Why quints need jokers
A set has four of each tile. A quint is five of a kind, so it always holds at least one joker: four real 7 Craks and a joker, for example. With 8 jokers in 152 tiles, about one tile in 19 is a joker.
A joker swap, worked
Pat has exposed 3 Bam, 3 Bam, joker. On your turn, after you draw, you hold a 3 Bam. Put your 3 Bam on Pat's rack in place of the joker, take the joker into your hand, and carry on with your turn. You can do this with your own exposures too, and more than once in a turn.
Questions
How many jokers are in American mahjong?
Eight, in a 152-tile set.
Can you use a joker for a pair in American mahjong?
No. Jokers only go in groups of three or more identical tiles.
Can I swap a joker before I draw?
No. A joker swap happens on your turn, after you've drawn or called a tile.
Does a hand with no jokers score more?
On many tables, yes: a jokerless hand pays double. Singles and Pairs hands don't get it, since they can't use jokers anyway.
Related cards
Small Table Mahj is an independent guide written in our own words. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Mah Jongg League, and it shows no hands from the League's card. Buy this year's card from the League.
