Etiquette in mahjong

While not part of the rules directly, etiquette should be followed when playing any sort of mahjong. They are important to maintain a positive game environment. In more casual settings, the etiquette can be relaxed.

Etiquette principles

Much of the etiquette stems on one simple principle: Respect for the game and respect for the players. As long as players can adhere to this concept, then everyone at the mahjong table can play with a positive game environment.

The exact level of expectation will vary by decorum. Professional settings require a very high level of etiquette, by which a break in protocol may warrant some penalties or some disciplinary action. On the other hand, casual settings provide a more relaxed environment, especially in a game played among friends.

Specific guidelines

A number of guidelines point to specific aspects to the game.

Knowledge

If you are relatively new to the game, it's ok to not get these right away, if the group tolerates it. However, experienced players are expected to know these.

Make sure to know the rule variations used in the current game.
Pay attention to the game state - current round, round wind, seat wind, honba, etc.
Know how to calculate your hand's han, fu, and point value quickly.
Know what types of tiles you want to call on before they are discarded.

Handling of tiles

Try to play quickly. If everyone played slowly, the game would take ages. 5s/turn (the norm for online clients) is a good baseline. Remember that, since you have to physically draw and discard tiles, playing with tiles feels faster than playing online.
Do not touch another player's wall or tiles without good reason.
When making the walls, you should push them forward a bit to make them easier to reach. Don't push them when gameplay starts unless someone asks.
Do not draw your tile before the previous player has made a discard (outside of very casual settings). Picking up the tile right after the discard is OK; if an opponent calls pon and skips your turn, just put it back.
Draw and discard tiles with only one hand (using the same hand for both). This decreases the perception of cheating.
Do not slam tiles on the table.
When winning by tsumo, do not put the winning tile in the middle of the hand. Put the winning tile separated from the hand, then reveal the hand when winning.
- In serious settings, putting the tile inside your hand before winning can invalidate pinfu or the extra fu from waits like tanki (people can't prove which tile was the winning one, thus it can't be proven which wait you had).
When winning by ron, do not grab the winning tile from the other player's pond.
Reveal the ura dora on the table so that people can see it.

Point exchanges

Point exchanges are best done efficiently and with proper display. Instead of paying a 3900 hand with three 1000 sticks and 900 points, it is more efficient to give a 5000 point stick while receiving 1100 points in return.
Do not hand point sticks directly to players. Instead, place the proper amount of points in the play area. This lets all players see the point exchange clearly.
If possible, players should try to retain at least one 1000 point stick in possession at all times. If out of 1000 point sticks, players should exchange larger sticks to attain change from another player. This exchange is best done just before the next tile shuffle. However, if necessary, you should ask before declaring a riichi. Asking for change any other time is considered disruptive.

Verbal cues

Have a poker face. (This also helps with gameplay!)
Calling:
- When calling for pon/kan, do so as soon as the discarded tile is played.
- When calling for chii, wait a few moments to let other players call pon, then call before the next player's turn.
- These guidelines prevent the situation where: a player calls chii, revealing that they want that tile, then another player calls pon to deny said chii.
Don't be too loud.
Be gracious. Don't be too dramatic when you had a big hand but couldn't win. Don't be a sore loser after a losing streak. We get it, it feels bad. Similarly, don't gloat or provoke others when you win big.
When winning a hand, it may or may not be expected to call your yaku when winning (e.g. "Ron. Chun, 1 dora. 2000 points"). In Western tournaments, players often call out each yaku. In mahjong parlors, just say the point value directly.

External links

(麻雀)日本健康麻将協会　健康麻将（マージャン）　マナー集 (YouTube)

Etiquette video produced by Kenko mahjong