ROUND TIMING

Each round ends immediately when the chime sounds. No extensions are provided. If the game is unfinished, every player at that table receives 0 points for the round.

SOCIAL PACE

Please maintain a comfortable but attentive social pace so every table has the best opportunity to complete its game before the chime.

SCORE VERIFICATION

At the end of every round, remain seated while an HTM Table Guide verifies each player’s individual score. Scoring concerns must be resolved before anyone leaves the table; after verification, scores are final.

ROTATION

After verification, follow the table assignment provided by HTM and move promptly to the next table.

WINNING HAND

The player declaring a valid Mahjong receives the point value printed beside the completed hand on the current NMJL card.

CONCEALED HANDS

Concealed hands may have no exposures. Jokers are permitted when allowed within the hand, following standard NMJL rules.

SELF-PICKED MAHJONG

Add +10 points when the winning tile is picked from the wall, including a valid joker exchange that completes the hand.

NO-JOKER BONUS

Add +20 points for a winning hand containing no jokers. This bonus does not apply to Singles and Pairs hands.

DISCARD PENALTIES

The player discarding the winning tile receives a penalty based on the winner’s exposures: −10 points for 0-1 exposures, −20 points for 2 exposures, and −25 points for 3 or more exposures.

WALL GAME

When the wall is exhausted without Mahjong, each active player receives 10 points. A player whose hand was declared dead receives 0 points.

DEAD HAND

A dead hand receives 0 points and is not eligible for wall-game points or bonuses.

BONUSES

Eligible self-pick and no-joker bonuses may be added to the card value unless a specific exclusion above applies.

NO PICKING AHEAD

Do not remove the next tile from the wall until the previous player has discarded. Picking ahead results in a dead hand.

START OF TURN

A turn begins when a player picks a tile or verbally calls the most recent discard for an exposure or Mahjong.

RACKING A TILE

Once a player racks the next playable tile, that tile belongs to the player and the previous discard may no longer be called.

WRONG-END WALL PICK

If a player picks from the wrong end of the wall but does not view the tile, return it and continue from the correct end. If the tile is viewed, the player’s hand is dead.

CALLING WINDOW

The most recent discard may be called until the next player racks the picked tile. Once the picked tile is racked, the previous discard is dead.

DISCARD INTENT

A discard is final when the tile touches the table or the player begins announcing its name. The player may not change the discard after demonstrating intent.

ORDER OF PLAY

A player must pick before discarding or exchanging a joker. Players should avoid hovering over the wall and allow a brief pause before racking so others can see the previous discard.

VERBAL CALL REQUIRED

A player must verbally call for a discarded tile. Without a verbal call, the tile may not be taken and must remain on the table.

CALLED-TILE PLACEMENT

A called tile must be placed on top of the rack with the exposure, not placed into the concealed portion of the hand. Improperly concealing a called tile results in a dead hand.

CHANGING A CALL

A player may withdraw a call only before touching the discarded tile and before exposing tiles. After the tile is touched or tiles are exposed, the call must be completed if legally possible.

SIMULTANEOUS MAHJONG CALLS

If two players call the same discard for Mahjong at the same time, priority goes to the player next in turn order.

EXPOSURE ADJUSTMENT

The caller may correct the number or arrangement of tiles in an exposure until the caller discards. Once the discard is made, the exposure is final.

JOKER EXCHANGE

Request the exchange verbally and hand the matching natural tile directly to the player. If the tile is placed on the table prior to communicating the exchange, it is treated as a discard rather than an exchange.

JOKERS IN DEAD HANDS

Jokers from valid exposures made before a hand became dead remain available for exchange. Jokers in the exposure that caused the hand to become dead are not available.

CHARLESTON

A hand may not be declared dead during the Charleston. Looking at a tile stolen during a blind pass results in a -10 point penalty, but the player remains in the game.

GAME START

The game begins when East makes the first discard. Tile-count irregularities discovered before that discard should be corrected by redealing.

CORRECT TILE COUNT

Players are responsible for maintaining the correct number of tiles. A hand with an incorrect tile count after play begins may be declared dead.

DECLARING A DEAD HAND

If a player believes another hand is dead, pause and call an HTM Table Guide. A player who incorrectly declares another hand dead may have their own hand declared dead at the Tournament Director’s discretion.

CONCEALED AND EXPOSED HANDS

The concealed or exposed designation printed on the NMJL card applies to every player. A concealed hand may not contain an exposure.

VERIFY BEFORE EXPOSING

Players should not expose or disturb their hands until the declared Mahjong has been verified.

CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY

If an incorrect Mahjong call is withdrawn before the caller or another player exposes or disturbs a hand, play may continue without penalty.

INCORRECT EXPOSED HAND

If a player calls Mahjong on a concealed hand after previously making an exposure, the caller’s hand is dead. Play resumes only when more than two players remain with intact, unexposed hands; otherwise the round ends and the remaining score is determined by the Tournament Director.

DISCARDED TILE CONTROLS

The physical discarded tile—not the announced name—governs play. If no one has acted, the discarder should correct the name immediately and play continues without penalty.

MISNAMED TILE AND EXPOSURE

A player may not claim a tile for an exposure based solely on the incorrect spoken name. If the player exposes and the physical tile cannot complete that exposure, the caller’s hand is dead.

MISNAMED TILE AND MAHJONG

If the physical discarded tile legally completes another player’s Mahjong, the Mahjong is valid and the player who misnamed the discard receives a 25-point penalty.

INVALID MAHJONG AFTER MISNAME

If only the spoken name, not the physical tile, would complete the hand, there is no valid Mahjong. If the caller has not touched the discard or exposed the hand, play may continue at the Tournament Director’s discretion; otherwise the caller’s hand is dead.

WELCOME AT THE TABLE

Mahjong is experiencing an exciting wave of new players, bringing fresh energy and enthusiasm to the game. Please be patient and gracious with one another—we were all new once, and every player deserves to feel welcome.

NO CRITICISM

Players may not criticize, judge or offer unsolicited commentary about another player’s decisions, strategy, pace, or experience level. Questions and rule disputes should be directed to an HTM Table Guide or Tournament Director.

ZERO-TOLERANCE CONDUCT POLICY

Hidden Tile Mahjong maintains a zero-tolerance policy for inconsiderate, disrespectful, rude, intimidating or abusive behavior. Anyone whose conduct interferes with another guest’s experience may be removed from tournament play at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

TOURNAMENT TIE-BREAKER

For prize placements specifically: If two or more players are tied for a prize-winning position in the final tournament standings, the tied players will draw from a tile bag. The first player to draw three jokers receives the higher placement.

REFUND POLICY

Tournament registrations are refundable until 15 days before the tournament. Cancellations made 14 calendar days or fewer before the tournament date are nonrefundable.

PLAY, CONNECT, BELONG

Play thoughtfully, welcome generously and enjoy the connection found around the table. May the tiles fall in your favor and may you leave with new mahjong people to call your own.

Thank you for being part of the Hidden Tile Mahjong community. We’re so happy to have you around the table.

With gratitude,

Nicki & Kate

Hidden Tile Mahjong