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WEEKLY MAH-JONGG

By Tom Sloper

September 3, 2006
Column #282

American Mah-Jongg (2006 NMJL card). You're holding the tiles at left, and someone discards the tile at right. What do you do?

1. Kong it. The hand could be either Consec. #3 or 13579 #5 - both can use a kong of ones. You'll probably want to discard 5D, go for Consec. #3.

2. Take it for sextet and discard 2B. You're waiting for N for mah-jongg. 2006 #3.

3. Say "mahj." You were waiting for either F or 4C.

4. Tear your hair out and scream to the heavens, "Oh! I wanted that!" You know darned well that once a joker is discarded, it is DEAD. Dead, dead, dead.

5. Say "mahj." You needed the 2nd F to complete the pair (Like Nos. #1) - and although you aren't permitted to claim a tile to complete a pair prior to mahj, this is mahj! Go for it, lady.

6. Say "mahj." The only tile you needed to complete 2006 #5 was a 6C. You are permitted to claim any tile needed for mahj, even if it's a single.

7. Say "mahj." The only tile you needed to complete 2006 #3 was S. You are permitted to claim any tile needed for mahj, even if it's a single. And hey, it's jokerless - you score double!

8. Say "mahj." The only tile you needed to complete S&P #2 was G. You are permitted to claim any tile needed for mahj, even if it's to complete a pair. But even though it's jokerless, this is an S&P hand - jokers can't be used in this section, so: no jokerless bonus.

9. Say "mahj." The only tile you needed to complete 13579 #7 was 1C. You are permitted to claim any tile needed for mahj, even if it's to complete a pair.

If it seems I was getting repetitive there, I was. Some nice ladies from Annapolis, MD asked to see these examples, and I was only too happy to oblige.

麻雀

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Question about this column? See an error? Email and the discussion will be posted on the Mah-Jongg Q&A Bulletin Board.

Haven't ordered the 2006 NMJL card yet? Read FAQ 7i.

Need rules for American mah-jongg? Go to http://www.geocities.com/linfishr. AND see FAQ 19 for fine points of the American rules (and commonly misunderstood rules). AND get the booklet from the NMJL (see FAQ 3).