Calling tiles
American mahjong, lesson 8. Take a thrown tile to finish a set, and show it.
1. Take a discard
When someone throws a tile you need, you can take it.
- You can only call the tile that was just thrown.
- Say "Call" before the next player puts their new tile on their rack.
- Take the tile. Put the finished set face up on your rack.
- Then discard one tile.
- Play goes on to your right. Anyone in between loses their turn.
2. What you can call for
You can call a tile to finish a pung, kong or quint.
- Yes (Pung): 3 Bam, 3 Bam, 3 Bam
- Yes (Kong): East, East, Joker, East
- No (Not for a pair): 5 Dot, 5 Dot
- No (Not for a single tile): 2 Dot
Note: One exception: you can call any tile that gives you mahjong. More on that in the lesson on declaring mahjong.
Go to step 23. Show the set
A called set goes face up on your rack. It stays there.
- Exposed (Face up on your rack): 3 Bam, 3 Bam, 3 Bam
- Exposed (Jokers can be in it): North, Joker, North, North
Note: Now everyone can see what you're building. They may stop throwing what you need.
Go to step 34. Call and expose
Someone throws a 6 Dot. You have two 6 Dots and a joker.
Try it: Pick 4 tiles to expose as a kong of 6 Dots. Tiles to pick from: 6 Dot, 6 Bam, 6 Dot, Joker, 5 Dot, 6 Dot, 6 Crak, Soap.
Go to step 45. When two players call
- If one player needs the tile for mahjong, that player gets it.
- If two players both need it for mahjong, the one next in turn gets it.
- If no one needs it for mahjong, the player next in turn gets it.
- Next in turn means the first player to the right of the thrower.
6. Hands marked C
- Some hands on the card are marked C. C means concealed.
- For a C hand, you can't call a tile to make a set.
- You can still call the last tile you need for mahjong.
- Hands not marked C can call and expose sets.
7. Quiz: Calling tiles
Question: You have these. Someone throws a 3 Bam. Can you call it? [3 Bam, 3 Bam]
Answer: Yes. It finishes a pung of 3 Bams.
Question: You have this. Can you call a 5 Dot to make a pair? [5 Dot]
Answer: No. You can't call a tile for a pair unless it gives you mahjong.
Question: After you call, where does the set go?
Answer: Face up on your rack
Question: Two players call a tile. One needs it for mahjong. Who gets it?
Answer: The mahjong player
Question: Two players call a tile for a pung. Who gets it?
Answer: The player next in turn
Question: Your hand is marked C. Can you call a tile to make a pung?
Answer: No. C hands stay hidden. You can only call your last tile for mahjong.
What this lesson teaches
- You can take the last thrown tile to finish a set of 3 or more.
- Then show that set face up and throw a tile away.
- Hands marked C can call only the last tile, for mahjong.
