What happens if someone picks out of turn?
By Jerry Chen. Checked and updated November 1, 2026
Short answer: hand can be called dead
Their hand can be called dead. There are two exceptions at the very start of the game, before East has discarded.
The detail
Picking out of turn, like picking from the wrong end of the wall, is a reason to call a hand dead.
If someone other than East picks and discards the first tile after the Charleston, the hand is thrown in and dealt again.
If someone other than East discards first without picking, they take the tile back and East begins.
Sources
These follow standard National Mah Jongg League rules. House rules vary; agree on them before you play.
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