Pung
A pung is a group of three identical tiles, such as three 5 Bams. You can build one from your own tiles or call a discard to finish it, and Jokers can fill in.
Definition
A pung (also spelled pong) is a group of three identical tiles, for example three 5 Bams or three West Winds. Pungs are a basic building block in most forms of mahjong. In American Mahjong a pung can also be three Flowers, and Jokers can stand in for any of its tiles.
How It Works in Gameplay
You can form a pung in two ways. You can collect all three tiles yourself from the deal, the Charleston, and your draws from the wall. Or you can hold two matching tiles (or one tile and a Joker) and call the third when any player discards it. A called pung goes face up on your rack as an exposure. Many hands on the NMJL card use pungs, and they are often the easiest groups to complete. Before exposing one, think about how much it tells the other players about your hand.
Example
You hold two 8 Craks. The player across the table discards an 8 Crak. You call it, take the tile, and place all three 8 Craks face up on your rack as an exposed pung. Then you discard a tile you don't need, and play continues.
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