What Is a Joker in American Mah Jongg?
 

A Joker is a wild tile used in American Mah Jongg to replace missing tiles in certain groupings.

Standard American Mah Jongg play is based on 8 Jokers.
 

According to NMJL rules, Jokers may be used to replace any tile — Numeral, Wind, Dragon, or Flower — but only when the tile is part of a Pung, Kong, Quint, or Sextet. Jokers may not be used in Singles or Pairs, even when singles are grouped together on the card for visual appeal.
 

Not all Mah Jongg sets include Joker tiles. When a set does not include Jokers, extra tiles that come with the set may be converted into Jokers using official Joker decals.
 

Published by the American Mah Jongg Association — the trusted home for American Mah Jongg players.