SLOPER ON MAH-JONGG

What would you discard? Something a little different this week - you get to decide which kind of mah-jongg you're playing: American, Japanese, or MCR.

1. American: think low Consec., so discard a nine. Japanese, MCR: think chows and simples, so (again) discard a nine.

2. American: Like Nos. or high Odds, so discard a two. Japanese, MCR: discard a bam.

3. American: high Consec.; discard a three (save the twos for joker bait). Japanese, MCR: those dots look like a good start for a Pure Straight (Itsu); discard 2D.

4. American: the dragons don't fit, and could become dangerous for a later joker bait play. Throw D now, or throw low (go for high Consec.). Japanese: a white would make fanpai, so break up 1B 2B or throw 8D. MCR: go for Reversible Tiles; discard a crak or 1B.

5. American: either low Consec. or Evens; discard 9B. Japanese: 3B has no friends or even distant cousins; let it go. MCR: Mixed Straight is a possibility, so discard 2C.

6. American: best bets are 2012 :1 or W-D #1, so lose R or G. Japanese, MCR: throw any single, and pung or kong anything you can (All Honors).

7. American: Odds #1 or #7; throw 3C. Japanese, MCR: think All Pungs (toitoi); throw any single.

8. American: high Consec. or Odds; throw 1C or 3C. Japanese, MCR: the one and three look weak.

9. American: ignore W-D #4, think 2012 #4: discard wind. Japanese, MCR: think All Honors and Big Three Dragons; throw away a suit.

10. American: "Atomic" is not an official hand, and if you use an "Atomic" rule, I don't know its particulars, so forget that. Think S&P #2 or 369; 5D can go. Japanese, MCR: definitely Seven Pairs; throw 5D and you're all set.

11. American: high Consec. or Evens; lose low odds. Japanese, MCR: 2D is the sore thumb.

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Links about Japanese-style mah-jongg:

• Tom's 1st Mah-Jongg Adventure in Japan
• Vega Mah-Jongg Parlor - in ENGLISH
• Vega Mah-Jongg Parlor - in JAPANESE
• Riichi-ing out in Shibuya, 2002
• More Adventures in Japan
• Little Tokyo no tomodachi
• Janyou no tomodachi
• Tokyo Kaikan Tournament, 2009.
• Japanese Mah-Jongg is usually played on automatic dealing machines.
• A downloadable English-language booklet has been made which describes the standard Japanese riichi/dora majan rules of the European Mahjong Association. http://mahjong-europe.org/rules.htm. Direct links to the 24 page booklet and the 2 page summary: http://mahjong-europe.org/rules/downloads/riichirules_EN.pdf ; http://mahjong-europe.org/rules/downloads/riichisheet_EN.pdf .
• http://www.japanesemahjong.com/ - Ryan Morris' excellent English-language guide to Japanese mahjong is finally back online! Ryan Morris is a representative for the Mahjong Museum in Japan, and a columnist for Japan's manga, Kindai Majan.
• Reach Mahjong ( http://reachmahjong.com/) features columns by Jenn Barr, Garthe Nelson, and Gemma about Japanese majan.
• Osamuko's Mahjong Blog offers strategy tips for Japanese riichi/dora majan. http://www.osamuko.com/index.php/category/mahjong/

Want to play riichi/dora majan on your computer?

• MahjongLogic went online in 2009. It supports Chinese Classical, International (MCR), and Japanese riichi/dora majan.
• Ron2.jp Japanese rules, Japanese language. One of the top "reach" ("riichi") sites for those who've graduated to playing online versus other human players. And of course, make sure you've read FAQ 25 and understand the furiten and iihan shibari rules so you don't frustrate yourself. English language instructions are available at reachmahjong.com.
• http://www.tenhou.net - Japanese game, Japanese language. Another of the top riichi sites favored by the ReachMahjong crowd (former YakitoriOnline crowd, at their new gathering place - at ReachMahjong, click the pink "Forums" tab). Thanks to Robert Lozyniak for the link.
• Wortex's Bamboo Majan wait-training exercises are very useful for learning some hard truths about majan: http://www.gamedesign.jp/flash/bamboo/bamboo.html

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  © 2012 Tom Sloper. All rights reserved.