Five or Six-Handed Mah Jongg

Standard American Mah Jongg is played with four players, but it can also accommodate five or six players using these adjustments. All standard rules apply as the game will still consist of four players playing the game.

Player Rotation

Two options are commonly used:

  • Option 1:
    • Extra players rotate into the game after each completed game. While sitting out, players refresh their mind and await their turn.
  • Option 2:
    • Extra players rotate into the game after each completed game, and may optionally bet on the game’s outcome (see Betting Guidelines below).

Determining Initial Four Players

  • All players roll two dice.
  • The player(s) with the lowest dice total sit out first. If tied, tied players re-roll until the lowest total is determined.

Rotating Players

  • After each game, the player who just completed the East position steps out, and the next player waiting rotates into the table.
  • If playing with six players, maintain fairness by ensuring each player sits out equally.

Betting Guidelines (Optional)

Players sitting out may optionally bet on which seated player will declare Mah Jongg or predict a wall game outcome. Follow these guidelines if betting is used:

  • Betting Timing
    • Betting occurs only after all Charleston phases (Phase 1, Phase 2 if performed, and the Courtesy Pass) have finished.
  • Choosing a Player to Bet On
    • Bettors examine each player’s tiles after the Charleston is completed.
    • They privately choose one seated player they predict will declare Mah Jongg, or bet on a wall game.
  • Recording Bets
    • Bets must be secretly recorded either on paper or using an official Mah Jongg “bettor device.”
    • If there are two bettors, each records their choice independently, without discussing or sharing their selections at any time.
    • To ensure fairness, bettors are prohibited from revealing their bets or reasoning behind them to anyone during the game.
    • Once the game officially starts (East discards the first tile), bettors may not change their bets.
  • Bettor Restrictions
    • Bettors must remain completely silent during gameplay.
    • They cannot interfere by advising, pointing out errors, or declaring hands dead.
    • Any interference voids their bet.
  • Settlement of Bets
    • After the winner declares Mah Jongg and collects payment from seated players or a wall game occurs:
      • Winning Bet, Self Drawn Tile: When the winning player draws their own tile, the Bettor is paid at the same increased rate as the winner. Both receive double the normal hand value.
      • Winning Bet, Discarded Tile: When the winning tile comes from another player’s discard, only the discarder pays at the higher rate. The remaining players pay the standard amount. The Bettor shares in the winner’s collection based on these same payments.
      • Incorrect Bet: If the Bettor’s chosen player does not win, the Bettor pays the winner an amount equal to what that chosen player owes.
      • Wall Game Bet: If the Bettor correctly predicts a wall game and no one wins, the Bettor collects from each player using the lowest value shown on the current NMJL card.
  • Penalties and Payments
    • Bettors share any penalties associated with the player they bet on, except in cases involving cascading errors (see Mah Jongg in Error section).