Illustration No. 10.
Several completed hands
As completing a hand entirely by draw from the wall would be a difficult task, the players are permitted to make use of any discard, as it is discarded, provided they have the required tiles already in their hand as explained below in "Chow" and "Pung."
E. To Chow:
A player having two tiles in his hand which, together with the tile just discarded by the player before him (to his left), would form a sequence or run of three, may by announcing "Chow" pick up the discard, add it to the two in his hand, and place the three in sequence face up on the table to the right of his hand. This appropriating the discard serves as the player's draw and he must then discard and the play goes on in the usual manner.
For example: If one has a 5-6 of character and the player preceding him discards either a 4 or a 7 of character, he may "Chow" the tile, and discard; or ignore it and draw from the wall and discard, in hopes of building a better hand, as often will be found advisable.
The main point to be remembered in "Chowing" is that a player may "Chow" only in his regular turn, i.e., he may "Chow" only tiles discarded by the player to his left and then only when he has the other two tiles in his hand to form the sequence. Sequences can only be built up in sets of three.
Illustration No. 11.