Question: If a player knows they have a dead hand, should they announce it and stop playing?

Answer: A player should not call their hand dead, even if their hand is no longer viable. Instead, they should continue to play defensively doing whatever is necessary to throw only safe tiles and/or Jokers.

A player’s hand is not officially dead until it is declared dead by another player. Once this occurs, the player with the dead hand stops playing. Also refer to ID151-Calling a Player’s Hand Dead-Strategy or Not?

Source:  Mah Jongg Made Easy 2024 Edition, pgs. 19, #15 (a), 20, #18 & 31, para. 8