Episode 4 - Jokers: Wild Tile, Serious Rules

Let's start with the easiest question.

Where can I use jokers? Here's the easiest way I know how to remember it.

A joker can substitute one or all of three or more identical tiles in a grouping.

That's the important part.

Not just three or more tiles.

Three or more identical tiles.

So let's put some tiles on the table.

A pung is three identical tiles.

So yes, a joker can be used.

Two natural tiles and a joker? Absolutely.

One natural tile and two jokers are also perfectly fine.

And yes, three jokers.

which feels slightly ridiculous when you're looking at it, but there it is.

Same principle applies to comms.

Four identical tiles means jokers may substitute one, two, three, or four.

And the same principle carries through to quints and when the card calls for one, a six-tech.

The number isn't really the thing I want you to try to memorize.

Remember this instead.

Three or more identical tiles.

If you've got that in your head, you've already solved a huge chunk of joker confusion.

But here's a bonus.

You just learned something else about Mahjong.

Because three or more identical tiles should sound familiar.

That's also the basic idea behind when you can call a discarded tile and make an exposure.

Assuming, of course, you're playing a hand that can be exposed.