A few players have expressed concern over having to click "Ignore" on each discard.
We know that some platforms offer “Call/Ignore” only when the computer knows the player has what is required in their hand to call the discarded tile. However, we've been reluctant to do this. We believe Mah Jongg is as much a brain exercise as it is a game, and so our aim is to have players make decisions on each tile (just as they would in a real, in-person game), instead of the computer making some of these decisions for them, which leads to lazy play. In a real game, a player can't just sit back and wait for someone to tap them on the shoulder to let them know they can call a discard. Players have to pay attention to each and every discarded tile, and make split-second decisions as to whether to call it or not.
Also, on other platforms, when the computer occasionally pauses to offer the call/ignore choice, this gives clues to the other players at the table regarding the tiles that particular player is holding. For example, if the game started to pause for someone on each discarded tile, the other players would have a pretty good idea that that particular player has at least a couple of jokers. This is not a clue that would ever be available in an in-person game.
At the same time, we acknowledge that it can slow the game down when players forget to click the “Ignore” button. So, we offer what we think is the best of both worlds: the auto-ignore timer.
Here’s how it works: Once a tile has been discarded a timer will start (you’ll see it next to the Ignore button) and the tile will automatically be ignored if a player has not reacted within that time frame. We feel this is pretty close to a live game interaction, where players have just a few seconds to call a tile before the next player picks from the wall and racks their tile.
Don’t worry though, we have built in a “Hold on a minute!!” feature. Next to the timer is a “Pause” button, which can be used when more thinking time is required (for instance, when having to re-work your hand mid-game).
The length of the timer can be set by the table leader before the game starts (above the Start Game button). Options are 4 sec, 6 sec, 8 sec, 10 sec or Off.
We feel the combination of the Ignore, Timer and Pause options brings the game as close as possible to an in-person experience.
For more information on our philosophy, check out this article.