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MAHJ — Lesson 9

Starting the Game

What happens each turn once play begins

Goal: Understand the turn-by-turn flow so you know exactly what to do on your turn

Estimated time: 12–15 minutesNeedsLesson 8UnlocksLesson 10

Why it matters: Once tiles start moving, knowing turn order and the calling window keeps you from missing tiles — or breaking a rule by accident.

Section 1 of 5

How Play Flows

Play Begins

The Charleston is over. Now players take turns, one at a time.

East starts with a discard. In this example, you're East. After that, play moves to the right — counter-clockwise around the table.

Play moves right

around the table, counter-clockwise

You discard to start. Tap whose turn is next.

A little more detail

East starts with 14 tiles, so East begins by discarding rather than drawing.

A call can jump the order. After the caller takes the discard, exposes the group, and discards, play continues with the player on the caller's right.

When a wall runs out, the player on your left pushes out the next wall.