Answer: Jokers can only be used in sets of 3, 4, 5, or more. **
But what, I hear you ask, defines a set? Simple:
a set is all tiles exactly the same.
For example:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5cbx8apKrPXoeuhw7GQQwl8F6GqSV_74TTUpXAhNMR4yUN7wyFqJPLxHDf95DYMNv8U-H16EhQl188JyHtZTNLfMuvD_pKk-5l3T8mN91wgbVgVbjBFhPSsMjusCGtQnMXYQ0j1kAQA/s320/MJ+Blog+002.jpg)
3 Nine Dots
4 Flowers (I know they look different, but they're the same. Trust me.)
4 Souths
On the right, you see the same sets, but with jokers included.
Without jokers, Quints (sets of five) are simply impossible!
Do I need to have a representative tile in a set? What? Can I have an all-joker set to represent, say, 3 Nine Dots?
All-joker sets are just fine and dandy. Except your opponents may turn plaid with envy.
No-go Country for Jokers
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXwn7s_KnI_3CNcoJSt6Pe1aauqq04Rrslr-v-G7SD71NBfztOfPNGPOdpRej8a6ChLETqFarQaz34ZiCXhH5fYDCGzJqDVZRJ6owU4ZzKfoUIUE5Sgsnksh-KYPJnR-DUaFGD1qpcsA/s320/MJ+Blog+007.jpg)
Not in the 2012 (year) groupings either. See? There's no place for the Joker. Sad, sad joker. And sad, sad player who calls "Mah Jongg" with that in their hand.
* Sometimes this question is expressed a bit more colorfully, but I have cleaned up the language for clarity.
** Yes, sometimes there are sets requiring 6--yes, 6--duplicate tiles. Crazy, yet, but it's been known to happen.
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