To view nav frame at left and columns list above, click here.

To display only this frame and view this column full-screen, touch here.

This column contains an "oopsie" that was reported by a reader on the Q&A Bulletin Board, and is included below this column. Before you report an "oopsie" in this column, please scroll down and read everything. Reporting oopsies is fun! Always read these columns with a keen eye, and maybe you can be the first to report one and get a tip o' the Sloper hat!

SLOPER ON MAH-JONGG

By Tom Sloper
June 10, 2018
Column #706

American Mah Jongg (2018 NMJL card). An opponent is showing two exposures, a pung and a kong. What would you do?

1. There's just one hand that uses a flower pung with a dragon kong. The second exposure was a dead giveaway; you should assume she's cognizant of that fact. The import of her making a dead giveaway exposure is that she's likely very close to making the hand. She needs 3D 6D 9D - and the threes and nines are key tiles. If either tile is dead on the table, you can call her dead. Otherwise, do not discard her tiles.

2. Sixes and eights in two suits; of course the mind goes first to Evens. But there's nothing there. So where should you look next? Consec. Always consec. And never forget that Consec #2 is the most powerful hand on the card. She might be doing 5-6-7-8 or 6-7-8-9; clues might be found on the discard floor, for what those clues might be worth. Don't forget that jokers can compensate for dead tiles.

3. Sevens and nines in two suits; of course the mind goes first to Odds. Could be Odds #2 or #4... or Consec #2 (6-7-8-9). Hot: 5C 6C 7B 8B. No keys.

4. Ones and twos: Consec? Mmmaybe (#6). But how about 2018 #1? Her hot tiles are soaps, 3C, and 8B. No keys.

5. Twos and threes: Consec #6. Hot tiles are 4B R.

6. Threes and sixes; of course the mind goes to 369, and it's not hard to identify #5. Hot tiles are 9C soap.

7. A pung of reds, with fours in another suit. Dragon pung hands can be found in Consec, Odds, and 369 only. Fours don't fit with Odds or 369, so this has to be Consec. And it has to be Consec #6; either 2-3-4 or 4-5-6. Her hot tiles are 3C 5C 2B 6B.

8. Fives and sevens, with the pung a higher number than the kong. One hand in Odds fits; #4. Hot tiles are G and 9D.

9. Threes and sixes in two suits, with the pung a lower number than the kong. It's 369 #2. Hot: 6B 9C. Or Consec #2, hot tiles also include 4B 5C.

10. Fives and sevens, with the pung a lower number than the kong. It's Odds #2. Her hot tiles are 7C and 9D. No keys. Or Consec #2 (two ways), hot tiles also include 4C 6C 6D 8D.

To read more columns, Click the entries in the header frame, above. Can't see header frame because you're viewing this column in full screen? Tap this icon to see the list of columns with nav frames. Anytime you want to get rid of nav frames, you can just tap a mobile icon.

Question or comment about this column? I often, um... intentionally... "miss" something; maybe you'll be the first one to spot it! Email and the discussion will be posted on the Mah-Jongg Q&A Bulletin Board. If you want your full name to appear, let me know in a short sentence in the email (I'll omit that sentence when posting). Hit me with your best shot! Like this...

This week's column

>From: Belinda
>Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2018 4:00 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>Hi Tom,
>Column 706:
>#9. & #10: aren't they missing the Consec #2 possibility?
>#9 hot tiles: 4B, 5C
>#10 hot tiles: 6C, 8D
>Bee

Totally, Bee! I did miss that.

Right, since the pung and kong are two numbers apart, there is just one way Consec #2 can be made from these.

Since the pung and kong have just one number between them and neither is a terminal (a one or nine), there are two ways Consec #2 can be made from these. Not only 7C and 8D but also 4C and 6D are hot.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆斯洛珀
Creator of the Sloper On Mah-Jongg column and the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 11, 2018

Column commentary

>From: Pat Z
>Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2018 1:35 PM
>Subject: June 20 column
>Hand #4 could need a pung of White dragons and and a kong of 3 craks.
>Pat Z

Hi, Pat!
You mean the June 10 column (#706). Consec #6 is the hand you're referring to (and I mentioned it in the column). And I did list soap and 3C as hot tiles, as you say. So you are absolutely correct - and my column agreed with you! (^_^)

4. Ones and twos: Consec? Mmmaybe (#6). But how about 2018 #1? Her hot tiles are soaps, 3C, and 8B. No keys.

If you appreciate the free information on this site, your donation would be gratefully accepted,
and would help keep this site running as a free service. Thank you!

DONATE!

Not tax-deductible

Join Johni Levene's popular Facebook group, "Mah Jongg, That's It!" for lively conversations about American mah-jongg and all things mah-jongg.

Power up your game at MahjonggMentor.com - videos, tips, and lessons for paid members.

Need rules for American mah-jongg? Tom Sloper's book, The Red Dragon & The West Wind, is the most comprehensive book about the American game, including official rules not in the outdated official rulebook. AND see FAQ 19 for fine points of the American rules (and commonly misunderstood rules). AND every player should have a copy of Mah Jongg Made Easy, the official rulebook of the National Mah Jongg League (see FAQ 3 for info on mah-jongg books).

Where to order the yearly NMJL card: Read FAQ 7i.