Can you swap your joker for a tile in someone's exposure?
By Jerry Chen. Checked and updated November 1, 2026
Short answer: no
No. This "reverse redeem" is not allowed. Exchanges only go one way: your real tile for their joker.
The detail
You can redeem a joker by giving the matching real tile for it. You cannot do the opposite and give a joker to take a real tile out of an exposure.
This is in the joker rules in the League's rulebook.
Sources
These follow standard National Mah Jongg League rules. House rules vary; agree on them before you play.
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