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AMERICAN MAH JONGG · DAY 5

Practise joker exchanges

You'll learn
Play a hand and look for useful joker exchanges.
Time
7 minutes
Builds on
Wall games and dead hands
Up next
Your first full game
Why it helps
Looking around the table may reveal a joker that brings your hand closer to mahjong.

Practise this lesson

This time, look beyond your own rack for a useful joker. The Coach is nearby if you'd like help spotting an exchange.

Look for a joker exchange

Play a hand with the Coach and Undo available. As you take your turns, check the exposed jokers around the table.

Try a quick look around the table before you discard:

  1. Do I hold a natural tile that matches an exposed joker?
  2. Can I use that joker in a group of three or more matching tiles?
  3. Does exchanging help the hand I'm building?

Make any exchange after drawing or calling, before discarding.

Check the exposed groups for a joker you can exchange on your turn.
Check the exposed groups for a joker you can exchange on your turn.

Keep playing while tiles remain

Watch the wall count, but keep checking for mahjong through the final discard. If a hand becomes dead, earlier valid exposures can still offer exchangeable jokers.

Play through to the end, and notice any exchanges you found along the way. You're practising how to spot an opportunity as well as how to finish a hand.

Exposed group6 DotJoker6 DotMatching tile on your rack6 Dot
One exchange to look for: your matching tile can free a joker for your own hand.

Remember

Check for a win, check for exchanges, then choose your discard.

Teaches on the Learner card · reviewed 2026-09-14