Definition
A bettor is a player sitting out at a table of five or six who, once the Charleston is done and before play begins, secretly bets on which player will declare mah jongg or on a wall game, and then collects or pays on that bet.
The bettor takes no part in play, may look at the racks once the Charleston is done, and must stay silent, because any interference voids the bet. If the pick was a player, the bettor collects alongside them when they win and otherwise pays the winner what that player owed. A correct wall-game bet collects the lowest value on the current card from each player.
At the table
With five or six at the table, whoever is sitting out can bet, so they still have a stake in the hand. The bettor may look at the racks once the Charleston is done, may not say a word, and cannot change the bet once East makes the first discard. A comment from the bettor can change how a hand plays, which is why any interference voids the bet.
Read the full guide: How Many People Can Play American Mahjong?
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Related: Wall game, East, Pie, Self-picked. All 52 terms.