Question: When you want a discard for an exposure, is saying “Call,” the same as saying “Claim”?

Answer: No. Saying “Call” and “Claim” are not the same.

When you say “Call,” you are announcing your intent to take the most recently discarded tile. At this stage, you may still change your mind.

The tile is not officially “Claimed” until you physically act on that intent—by taking the discarded tile and either placing it on top of your rack or exposing tiles to complete the exposure. Once that happens, the claim is final and cannot be reversed.

Bottom line:

• Call = verbal notice of intent

• Claim = physical action that makes it official

This distinction matters because intent alone does not obligate the player—action does.

Source: 2026 National Mah Jongg League Bulletin