Question: Sometimes we don’t have a 4th player. Is there a way to play with 3 people?

Answer: Yes, absolutely. When playing with three people, follow these steps and important points about the game:

1. Build the Walls: The walls are built just as in four-handed Mah Jongg.
2. Tile Distribution: Tiles are dealt out with East taking the first tile, the next player takes the next tile, and this continues until all players have 13 tiles.
3. East’s 14th Tile: East takes their 14th tile.
4. Empty Seat: No tiles are given to the empty seat.
5. The Charleston: The Charleston phase is omitted from this version of the game.
6. Starting the Game: East begins the game by discarding their 14th tile but does not pick, just like in the 4-handed Mah Jongg.
7. Continuing Play: Play continues with each player picking and discarding as usual.

Source: Mah Jongg Made Easy 2020 page 26