This drill asks whether you can call a discard for a stated group or exchange a matching natural tile for an exposed joker.
This drill asks whether a stated group can be called or a shown joker can be exchanged. It does not ask what appears on any annual card, whether you should choose a complete hand, or whether a legal move is the best strategy.
For a call question, read the goal first. Then compare the newest discard with the tiles visible in your rack.
A discard may be called to expose a group of three, four, five, or six identical tile identities. A discard may not be called just to expose a single or pair. It may be called for a single or pair only when that tile completes the hand and the player declares mah jongg. The called discard must be the natural tile identity needed by the stated group, and the tiles exposed with it must be matching naturals or permitted jokers.
Some scenarios add a clear concealed-hand condition:
When pursuing a hand that must remain concealed, do not call a discard for an exposure. A discard may still be called when it is the final tile needed to declare mah jongg.
For an exchange question, check whose turn it is, the natural tile in your rack, and the natural tile shown in each exposed group.
You may exchange for an exposed joker only during your turn, after bringing a fourteenth tile into your hand by drawing or by completing a called exposure, and before you discard. To take an exposed joker, give the exposure's owner a natural tile that exactly matches the natural tile identity represented in that exposure. You may exchange a matching natural tile for a joker in one of your own exposures as well as in another player's exposure.
The examples may place a joker inside an isolated group:
A joker may stand in for a natural tile only inside a group of three or more identical tile identities.
For a call question, choose Call or Pass. For an exchange question, choose the natural tile and exposed joker, or choose No exchange now. A first miss gives you a hint based on the visible tiles. A second miss reveals the answer and keeps the explanation on screen.
Passing in this exercise means that the stated call is not available. It is not a judgment about what you might choose strategically during a real round.
Decide whether the stated group can be called. You are not deciding whether a real card hand allows it.
Scenario 1 of 6 ยท Joker exchange
Goal: You are collecting a group of 5 Craks.
Turn: Your turn, after drawing. You may exchange before you discard.
and 11 more tiles not shown
Goal: You are collecting three 7 Craks.
Question: Can you call this discard?
Answer: Call with crak-7:1, crak-7:2
Solution: Call the discarded 7 Crak. Place your two 7 Craks with it to show the group of three.
Goal: You are collecting three 5 Dots.
Question: Can you call this discard?
Answer: Call with dot-5:1, joker:1
Solution: Call the discarded 5 Dot. Show it with your 5 Dot and joker as a group of three.
Goal: You are collecting a group of green dragons.
Question: Is there a joker exchange available in the shown exposure?
Answer: No exchange
Solution: Make no exchange. The group has three natural Green Dragons and no joker to take.
Goal: You are collecting a group of red dragons.
Question: Can you exchange for the exposed joker now?
Answer: No exchange
Solution: Do not exchange yet. Your Red Dragon matches, but it is the turn of the player across from you.
Goal: You are collecting a group of 5 Craks.
Question: Can you exchange for the exposed joker now?
Answer: Exchange crak-5:4 for joker:1
Solution: Give your 5 Crak to the player on your right and take the joker from the exposed 5 Craks.
Goal: You are collecting a group of 8 Bams.
Question: Can you exchange for your exposed joker now?
Answer: Exchange bam-8:3 for joker:2
Solution: Exchange your 8 Bam for the joker in your own exposed group.
Goal: You are collecting a group of 7 Craks.
Question: Which exposed joker can you exchange for?
Answer: Exchange crak-7:3 for joker:5
Solution: Exchange your 7 Crak for the joker beside the exposed 7 Craks on the rack to your right.
Goal: You are collecting a group of 3 Dots.
Question: Can you exchange for the exposed joker with a tile in your rack?
Answer: No exchange
Solution: Make no exchange. Your 3 Bam does not match the exposed 3 Dots.
Goal: You are collecting three Red Dragons, and your hand must remain concealed.
Question: Can you call this discard?
Answer: Pass
Solution: Pass the Red Dragon. Calling it would expose your group before the hand is complete.
Goal: You are collecting a pair of 4 Bams, and your hand would continue after making it.
Question: Can you call this discard?
Answer: Pass
Solution: Pass the 4 Bam. The pair would not complete your hand.
Goal: You are collecting one East wind, and your hand would continue after taking it.
Question: Can you call this discard?
Answer: Pass
Solution: Pass the East because taking it would leave your hand unfinished.
Goal: You are collecting three 6 Dots.
Question: Can you call this discard?
Answer: Pass
Solution: Pass the 6 Bam. You need another 6 Dot to complete this group.
When you want the explanation before another session, read joker rules or return to practice home.
Three jokers may fill a concealed three-tile group because jokers can stand inside groups of three or more matching tiles. A called exposure is different: the discard being called must be the matching natural tile, so a three-tile exposure made by calling would include that natural discard rather than three jokers alone. Jokers still cannot stand as singles or in pairs. Learn more in Find a possible exchange.
Start with skills you can practice from visible tiles. Name one face at a time, then sort a mixed rack by family and put each numbered suit in order. Next, use small examples to compare a discard with a stated group or a natural tile with an exposed joker. You do not need an annual card for these exercises, and they never ask you to build a complete hand. Learn more in Shuffle and build four walls.
