1Where a joker can and cannot go
Groups of three or more: yes. Pairs and singles: no.
| Group | Joker allowed? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Single tile | ✗ No | A joker must be part of a group of identical tiles. |
| Pair (2) | ✗ No | Pairs must be two real tiles. |
| Pung (3) | ✓ Yes | Up to all three can be jokers. |
| Kong (4) | ✓ Yes | Any number of jokers. |
| Quint (5) | ✓ Yes | Number quints always need a joker: there are only four of each number. |
| Sextet (6) | ✓ Yes | Number sextets always need at least two jokers. |
| Singles and Pairs hands | ✗ No | These hands have no groups of three, so they can never use jokers. |
2How often will you get a joker?
About half of all starting hands (52%) hold at least one joker. Two or more jokers is much rarer: about 1 hand in 7.
| Jokers in your hand | 13-tile hand | East’s 14-tile hand |
|---|---|---|
| None | 48% | 45% |
| Exactly one | 38% | 39% |
| Exactly two | 12% | 13% |
| Two or more | 14% | 16% |
| Average number | 0.68 | 0.74 |
3Joker swaps (redeeming a joker)
On your turn, if you hold the real tile a joker stands for in an exposed group, you can trade it for the joker.
- Wait for your turn.You can swap after you draw, or after you call a discard, but before you discard.
- Find a joker on the table.Look at every player’s exposed groups, including your own.
- Give the real tile.Put your matching tile into that group and take the joker.
- Swap again if you can.You may make more than one swap in a turn. Then discard as usual.
4Discarding a joker
A discarded joker is gone for good: nobody can call it.
- Nobody can call a discarded joker, not even for Mahjong.
- Throwing a joker is legal, but it is almost always a mistake. Keep it unless your hand truly cannot use it, such as a Singles and Pairs hand.
- Late in the game, a joker is a safe discard: it cannot give anyone Mahjong.
5Jokerless hands pay double
If you win without using a single joker, every payment is doubled.
A hand with no jokers in it, exposed or concealed, is called jokerless. Everyone pays you twice the normal amount.
The exception is hands from the Singles and Pairs section: they can never use jokers, so they do not get the bonus.
6Joker strategy
Jokers are your most valuable tiles. Count them, keep them, and use swaps to get more.
- Pick hands with big groups.If you hold two or more jokers, aim for hands with kongs and quints, where jokers help the most.
- Keep count.There are 8 jokers. If 5 are already on the table, the others are less likely to have any.
- Expose to swap.When you show a pung with a joker, others can take that joker. Hold the group back if you can.
- Use swaps on others.Watch other players’ exposures for jokers you can win with your real tiles.
Questions people ask
How many jokers are in American mahjong?
There are 8 jokers in an American mahjong set of 152 tiles.
Can a joker be used in a pair in American mahjong?
No. A joker can only be used in a group of three or more identical tiles: a pung, kong, quint or sextet.
Can you pass jokers in the Charleston?
No. Jokers can never be passed during the Charleston, including the courtesy pass.
Can you pick up a discarded joker?
No. Once a joker is discarded, nobody can call it.
What is a joker swap in mahjong?
On your turn, if you have the real tile that a joker is standing in for in any exposed group, you can give that tile and take the joker. This is also called redeeming a joker.
What are the odds of getting a joker in the deal?
About 52% of 13-tile starting hands contain at least one joker, and about 14% contain two or more. On average a hand holds 0.68 jokers.