# Calling tiles (American mahjong, lesson 8)

Take a thrown tile to finish a set, and show it. Interactive version: https://learnmahjongquick.com/learn-american-mahjong/calling-tiles

### 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.

### 3. 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.

### 4. 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.

### 5. 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

- Q: You have these. Someone throws a 3 Bam. Can you call it? [3 Bam, 3 Bam] A: Yes. It finishes a pung of 3 Bams.
- Q: You have this. Can you call a 5 Dot to make a pair? [5 Dot] A: No. You can't call a tile for a pair unless it gives you mahjong.
- Q: After you call, where does the set go? A: Face up on your rack
- Q: Two players call a tile. One needs it for mahjong. Who gets it? A: The mahjong player
- Q: Two players call a tile for a pung. Who gets it? A: The player next in turn
- Q: Your hand is marked C. Can you call a tile to make a pung? A: 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.