Question: I was invited to play in a 14-Tile game but declined because I am a newer player and I was told it is a fast game. What exactly is a 14-Tile game?

Answer: The 14-Tile game, is a variation of the the 13-Tile game. It was once played but this version of the game was abolished in 1947 when a new rule was incorporated on the back of the National Mah Jongg Card stating, “1. NO PICKING OR LOOKING AHEAD.” Some people still enjoy and play this version now considered a table rule.

Here is a summary of the 14-Tile version:

A player’s 14th tile is already in their rack and since you don’t pick, decide if you want a tile and discard, this version goes much faster because you have until your turn to decide on your discard.

There is one major drawback with this version of the game. If you happen to discard and then pick up your winning Mah Jongg Tile (which is the 14th tile), you cannot declare Mah Jongg until your next turn. If you pick your Mah Jongg tile, and someone else is sitting with Mah Jongg before it gets to your turn, they would get the win and not you.

The National Mah Jongg League does not condone a 14 tile game, which was abolished in 1947. It is included as a rule on the back of the National Mah Jongg Card as, “1. NO PICKING OR LOOKING AHEAD.”

See also ID53, The League on House Rules

Source: Mah Jongg Made Easy 2024, pg. 19 (g)