How many jokers are in American mahjong?
There are 8 jokers in an American mahjong set. They are wild, but only in groups of three or more identical tiles (pungs, kongs, quints and sextets), never in a single tile or a pair, and you can never pass a joker in the Charleston.
Where jokers work
Pungs, kongs, quints and sextets. Quints and sextets always need jokers, since most tiles only come in fours.
Where they don't
Never as a single tile and never in a pair.
Swapping for a joker
On your turn, if a player has an exposed joker and you hold the real tile it stands for, you can swap it in and take the joker.
Jokerless hands
A winning hand with no jokers usually pays double.
Common questions
Can you use a joker for a pair?
No. Jokers only work in groups of three or more identical tiles.
Can you call a discarded joker?
No. A joker that has been discarded is dead: nobody can call it.
Why do some sets have more than 8 jokers?
Many sets ship with extras as spares. You still play with 8.