Does the jokerless bonus apply to singles and pairs?
By Jerry Chen. Checked and updated November 1, 2026
Short answer: no
No. The jokerless double never applies to singles-and-pairs hands, which cannot use jokers anyway. It does not apply to the Quints section either.
The detail
Their card values already allow for the difficulty. The usual payment doubles (discarder pays double, a self-pick is paid double by all) still apply.
Quints cannot usually be made without jokers, and Tom Sloper notes the bonus does not apply in that section; its difficulty is built into the card value.
Sources
These follow standard National Mah Jongg League rules. House rules vary; agree on them before you play.
Related questions
- Can you use a joker in a pair?
- What happens to a dead hand?
- Who pays double when someone wins?
- Is your hand jokerless if someone redeemed your joker?
- Can you discard a joker?
- Can you call a discarded joker?
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See more questions in Winning and paying, the complete rules, or all 52 rule questions.