Today, we’re talking all things Jokers! In American mahjong, a key part of the strategy for winning is using Jokers. I get a lot of questions about how Jokers can and how Jokers cannot be used in a game, so let’s talk about it.  First, what are Jokers and how are they used in American mahjong? A Joker is a wild tile that may be used in any grouping of three or more identical tiles. You can win mahjong with Jokers as part of your hand, they are not just placeholders. You can use a Joker in a grouping of three identical tiles, called a Pung. You may use a Joker in a grouping of four identical tiles, called a Kong. And you may use a Joker in a grouping of five identical tiles, called a Quint. You can even use all Jokers to make these groupings, as long as it is three or more identical tiles that you are representing. You may NEVER use a Joker in the following groupings: a single, a pair, a group of singles (NEWS or 2026), or a run (123455). This remains true, even if it is your last tile needed to win mahjong. A Joker may never be used in these groupings no matter what.  Once a joker has been exposed on top of a players rack, that joker is available for stealing. To steal a Joker is called a "Joker Exchange" or a "Joker Swap" in mahjong. Joker exchanges can be done on the players turn, and the person with the exposed Joker may not refuse a Joker exchange. The person who has the exposed Joker may also exchange the represented tile for their exposed Joker and take back their Joker to use somewhere else in their hand. Please drop any other questions about how to use jokers in mahjong down below in the comments and I will get you a video to clarify! Shop the video: The Chinoiserie Set Handpainted Mahjong Tiles: https://southernsparrow.com/collections/chinoiserie-collection Bamboo Trellis Mahjong Mat: https://southernsparrow.com/collections/mahjong-playing-mats Extra Long Racks with Hinged Pushers: https://southernsparrow.com/products/large-mahjong-racks-clear
