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ID144-Joker Strategy

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ID144-Joker Strategy

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Question: Is there any strategy when using jokers?

Answers: Absolutely there is. Check out this article:

Jokers play a significant role in Mah Jongg, similar to wild cards in card games. They provide opportunities for strategic gameplay. Here are some of the key strategies to consider when using jokers:

  1. Utilize jokers in Sets: Unlike card games with limited joker usage, Mah Jongg allows for unlimited jokers in pungs, kongs or quints. When you receive jokers in your initial tiles or pick them from the wall during the game, it increases your chances of winning a hand. To maintain an element of surprise, it is advisable not to reveal your excitement when picking up a joker from the wall. This can prevent opponents from gaining knowledge about your hand.
  2. Joker placement: The placement of  jokers on your rack (sloped part) can provide subtle clues to other players. Instead of immediately placing a joker all the way to the left, consider randomly placing it among your tiles. Later on, you can strategically move it to the front, keeping your opponents guessing about your hand composition.
  3. Discarding Jokers: W hen discarding a joker, you have several naming conventions to choose from: “joker,” “same,” or the name of the previously discarded tile. Each naming convention has its own implications. Naming it “joker” draws attention to your hand, revealing that you are likely playing a singles and pairs hand or waiting for specific tiles. Naming it the same as the previously discarded tile alerts opponents if it is a tile they need. However, the smartest choice is to name it “same.” This ensures that players who are not paying close attention to the table might miss the joker’s significance, giving you an advantage.
  4. Discarding Natural Tiles: In certain situations, it can be advantageous to discard a natural tile instead of a joker. For example, if you have already arranged your hand and are ready to declare Mah Jongg, but you pick up a joker on your turn, consider adding the joker to an existing pung or Kong and discard a natural tile instead. This prevents revealing too much information about your hand, especially if you have exposed tiles on your rack.
  5. Joker Exchanges: Joker exchanges can be beneficial as they add one more tile towards completing your hand. However, be cautious not to make your opponents jokerless and incur penalties if playing for money. Assess the situation before executing a joker exchange, especially if your opponent has exposures. Additionally, consider doing a joker exchange during the end game (38 tiles or less) as it provides you with a safe tile to discard when you have many risky tiles in your hand. However, be mindful of not making your opponent’s hand jokerless inadvertently. It’s important to note that these strategies may not apply if you are attempting to make a jokerless hand or playing a Singles & Pairs hand. Written by Debbie Barnett, Director of Administration at MahjCon. MahjCon is an annual multi-day conference for Mah Jongg enthusiasts of all levels. For more information about MahjCon, visit www.mahjcon.com or contact Debbie at debbie@mahjcon.com.

 

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