Exposed vs. Concealed Mahjong Hands
The card distinguishes hands that may be exposed from hands that must stay concealed. That distinction affects calling, joker use, defensive information, and how a winning tile may be obtained.
Side-by-side rules
Exposed hand
May call a discard to complete a legal group of three or more identical tiles. Eligible groups may contain jokers. Exposures remain visible for the rest of the hand.
Concealed hand
Must be completed without ordinary calls and without exposing groups during play. A final discard may generally be called for mahjong when the complete hand is otherwise legal.
How to identify a concealed line
- Look for the concealed marking used on the current card.
- Read notes applying to the entire section.
- Do not assume a hand is exposed merely because it contains pungs or kongs.
- Confirm before making the first call.
- Remember that a mistaken exposure can make the hand dead.
Advantages of exposing
Calling can complete difficult groups quickly, capture a needed discard, and make joker exchanges available later. It can also simplify the hand by locking in a correct block.
Advantages of staying concealed
A concealed hand reveals little, preserves flexibility, and can be harder for opponents to defend against. It also avoids committing too early to one line.
Exposure status belongs to the whole hand
“Exposed” does not mean every group must be face up. It means the hand permits exposures. A player may still complete an exposed hand entirely from the wall.
Exposure-status questions
Can a concealed hand use jokers?
Yes, if the joker appears in an eligible group of three or more identical tiles and the hand remains physically concealed during play.
Can an exposed hand be won from the wall?
Yes. “Exposed” means calls are permitted, not required.
Can a concealed hand call the winning tile?
Generally yes, when the discard completes the entire legal hand rather than an intermediate exposure.