SLOPER ON MAH-JONGG

By Tom Sloper
March 31, 2024
Column #800

American Mah Jongg (2024 NMJL card). Continuing my analysis of the 2024 card. Last time, I focused on the front of the card and did my usual count of repeats, variations, or brand new hands. Before I get into specific hands, I want to discuss the back of the card.

If you haven't read the back of the card yet, do it. It's been changed. That doesn't mean there are new rules; what I mean is, it's good to see what has changed on the back, and you never know, you might learn something. Most of the information is the same; it's just reorganized and reworded. Some things have been removed and one thing added, which we'll get to.

The big bold "NEVER" has moved again. ("Jokers may NEVER be used in place of a single," etc.) FAQ 16 points readers to that "NEVER" multiple times, and has done so for several years. This is the second time I've had to make a new image showing people where to find it. (Hint: it's in the left panel.)

The "NO PICKING OR LOOKING AHEAD" rule is no longer there. That doesn't mean everybody should now pick ahead or "play with a future tile" or "play with 14 tiles." I don't know why the line was removed, but it does not change the rule.

The "SCORING" and "BONUS" sections have been removed. I really liked those sections. Their removal does not mean that the game is not scored anymore, nor that jokerless hands don't score a bonus anymore. I guess the back was just getting too crowded.

The "MISCALLED TILE" section is now called the "MISNAMED TILE" section. I like that, because I think "misnamed" is better terminology (now the term "call" doesn't mean two different things).

The order of the sentences has been rearranged.

The rule about verbalizing a call (see, there's the other meaning of "call") ~~has been removed. That doesn't mean we don't still have to verbalize a claim for a discard.~~

"Mah Jongg In Error" rule 1 has been expanded, adding "If all or part of the hand is exposed in error, declarer's hand is "dead."

"Mah Jongg In Error" rule 2 has been largely moved to the Misnamed Tile section. Old "Mah Jongg in Error" rule 3 is now in the #2 slot.

"Mah Jongg In Error" rule 3 is new to the back of the card. It describes what happens when 3 players go dead when not due to Mah Jongg In Error. I guess the League got that question a lot in the past. This rule also applies to 2 dead players in a 3-player game, of course. (I get that question a lot.)

There now, aren't you glad we took a look at the back? Next time I'll delve deeply into specific hands.

麻雀

QUESTIONS about the 2023 NMJL card? See FAQ 16.

COMMENTS
Email . Hit me with your best shot!

What's in a word? ("Call")

On Monday, April 1, 2024 at 09:47:02 AM EDT, DebbiAnn L wrote:
The word "call"
Hi Tom!
Glad you addressed the word 'call'. Now, if only the league would address the issue fully.
In Mah Jongg Made Easy, they refer to the situation where the 'call' for a discard allows a player to put up tiles from their hand before taking physical possession of the called discard; effectively slamming (which they claim to not promote) and shutting out another player who wants the discard and has 'called' as well. Why does the league refuse to differentiate between the 'call' and the 'take' (physical possession) of the tile? Why is a player allowed to start their turn inappropriately, with too few tiles? Why does the call become the start of a player's turn? Why isn't it a rule that the 'call' is the mere halt to the natural picking order, and then the proper player has to claim the discard off the table FIRST and place it on the flat? This would give a fair amount of time for any other player to over-call (a couple of seconds) rather than promote slamming...putting up tiles from the hand first, which takes milliseconds...and effectively shutting out the proper procedure and harmonious flow to the process of the game.
I've written to the league since 2017 on this very subject (with SASE); received no response from the league, and feel that in addition to the slamming and the incorrect procedure, and the refusal to update/codify this rule is an antiquated nod to older players who like to play a very fast game and not follow proper procedure. Some of these fast players also have played with futures (looking ahead), so if they want to continue to play that way they can elect to ignore the rule in their home game, but everyone should learn that whether picking from the wall, or taking a discard off the table, a player's turn begins with the taking in of the 14th tile to their hand and racking it, appropriately, in or on the slope. Why is there a disconnect between a wall tile and a called discard tile as to proper procedure?
Am I missing something here...except the league refuses to do the right thing? I know you aren't 'the league', but I feel the need to vent since the league continues to ignore the subject...and I'd like your opinion on what I've written.
Debbi

Debbi, I've been harping on the multiple meanings of "call" since 2008. As to your other comments:

DL: In Mah Jongg Made Easy, they refer to the situation where the 'call' for a discard allows a player to put up tiles from their hand before taking physical possession of the called discard; effectively slamming (which they claim to not promote) and shutting out another player who wants the discard and has 'called' as well.
TS: I suppose the rule assumes all players are playing at a reasonable speed and not jumping to shut out any other players. At the bottom of page 14 (MJME2023), it says players must verbalize the call. I suppose the rule assumes players verbalize before acting. Which edition of MJME are you referring to, and which page?

DL: Why does the league refuse to differentiate between the 'call' and the 'take' (physical possession) of the tile?
TS: In what locations in MJME2023 do you recommend this distinction be drawn?

DL: Why is a player allowed to start their turn inappropriately, with too few tiles?
TS: You mean allowing a player to expose from the hand before taking the discard? I think it's drawing too fine a distinction to call that "starting the turn inappropriately."

DL: Why does the call become the start of a player's turn?
TS: Assuming nobody else is also calling the discard, I have no problem saying that the player's turn has begun with the call. Consider that the order of play has already been interrupted (if the discarder is not seated at the caller's left), and for a valid reason.

DL: Why isn't it a rule that the 'call' is the mere halt to the natural picking order, and then the proper player has to claim the discard off the table FIRST and place it on the flat?
TS: I can't explain why the League has not so codified the rule.

DL: the refusal to update/codify this rule is an antiquated nod to older players who like to play a very fast game
TS: Sounds right.

DL: Why is there a disconnect between a wall tile and a called discard tile as to proper procedure?
TS: I suppose "because the two actions are different" and calling a discard can happen out of turn. The dichotomy between calling and picking exists in all variants of mah-jongg, going back well over 100 years.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
April 1, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Column #800 correction

On Monday, April 1, 2024 at 11:30:35 AM EDT, Shawn M wrote:
back of card - rule to verbalize call
HI Tom - the rule about verbalizing a call hasnt been deleted, just moved to #2 under "Claiming a discard"

囧 Right you are, Shawn! Thanks!
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
April 1, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Where to order the yearly NMJL card: Read FAQ 7i. But you're missing a bet if you don't order your NMJL card directly from the National Mah Jongg League!

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, a good supplement to the League's official rulebook. Note that every owner of the book also needs the errata, which are updated ongoing, as needed. 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).

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