Heh, yeah it was years ago though :)

Basically when all norths are out you flip over another dora similar to someone making a hidden or open kan then.

That is exactly what we do in our three-player game here in Hiroshima. Did you play "three-handed four-player mahjong" or did you play "three-player mahjong" (with 2-8 of Characters removed from play)? Either way, the North is used as a bonus Dora, unless you wish to use it in a hand such as Kokush...

When I play mahjong with friends I could never find that 4th player so I ended up playing 3 player mahjong when I was still living in Japan. I came across a couple ways the north tiles ended up getting treated. I first found a rule where when the north tiles were treated as bonus tiles and separated...

Then I tell them they need to collect 4 x sets of 3 and a pair and we play a couple of open hands and explain what to do as we go - teach by doing. This is actually how I do it when I try and get others interested. Since I have a Japanese set I found it easier to teach everyone how to play 3 player...

Greetings all. New to the boards and I\'ll figure I\'ll try my hand here.

It certainly looks like the potential hand here is sanshokudoujun.
The 6man or 5sou would most likely be the safe bet. One of the 8sou could go as well. Keep everything between 2 and 8 to score tanyao as well.