Call
To claim a discarded tile to complete a group (Pung, Kong, Quint) or to win. A Mah Jongg call takes priority over all other calls.
What Is a Call?
Calling (also known as claiming) is the act of taking another player's discard to use in your hand. You can call a discard to:
- Complete an exposure (Pung, Kong, Quint, or Sextet)
- Win the game by declaring Mah Jongg
When you want to call a tile, you must announce it immediately and clearly. Say "Call!" or name the group you're completing.
Call Priority
When multiple players want the same discard, priority rules determine who gets it:
- Mah Jongg, Highest priority. A winning call always beats an exposure call
- Exposure, Any player can call for an exposure, regardless of seating position
- Multiple Mah Jongg calls, The player closest to the discarder (in turn order) wins the tie
Note: In American Mahjong, you cannot call a discard just for a pair, pairs must be completed from the wall (unless it completes Mah Jongg).