Beginner guides Guide 10 of 14

Calling a tile, and when to pass

A discard can be yours if it finishes a group of three or more. Often the better move is to let it go.

When you may call

You may take another player's discard, out of turn, for one of two reasons.

  • It finishes a pung, kong, or quint, and you already hold the rest of that group.
  • It is the last tile you need to win. This is the only time a discard may complete a pair or fill a single.

Count what is in your rack

A pair in your rack plus the discard is three of a kind. You can call it for a pung.

Three in your rack plus the discard is four. That is a kong.

One in your rack plus the discard would only be a pair, and you cannot call for a pair. Pass. Jokers in your rack count toward a pung or a kong, so one real tile and one joker is enough.

How to do it

  1. Say the tile, then the call.
  2. Take the discard.
  3. Lay the whole group face-up on top of your rack.
  4. Discard a tile. Play continues from your right.

"Five bam, pung."

Tables differ on the exact words. Some players simply say "call" or "take." What matters is that you speak before you reach.

How long you have

A discard can be called until the next player draws a tile and places it on their rack. After that it is gone.

If two players want the same tile, a player who needs it for mahjong gets it. Otherwise it goes to whoever is next in turn after the discarder. Some tables settle ties differently, so ask yours.

What a call costs

  • It is public. Everyone now sees part of your hand and can guess the rest.
  • It is permanent. An exposed pung stays a pung. You cannot take it back or change it later.
  • It rules out concealed hands. Any hand marked C on the card is closed to you once you expose anything.

When to let it go

A call needs a target. Take the tile only if the group it makes belongs to the hand you are building.

Early in the game you are often choosing between two hands. Calling a pung of 5s commits you to hands that want a pung of 5s. If your other candidate wanted a pair of 5s, you have just closed it. When you are unsure, pass and keep both alive. There are four copies of every tile. Another one may come.