Discard
To place a tile face-up in the center of the table, ending your turn. Also refers to the tile itself. Other players may claim a discard to complete groups or win.
What Is a Discard?
Discarding is the act of placing an unwanted tile face-up in the center of the table. Every turn ends with a discard (unless you win). The word "discard" also refers to the tile itself, "that was a dangerous discard."
A discard is committed the moment it is named or placed on the table, not only after you draw your next tile, so you cannot take it back once it leaves your rack. It stays claimable by other players until the next player takes their tile (by drawing or calling); once that happens, the discard is dead and can no longer be claimed.
Discards are placed in the center area visible to all players. Proper etiquette requires you to name the tile as you discard it (e.g., "3 Bam" or "Red Dragon") so all players know what's available.
Claiming Discards
After a tile is discarded, other players have a brief window to call it. Discards can be claimed for:
- Exposures, completing a Pung, Kong, Quint, or Sextet
- Mah Jongg, winning the game
A Mah Jongg call always takes priority over an exposure call. If no one claims the discard, play continues to the next player's turn.
Defensive Discarding
Choosing what to discard is one of the most important strategic decisions in the game. Key considerations:
- Safe tiles, Tiles that have already been discarded (duplicates are less likely to be needed)
- Hot tiles, Tiles that opponents appear to need (dangerous to discard)
- Timing, Early discards are generally safer; late-game discards are riskier
- Opponent exposures, Check what opponents have exposed to gauge what they might need