Definition
Racking is placing a drawn tile into your rack among your own tiles, and it matters because once the next player has racked the tile they drew, or discarded, the previous discard can no longer be called.
This is the clock on every call. If you want a discard, say so before the next player racks or discards. A tile held in the hand, set on top of the rack or left in front of it is not racked, so the window is still open. The sanctioned tournament rules ask players to pause for a second between picking and racking so the table has a fair chance to call.
At the table
Racking is the clock on every call, and a fast game makes it easy to miss. If you want the discard, say so before the next player racks the tile they drew or discards. Reaching for the wall or turning a tile over does not close the window. The mistake is hesitating politely and then claiming a tile that is already gone.
Read the full guide: Calling and Exposing in American Mahjong: When, How, and When Not 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: Calling, Exposure, Meld, Discard. All 52 terms.