Sextet
A sextet is six identical tiles, the largest group in American Mahjong. A sextet of suit tiles needs at least two Jokers, but six Flowers can make one alone.
Definition
A sextet is a group of six identical tiles, the largest group in American Mahjong. A set has only four of each suit, Wind and Dragon tile, so a sextet of any of those needs at least two Jokers. Flowers are the exception: an American set has eight Flowers, so a sextet of Flowers can be made without Jokers.
How It Works in Gameplay
A sextet has to be exposed all at once as one group of six, not built up as two pungs. Completing one means gathering six matching tiles, which for suit tiles means at least two Jokers and often more. Because a sextet can use so many Jokers, going for one often means competing with the other players for the eight Jokers in the set. Once you expose a sextet, the other players will be careful about discarding anything that could help you finish.
Example
Suppose a hand on your card calls for a sextet of 1 Bams. You hold three 1 Bams and two Jokers. Another player discards a 1 Bam, and you call it to expose the sextet: four natural 1 Bams and two Jokers, face up on your rack. The table now plays carefully around what you still need.
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