Playing FAQ's
Notes for Playing with Blanks
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Blanks are never passed during the ROLLOR swap.
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Blanks may not be exchanged during a player's own turn.
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Blanks are “dead” when discarded and cannot be called.
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Only one blank can be discreetly exchanged at a time.
Playing with Blank Tiles
Q: What are “blanks”?
A: Blanks are the blank white tiles included with a mahjong set. When playing with blank tiles, or “blanks”, they are considered a wild tile. They are frequently referred to as “zombie tiles” as well. Many sets have 6 blanks and are used to strategically help players achieve a winning Mahjong hand.
Q: How are blanks used?
A: Blanks are used to discreetly exchange a previously “discarded” or “dead” tile from the mat during another player’s turn. A dead tile from the mat is subtly swapped with a blank tile and then immediately racked. Players do not announce the exchange.
Q: When are blanks played?
A: Blanks may be exchanged at any time during play, except on the player’s turn. Blanks are played in a “sneaky” subtle way, so that other players do not notice what tile is being exchanged.
Q: If I draw a blank tile on my turn, can I use it to call Mahjong?
A: YES. Normally a blank may NOT be exchanged on your turn, however, if the 14th tile drawn is a blank, and the tile you need for Mahjong has already been discarded, you may exchange the blank tile to immediately call Mahjong.
Q: Can I exchange multiple blanks to call for Mahjong?
A: NO. Racked blanks may not be used simultaneously to call Mahjong. All blank tiles must be exchanged before calling Mahjong.
Q: How many blanks can you exchange from the mat at a time?
A: ONE. You may only exchange one blank at a time. It must be during another player's turn.
Q: Can I use a blank to exchange for a Joker?
A: No. Blanks may not be exchanged for a discarded Joker or an exposed Joker.Discarded Jokers are always dead and may not be used with blanks for an exchange or pick up. Blank tiles are never used in an exposure and therefore cannot be exchanged for an exposed Joker.
The R.O.L.L.O.R. Swap
Q: What is the R.O.L.L.O.R. Swap?
A: Before play begins, it is the process of swapping up to 21 tiles to improve a mahjong hand.
It is often referred to as the Charleston in American Mahjong.
The swapping of tiles is done three tiles at a time in “ROLLOR” order, broken up into two rounds.
Round 1 (R.O.L.) is mandatory. Any player can end the Swap after the Round 1.
If the Round 2 (L.O.R.) begins, it must be completed.
The swap ends with the courtesy pass.
Q: When can I do a Blind Pass in the R.O.L.L.O.R. Swap?
A: A blind pass can occur during the 1st Left pass in Round 1, and during the 2nd, or Final, Right pass in Round 2.
Players have the option to pass one, two, or three tiles blindly. This means they will pass a portion of the tiles passed to them, with the tiles remaining facedown and unseen.
Players must always pass three tiles during each turn of the Swap. If a player selects less than three tiles to pass during the first L pass or final R pass, the player can supplement the remaining number of 0-3 tiles needed by ‘blindly’ choosing and passing on without looking at the tile(s).
Q: When can a player stop the R.O.L.L.O.R. Swap?
A: Any player may stop the swap after the mandatory first round and before the optional second round begins. Once stopped, players do not proceed with round two but do have the option to courtesy pass.
Q: What is the Courtesy Pass?
A: The Courtesy Pass takes place after the R.O.L.L.O.R. Swap. Players determine how many of the three unwanted tiles to courtesy pass with the player sitting opposite at the table. If less than three tiles are passed, the lowest number of tiles willing to be passed determines how many tiles will be passed to the person across.
Tile Terms / Melds
The International Mahjong Card is a game of kongs, pungs, pairs, singles and chows!
Q: What is a SINGLE tile?
A: A single tile is any ONE individual tile.
Q: What is a PAIR of tiles?
A: A pair of tiles is TWO identical tiles, same suit.
Q: What is a PUNG of tiles?
A: A pung is THREE identical tiles, same suit.
Q: What is a KONG of tiles?
A: A Kong is FOUR identical tiles, same suit.
Q: What is a CHOW of tiles?
A: A Chow is THREE consecutive number tiles, same suit.
