# Watching the table (American mahjong, lesson 9)

What other players' sets and discards tell you, and which tiles are safer to throw. Interactive version: https://learnmahjongquick.com/learn-american-mahjong/watching-the-table

### 1. Read their sets

Sets that other players have face up (exposed) show what they are building.

- Left shows 2 and 4 Craks (They may want even Craks.): 3 × 2 Crak, 3 × 4 Crak
- Across shows North and East (They may want winds.): 4 × North, 3 × East

Note: Think about this each time you pick a tile to throw.

### 2. Safer discards

Some tiles are less likely to help anyone.

- Safer (Already thrown. No one called it.): 8 Bam, 8 Bam
- Safer (No exposed set uses Dots.): 5 Dot
- Risky (Left shows even Craks.): 6 Crak
- Risky (Across shows winds.): West

### 3. Late in the game

- When the wall gets short, players are close to winning.
- Don't throw a tile that could finish someone's hand.
- If your discard gives someone mahjong, you pay double.
- Sometimes it's better to throw a tile you need than a risky one.

### 4. Pick the safest tile

The wall is almost gone. Your hand doesn't use the 8 Bam, 6 Crak or West. Which is safest to throw?

Try it: Pick the safest tile to throw. Your hand: 111 333 555 777 99.

- 8 Bam: Yes. Two 8 Bams are already out, and no one shows Bams.
- 6 Crak: Left shows 2 and 4 Craks. They may need a 6 Crak.
- West: Across shows North and East. They may need West.

### 5. When to switch hands

Sometimes the hand you want can't be finished. Then go for another one.

- Three 9 Dots are out (You need a pair of 9 Dots. Only one is left.): 3 × 9 Dot
- No 5 Craks left (Left shows all four. Only jokers could fill your set now.): 4 × 5 Crak
- Another hand is closer (Switch to it. Keep the tiles it uses.)

Note: Jokers can't fill a pair. So check your pair first.

### 6. Quiz: Watching the table

- Q: A tile was thrown and no one called it. Is it a safer discard? A: Yes. No one needed it then. It's less likely to help anyone now.
- Q: Left shows these sets. Late in the game, is a 6 Crak safe to throw? [2 Crak, 2 Crak, 2 Crak, 4 Crak, 4 Crak, 4 Crak] A: No. Left may be collecting even Craks.
- Q: Across shows this set. Which tile is the most risky to throw? [North, North, Joker, North] A: East. Across may be collecting winds.
- Q: Your discard gives someone mahjong. What do you pay? A: Double. The player who throws the winning tile pays double.
- Q: You need a pair of 6 Bams. Three 6 Bams have been thrown. What do you do? A: Switch hands. Only one 6 Bam is left, and jokers can't fill a pair.
- Q: What does an exposed set tell you? A: What that player is building

## What this lesson teaches

- Exposed sets show what other players are building.
- Tiles already thrown, or that fit no exposed set, are safer to throw.
- Late in the game, don't throw a tile that could finish someone's hand.