Definition
Playing with an open rack means a beginner plays with their tiles visible so the table can help between decisions.
A generous convention for teaching nights. Agree it up front so it does not feel like charity mid-hand.
At the table
Playing with racks face out is a teaching convention rather than a rule of play. A beginner who can see three other racks watches decisions instead of guessing at them. Agree it before the deal, and expect to drop it once the table is playing at pace, since open racks change the game once anyone starts defending.
Also called training wheels.
Read the full guide: How to Host a Mahjong Game Night People Come Back To.
See it on real tiles. The AI coach reads a dealt hand, free, and names the direction it goes for, what to keep and what to pass, at the free read.
Want the coach on call? The Club adds the coach for your own tiles and for each morning’s hand, all 10 lessons, and every new NMJL card taught the week it lands, for $14.99 a month, cancel anytime. See what the Club includes.
Related: Hot tile, Direction, Safe tile, Self-picked. All 52 terms.