American mahjong
When can I use a joker?
Think matching groups of three or more. Singles and pairs always need natural tiles.
Yes · a kong
One tile, same job.
Here the joker stands for a fourth 5 dot. It can help in a pung, kong, quint or sextet.
No · a pair
Two means natural.
A joker cannot complete a pair or replace a single, even when that tile would give you mahjong.
Read the group, not the spacing.
NEWS and a year are separate tiles. Sitting together on the card does not make them a kong.
Keep jokers out of every pass.
No jokers in the Charleston or courtesy pass. A discarded joker cannot be called.
Exchange on your turn.
On your turn, after drawing or completing a legal exposure call, trade a matching natural tile for an exposed joker before discarding. A valid exchange cannot be refused.
Complete the called exposure first. A redeemed joker cannot be added to the exposure just called. Do not draw again after a call.
Give a joker a job
Scan to practice building a kong. No account needed.
https://jongg.app/learn/quick?lesson=jokersGroup examples only. Your complete winning hand must match your own NMJL card.