Calling tiles
Hong Kong mahjong, lesson 4. Take a discard to finish a set. Chows only from your left.
1. Take a discard
When someone discards a tile you need, you can take it. This is called calling.
- Say what you're making: "Chow," "Pung" or "Kong."
- Take the tile. Put the finished set face up next to your tiles.
- Then discard one tile. After a kong, draw an extra tile first.
- Play goes on from you. Anyone in between is skipped.
2. Chows
You can call a tile for a chow only from the player on your left. That player goes just before you.
- Yes (Left player discarded the 8 Dot): 6 Dot, 7 Dot, 8 Dot
- No (Any other player discarded it): 6 Dot, 7 Dot, 8 Dot
3. Pungs and kongs
You can call a tile for a pung or kong from any player.
- Pung (From anyone): 2 Crak, 2 Crak, 2 Crak
- Kong (From anyone): White Dragon, White Dragon, White Dragon, White Dragon
- Pair (No, unless it wins): 5 Bam, 5 Bam
4. Exposed sets
A set you call is exposed. It stays face up for the rest of the hand.
- Exposed (Called. Face up.): South, South, South
- Concealed (Drawn. Hidden in your hand.): 2 Bam, 3 Bam, 4 Bam
Note: A hand with no called sets scores a little more. Lesson 7 covers scoring.
Go to step 45. Two calls at once
- A player who can win with the tile gets it first.
- Next, a pung or kong beats a chow.
- If two players can win, the one who plays next gets it. Some tables let both win.
6. Call a chow
The player on your left discards a 6 Bam.
Try it: Pick the 3 tiles you'd show as a chow. Tiles to pick from: 5 Bam, 6 Dot, 4 Bam, 6 Bam, 7 Crak, 8 Bam, East.
Go to step 67. Quiz: Calling tiles
Question: The player across discards a 6 Dot. Can you call it for a chow? [4 Dot, 5 Dot]
Answer: No. You can call for a chow only from the player on your left.
Question: The player on your left discards a 3 Dot. Can you call it for a chow? [4 Dot, 5 Dot]
Answer: Yes. 3, 4, 5 Dots is a chow, and it came from your left.
Question: Any player discards a Red Dragon. Can you call it for a pung? [Red Dragon, Red Dragon]
Answer: Yes. You can call for a pung from anyone.
Question: One player calls a tile for a pung. Another calls it for a chow. Who gets it?
Answer: The pung. A pung or kong beats a chow.
Question: One player calls a tile for a pung. Another can win with it. Who gets it?
Answer: The winner. Winning beats every other call.
Question: You call a tile and show the set. What next?
Answer: Discard a tile
What this lesson teaches
- Call a chow only from the player on your left.
- Call a pung or kong from anyone. Show the set, then discard.
- Winning beats a pung or kong, and a pung or kong beats a chow.
