tile is incorrectly named, it must be correctly named before it can be claimed for an exposure.

If a player commits to claiming a misnamed discarded tile, there are three possible outcomes:

  1. If the player ends their turn with an invalid exposure, their hand is dead.
  2. If the player ends their turn after making a valid exposure without correctly naming the tile, their hand is dead.
  3. If the player correctly names the tile and makes a valid exposure before ending their turn, their hand is not dead.

The player who originally misnamed the tile faces no penalty (except if claimed for Mah Jongg)—it’s always the responsibility of the claiming player to ensure the claimed tile matches their intended exposure.

Recommended Steps to Claim a Tile for Exposure

  1. Clearly verbalize your claim to the discarded tile.
  2. Pick up and visually confirm the tile matches what the discarder named.
  3. Place the confirmed tile on top of your rack.
  4. Add tiles from your hand to the top of your rack to complete the exposure

Simultaneous Claim for Same Discarded Tile for Exposure

  • If two players claim the same discarded tile simultaneously for an exposure:
    • Preference is given to the player who is next in turn (to the right of the discarder), unless the other claimant has already begun exposing tiles from their hand specifically for that claimed tile, in which case the player who exposed tiles first has preference.
    • If both players have begun exposing tiles from their hand, it is recommended that preference returns to the player next in turn.
      • Note: The NMJL does not have a specific rule stating who has preference when both players have exposed tiles in an attempt to claim the discarded tile.

Simultaneous Claim for Same Discarded Tile for Exposure vs Mah Jongg

  • If two players simultaneously claim a discarded tile—one for Mah Jongg and another for an exposure, the Mah Jongg claim takes precedence.
    • A Mah Jongg declaration always takes precedence, even if another player has already begun exposing tiles to claim the discarded tile for an exposure.
    • If the Mah Jongg declaration is invalid (Mah Jongg in Error), the claimed discarded tile remains in the dead hand.
      • If a player exposes tiles to claim a discarded tile for an exposure but loses precedence to another player’s Mah Jongg declaration, their hand is now dead due to exposing tiles without successfully claiming a discarded tile.

Resuming Play After Claiming a Discarded Tile

  • After a player claims a discarded tile, makes an exposure, and discards:
    • Play continues counterclockwise from the claimant.
    • Players between the original discarder and the claimant may have their turns skipped, depending on who claimed the discarded tile.

Errors and Penalties