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The Table Is Asking Thursday, November 12

Can you play American Mahjong with three people, or only two?

Rule

Yes, both. The League's rules allow a game of three and a game of two. You still build all four walls, the empty seat takes no hand, and there is no Charleston: the deal is played as it lands, and East opens by discarding.

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Answered by Prim

Today's questions

Every one of these says up front whether it is a rule, a recommendation, one table's house preference, or plain strategy. Knowing which is which settles most of the arguments before they start.

Guidance Should I point out another player's mistake at the table? Point out what the table needs to know, and let the rest go.
Rule If two players call the same discard, who gets it? A call for Mahjong beats a call for an exposure, every time.
Rule Which way does play go in American Mahjong? Play in American Mahjong moves to the right, which seen from above is counterclockwise: East, then South, then West, then North.
Strategy What am I giving away at the Mahjong table without meaning to? More than you think, and most of it is habit rather than tiles.
Strategy Do I need to remember who passed me what in the Charleston? Mostly, no.
Rule What happens if you call Mahjong by mistake? If you catch a mistaken Mahjong call at once, before your hand is shown and before anyone else disturbs theirs, there is no penalty and play goes on.

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