Guide
Joker basics
American mahjong uses jokers. A joker can stand in for a missing tile inside a group of three or more that is exposed. It cannot stand in for a pair, and it cannot stand in for a single tile.
Where a joker belongs
- In an exposed group of three, four, or five of a kind, a joker may fill an empty seat.
- A pair has to be two natural tiles. A joker does not complete a pair.
- A single named tile has to be that tile. A joker does not replace it.
Passing and redeeming
Jokers are never passed in the Charleston or in the courtesy pass. If you are dealt one, it stays with you through the exchange.
Once a joker is in an exposure, another player who holds the natural tile may exchange it for that joker, on their turn, and take the joker onto their rack. That is a redemption, not a pass.
At the table Keep the joker. Do not pass it to look flexible. NowMahj treats a passed joker as a Costly decision.
Which groups your card allows is on the official card, not on this page. The card is at nationalmahjonggleague.org.