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THE BIG CARD: AMERICAN MAHJONG FAQS
Setup
What are the options for distributing tiles?
Option A - Players take their own tiles
Starting with East and moving clockwise, each player takes 4 tiles until each player has 12 tiles. Next, East takes the 1st and 3rd tiles from the wall. Then moving clockwise, remaining players take 1 final tile. This is the standard American mahjong distribution method.
Option B - East distributes
Starting with East and moving clockwise, East distributes 4 tiles apiece until each player has 12 tiles. Next, East takes the 1st and 3rd tiles from the wall. Then moving clockwise, East distributes 1 additional tile to the remaining players. This method is not part of the official American Mahjong rules for tile distribution.
How do you determine East?
The roll of the dice determines East. The player with the highest roll is East. At the conclusion of each game, the role of East rotates to the right.
What direction do I distribute tiles?
East deals counterclockwise. The walls, however, are pushed in a clockwise fashion.
What if the wrong player assumes the East position?
There is no penalty when the wrong player assume the East position. The game continues to its completion. The East position then reverts back to the appropriate player at the start of the next game.
What happens to the remaining wall tiles after East breaks the wall?
After East breaks the wall, the remaining tiles are pushed back so they’re flush with the right end of East’s rack. This becomes the last wall used during gameplay.
Charleston
Is the Charleston mandatory?
All players must complete the first Charleston (Right-Across-Left). Then, any player may stop the Charleston, but if no one stops, the second Charleston (Left-Across-Right) is mandatory.
What is a blind pass?
A blind pass means passing one, two, or all three tiles you receive in the Charleston without looking at them first.
When can I blind pass?
Players may make a blind pass during the first Left and the last Right.
How many tiles can I blind pass?
Players can blind pass one, two, or all three tiles.
Do I have to announce that I am making a blind pass?
No, you are not required to tell your opponents if you plan to make a blind pass.
What happens if all four players want to blind pass the same number of tiles?
If all players want to blind pass the same number of tiles, East is required to pass tiles from their rack.
What is the courtesy pass/optional pass after the Charleston?
Once the Charleston is complete, players seated across from each other mutually agree to exchange zero, one, two, or three tiles as a courtesy pass or optional pass.
What is R-O-L-L-O-R?
Players can use the acronym R-O-L-L-O-R to remember the order of passes during the Charleston: Right–Over–Left–Left–Over–Right.
What should I keep and what should I pass during the Charleston?
Players should always keep any pairs they’re dealt and pass tiles that don’t work with those pairs. If you don’t have any pairs, look for tiles that belong in the same suit or section of the card and build from there. Never pass a pair or a flower-doing so could strengthen an opponent’s hand. And remember, jokers may never be passed.
How do I choose which hand to play?
Choosing which hand to play is one of the most challenging-and important-decisions in American Mahjong. During the Charleston, focus on identifying which section of the card best suits your tiles. Once the Charleston is complete, evaluate your rack to determine which specific hand within that section offers the strongest potential. As play continues, stay flexible-if the tiles you need aren’t appearing, it may be time to pivot to a different hand or shift into defensive play.
What if we realize during the Charleston that a player has the wrong number of tiles?
If this occurs, all tiles are thrown in, reshuffled, and the hand is replayed. Hands cannot be declared dead during the Charleston.
What is a heavenly hand?
When East declares mahjong before the Charleston begins, it’s called a Heavenly Hand—the only time the first Charleston may be skipped.
What is an earthly hand?
When East declares mahjong at the conclusion of the Charleston, it is called an Earthly Hand.
Game play
How does the game begin?
Play begins when East discards the first tile.
When does my turn begin?
A turn begins when a player draws and racks a tile or makes a joker exchange. Until then, a discard may be claimed.
When does my turn end?
Your turn is complete once you discard and name the tile.
Discarding
Do I have to say the name of the tile I am discarding?
Players are required to announce the name of each tile they discard. Some players may deliberately state a different tile name as a strategic maneuver to mislead opponents who listen but do not observe the discards. For example, a player nearing mahjong might discard a joker while announcing it as a previously discarded tile, preventing those not watching from recognizing the joker.
What happens if a player announces a discard incorrectly and another player uses that tile in an exposure?
The player who used the incorrectly named tile in an exposure now has a dead hand. The player who misnamed the tile is not penalized. It is each player’s responsibility to pay attention to discarded tiles, both visually and audibly.
What happens when a player discards a tile and names the incorrect tile, and another player hears the discard and declares mahjong? Does that count as mahjong?
Yes, this does count as mahjong! However, players may not call misnamed tiles for an exposure.
Calling a tile
If more than one player calls a tile for an exposure, who gets it?
When multiple players call for an exposure, the player whose turn comes next receives the tile. When more than one player calls a discard, the player nearest in turn takes the discard unless the other player starts to expose their hand or can declare mahjong.
What’s the intent behind the rule that gives priority to the player who begins exposing their tiles for a discard?
The spirit of this rule is to reward attentiveness. The player who promptly calls a discard and begins their exposure is given priority over a player who hesitates. Even if the caller wasn’t next in line for the discard, they aren’t penalized for acting quickly - this is why the tile goes to them.
How long do I have to call a tile?
The opportunity to claim a discarded tile exists from the moment it is discarded until the next player racks their tile. If the next player does not rack their tile, the time to call the discarded tile is extended until that player either discards a tile or performs a joker swap.
I want to claim a discard, but the next player has already drawn from the wall and tapped the tile on their rack. Can I still claim it?
No, it is not too late. A player’s turn does not officially begin until the drawn tile is racked. Tapping the tile is not a substitute for racking, which is defined as placing the tile on the sloped part of the rack.
If it is my turn and I want to pick up the discard, do I have to say anything or can I just take the tile?
Any player claiming a discarded tile must verbally announce their intention to take the tile before physically picking it up, regardless of whether it is their turn.
I picked up a tile from the wall and looked at it. Before I racked it, another player called the discard. What do I do?
As long as the drawn tile has not been racked, return it to the wall, and the player who called the discard then takes their turn.
I picked up a tile from the wall and looked at it. Before I racked it, I realized that I needed the previous discard. Can I put the wall tile back and claim the discard?
No. Once a tile has been drawn from the wall and examined, the player is committed to taking it and may not change their decision.
Making an exposure
If I pause the game to call a tile, and decide I do not want the tile, do I have to make an exposure?
No. You are not required to complete an exposure as long as you have not begun forming it or placed the tile on your rack. However, if you have placed the tile on your rack or have begun the exposure, you must use the tile to complete it.
Do exposures need to be arranged in the order shown on The Big Card?
No. If you have multiple exposures, they do not need to be placed in order, though it is courteous to leave space between them. Once you declare mahjong, exposures should be arranged in proper order so others can verify your hand.
Can I change my exposure after I have made it?
A player may modify their exposure at any time until they discard a tile. Once a discard is made, the exposure is locked. If the exposure contains a joker, however, a joker swap may still be performed.
Jokers & joker swaps
Can I use a joker for a single?
No, you can never use a joker for a single tile, even if it’s the last tile you need to mahjong. No. A joker may never be used as a single tile, even if it is the final tile needed to mahjong.
Can I use a joker for a pair?
No. A joker may never be used to form a pair, even if it is the final tile needed to mahjong.
Can I use three jokers to represent a pung?
Yes. For any set of three or more identical numbers, you may use three or more jokers to complete the meld.
Can I use four jokers to represent a kong?
Yes. For any set of four identical numbers, you may use three or more jokers to complete the meld.
Can I use a joker in 2026 or NEWS?
No. Jokers may not be used in a group of singles, such as 2026 or NEWS. Additionally, players may not claim a discarded tile to complete NEWS, 2026, or any group of singles, except when it is to mahjong.
What is a joker swap?
When a player has an exposure that includes a joker, any player may swap the appropriate tile for the exposed joker. Joker swaps must be performed on a player’s turn.
Can I pause and pick up a discarded joker?
Discarded jokers may not be claimed by any other player. Once a joker is discarded, it is considered a dead tile.
If I accidentally discard a tile that could be used in a joker swap, can I pick it back up and do the joker swap?
No. Once a discard touches the table or its name has been announced, the player may not change the discard to a different tile. Additionally, if a tile eligible for a joker swap is discarded, no other player may claim it to perform a joker swap.
If I name my discard tile but then realize that it could be used in a joker swap before it touches the table, can I do the joker swap instead of discarding?
No, once your discard touches the table or you begin to name the discard, you cannot change your discard tile to another tile.
When can I swap a tile for a joker on another player’s exposure?
Players may swap one of their tiles for another player’s joker on their turn, after they have either drawn and racked a tile or called and exposed. A player must have 14 tiles before initiating a joker swap.
Can I do a joker swap on my own exposure?
Yes. You may complete a joker swap on your own exposure during your turn.
Can I perform more than one joker swap on a single turn if able?
Yes. Players may make multiple joker swaps on their turn.
I have a tile in my rack that can be used for a joker swap on my turn. If another player discards a tile I need, but I must perform the joker swap first to complete an exposure, am I allowed to claim the discarded tile, execute the joker swap, and then complete my exposure?
No. Your turn begins by claiming the discard and completing the exposure. Only after the exposure is complete may you perform the joker swap.
If a player has an exposure, and I need one of the exposed tiles to complete a pair, can I exchange a joker for the tile I need in the exposure?
No, you cannot exchange a joker for the tile from an exposure.
Are there any etiquette rules for performing a joker swap?
Yes. When performing a joker swap with another player’s exposure, offer the appropriate tile to your opponent. They should pick up the joker and hand it to you. Do not take the joker directly from another player’s rack.
Can I refuse a joker swap?
No. If your exposure contains a joker, you are required to honor a joker swap.
Calling a tile to mahjong
Can I call a discarded tile for mahjong if it is a single or to complete a pair?
Yes, players can call a discarded tile for mahjong for singles (this includes NEWS, 2026, and any other groups of singles) and pairs. This is the only time a player can call a tile to complete a single or a pair.
Who gets the tile if one player calls the tile for an exposure and one player calls a tile for mahjong?
If more than one player calls a tile, one for an exposure and one for mahjong, the preference goes to the player who can mahjong even if the player who called the tile for an exposure begins the exposure.
Who gets the tile if more than one player calls the tile for mahjong?
A player’s hand may be declared dead for having too many or too few tiles, making an invalid joker swap, picking ahead or out of turn, drawing from the wrong wall or wrong end of the wall, making an incorrect exposure, declaring mahjong in error, or if it becomes clear from exposures and discards that the hand is no longer achievable. For example, if one player has three north winds exposed and another player has enough exposed that it’s obvious the hand requires a pair of north winds, the hand may be declared dead.
Can I call a tile to mahjong if I am playing a concealed hand?
Yes, a player can call a tile for mahjong even when playing a concealed hand.
What are the rules for using SOAP?
Can I use a 0 in a consecutive run?
No, players cannot use 0 in a consecutive run.
Since the year requires a zero, does that mean the year must always be dots?
No. When the year includes a zero, the white dragon/soap must be used as the zero and is neutral, not belonging to any suit, similar to how a flower or a wind has no suit. Therefore, the year can be any suit.
Calling a dead hand
What are the reasons someone would call a hand dead?
A player’s hand may be declared dead for having too many or too few tiles, making an incorrect tile exposure, declaring mahjong in error, or if, based on exposures and discards, it is apparent that the hand is no longer achievable. For example, if one player has three north winds exposed and another player has enough exposed that players know the hand requires a pair of north winds, players could declare the hand dead.
Can I call my own hand dead?
No, you cannot call your own hand dead. If your hand is not playable, the best strategy is to play defense to try to get to a wall game.
What is the benefit of calling someone’s hand dead?
The benefit to calling someone’s hand dead is that you have one less opponent to worry about! However, be certain before declaring another player’s hand dead as there are consequences to calling a dead hand in error when playing tournament rules.
Can we do joker swaps on exposures from a dead hand?
Yes, you can continue to do joker swaps on exposures after a player’s hand has been called dead as long as the jokers were exposed before the hand was called dead.
Keeping score
How many points do players get for a wall game?
All players earn 10 points for a wall game, except those with dead hands, who score 0 points.
Do I lose points if my hand was called dead?
No, players do not lose points for having a dead hand.
Do I earn extra points for picking my own winning mahjong tile?
Yes. If a player draws their winning tile from the wall, they are awarded ten additional points. This rule also applies if the player completes a joker exchange to declare mahjong.
Is a player penalized for throwing another player’s winning tile?
Yes. A player who discards a tile that completes another player’s winning hand is penalized points. The number of penalty points depends on the number of exposures in the winning hand. If one or fewer exposures have been made, the penalty is ten points. If two exposures have been made, the penalty is twenty points. If three exposures have been made, or if there are two exposures in a quints line, the penalty is twenty-five points.
Is there a reward for declaring mahjong without jokers?
Yes. A hand won without using any jokers earns an additional 20 points.
Tournaments
Can you use The Big Card for tournament play?
Yes! The Big Card is designed for tournament play. Its broad range of point values lets players strategically select hands based on risk and reward.