Intermediate · 2 practice decisions

Recognize when to pivot

Compare the work ahead from the rack you have now, including natural bottlenecks and exposures.

Practise this

Use a trigger, not impatience

Several unhelpful draws can feel like a reason to change hands. A stronger trigger is concrete: an incoming pair fits a nearby alternative, a required natural becomes unavailable, or an exposure changes which candidates remain possible. Ask what changed before rebuilding your plan.

Count the cost of switching

Compare both candidates after the proposed discard. Include the tiles you must abandon, mandatory singles and pairs, the visible supply, and the wall remaining. A candidate that ignores one of your exposures is not an option, however attractive the concealed part of the rack looks.

Distinguish blocked from unlikely

Without blanks, a required natural pair cannot be completed if too few copies remain obtainable. That is stronger evidence than merely needing several tiles late in the hand. Tiles hidden in opponents’ racks are unknown; do not treat all unseen copies as guaranteed draws.

Make a decision you can explain

State the reason in one sentence: “The original pair is unavailable; this alternative keeps my exposed kong and needs three attainable tiles.” If the current hand is still close and the alternative adds work, staying can be sensible. A coach recommending another line does not by itself make staying an error.

Try a decision

Standard rules, no blanks. Your target needs a pair of 6 Dots. You hold one and the other three have been discarded. A nearby alternative fits your exposures and needs three tiles with remaining unseen copies.

What is the sensible next step?

• Keep waiting for the second 6 Dot
• Reassess toward the compatible alternative