American Mahjong Rules
📢 Calling Tiles
Pungs, kongs, priority, and what happens when two players want the same tile.
What is the difference between a pung and a kong?
A pung is a set of three identical tiles. A kong is a set of four. A quint is five, and a sextet is six (both require jokers). The card shows which group size each hand requires using the numbers 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Can I call any discard or only the most recent one?
You can only call the most recently discarded tile, the one that was just discarded by the player whose turn just ended. You cannot call a tile that was discarded earlier in the game.
What happens when two players call the same discarded tile?
The player calling for mahjong (to win) has priority over all other calls regardless of seating position. Among players calling for a pung, kong, or quint (not mahjong), the player who would receive the tile in the natural turn order takes priority (specifically, the player closest to the discarder going counterclockwise).
Can I call a tile to complete mahjong even if it is not my turn?
Yes. Any player can call any discard to complete a winning hand (mahjong). This overrides all other calls and any order of play.
What is calling out of turn and what are the consequences?
Calling a tile that is not the most recent discard, or calling before the discard is complete, is an out-of-turn call. The penalty varies by house rules but typically results in the hand being declared dead. At minimum, the call is void and play continues.
Can I call a tile for a concealed (unexposed) group?
No. You can only call a discarded tile to complete a group that will be immediately exposed on the table. You cannot call a tile to add to a concealed section of your hand.
Do I have to expose tiles immediately when I call?
Yes. When you call a tile, you must immediately expose the full group (pung, kong, quint, or mahjong) to the table. You cannot call and then decide what to do; the declaration and exposure happen together.
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