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SLOPER ON MAH-JONGG

By Tom Sloper
Mother's Day, 2013
No. #564

American Mah Jongg (2013 NMJL card). What would you pass in the Charleston, if you were one of these four players?

1. You have pairs of twos and eights, so you should go for Evens, and pass Odds.

2. The G pair demands to be used, and there are no other clear signs. Could go Consec. #3, W-D #2, or Like Nos. #2. The tiles that don't go with those are 4C 8C 7B.

3. One pair: 9B. Could go high Odds. Pass low and evens. I wouldn't want to pass all fours, so how about 1C 2D 4B.

4. Three pairs: 9D 5B W. They do not go together. The Ws don't go with either other number, but the 5s and 9s can be made into something. So W can go, and also 2D 1B (not wanting to pass too much wind at once).

5. Going for Evens. Gotta get rid of those ones, and either soap or W.

6. Consec. #3 or Like Numbers. 3D and 7D can go, and either wind.

7. Fours and nines don't go together. Odds looks better than Evens. Pass 4D 8C R.

8. High Odds. Don't need evens or winds.

9. Evens #4 or #5; dragons and 6C can go. You could stop the Charleston now, if you want to throw the others off their game. You might still get something in the second dance, but the chances are not high.

10. Six tiles towards W-D #2 or Like Nos. Five tiles towards Consec. #3. The Consec. option is weak, so 1B can join 2D and N in the first right.

11. The tiles to the right of the joker are expendable because this is leaning high Consec. or high Odds.

12. High Odds. Pass E 1C 3D; hang onto the 4B for a possible Consec., but don't hold out hopes for that.

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Need rules for American mah-jongg? Tom Sloper's book, The Red Dragon & The West Wind, is the most comprehensive book in existence about the American game. AND see FAQ 19 for fine points of the American rules (and commonly misunderstood rules). AND get the official rulebook from the NMJL (see FAQ 3). Linda Fisher's website is the only website that describes American rules: http://sites.google.com/site/mahjrules/.