Stop the Slide: The best way to break the wall in American mahjong

What is the best way to break the wall in American mahjong?

Extend, roll, pull back.

It doesn’t matter what your teacher taught you: we must stop East from doing “the slide.” I don’t always think the NMJL rule book has to be followed. In this case, I believe the illustration on page 10 of the NMJL official book should be used.

Here are three reasons to break the wall from the extended position in American mahjong:

• Space

• Visibility

• Avoid Arguments

Extend the wall. Roll the dice. Pull Back.

Space

Space is usually tight on a square game table. On any table, there is room to extend the wall out to the center, roll the dice and then pull back the tiles to the very far right side of the rack.

When I started playing on my automatic table, it was a tight fit to have the racks and the bigger tiles on the table. Then, as I invested in the fancier, larger racks for my folding table, I also found myself with a very tight space.  

Sliding the tiles or rack to the side may work when you roll 4, but finding a space to slide 8 or more is a challenge. Imagine rolling a 12 on a smaller table!

Missy Mahjong and the rule book

Visibility

Not that I am worried about any Cheatin’ Chelsea at my table, but the extend, roll, pull back method is visible to all players.

If East slides the wall over to the right, it is in the tiny corner by their right arm. Tiles could fall off, get forgotten in the corner or miscounted.

Avoid arguments

Have you ever played with someone that is obsessed with “the rules” from NMJL? I have known a Rules Ruth in every state. To make sure she recognizes you as a honorable player, use the method that you can cite in the NMJL official book on page 10.

I have heard so many complaints about “touching the tiles.” To minimize this, use the pusher to extend the wall, then roll the dice and only use tension to pull the ends of the wall back once. If you slide, you push out to the side and again to push the wall back. That double touching of the wall may irritate Rules Ruth.

What do I really think?

Honestly, I don’t usually have too much of an opinion about “the rules.” On this, I always teach to extend, roll and pull back and recommend it as best practice. It isn’t for me about anything except the easiest way to break the wall consistently, regardless of table size.

Let’s make this game a little easier and stop the slide.

Extend the wall. Roll the dice. Break the wall.