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SLOPER ON MAH-JONGG

By Tom Sloper
June 30, 2013
No. #570

American Mah Jongg (2013 NMJL card). What would you discard?

1. Seven towards Consec. #2, nine towards Consec. #4. You can discard 2D and maintain both options.

2. Whether you go Consec. #1 or Odds #1, you don't need more than two 9Ds.

3. Consec. #1 and #3 are even (same distance from mah-jongg). Consec. #1 is riskier since you have no nines. Getting the second G is also risky, but less so. Discard 5 or 6.

4. Simple; either way you go, you have an extra F.

5. Eight towards Consec. #2, nine towards Consec. #4; must decide now. Consec. #4 is closer, and more valuable, but riskier. If you want to go for it, throw 1C.

6. Consec. #1 is strongest option. Discard 4D.

7. Definitely go W-D #2. Ditch N or E.

8. You have an unneeded J, and you're waiting for 3B. Discard J and say "same."

9. Consec. #1 and Odds #1 are even. Flip a coin. Heads, discard low; tails, discard even.

10. No-brainer; discard soap. Wait for G, R, or J.

11. Must choose between Odds (#2 or #7) and Consec. (#2 or #4). Odds #7 looks good, followed by Consec. #4. Break up 8D.

12. Torn between Consec. and Odds. You're not going to do Like Numbers or Consec. #4, so 2C can go.

13. Torn between 369 #1 and Like Nos. #2. 369 #1 is stronger by one tile, so discard anything to the right of the soaps.

14. In order not to break up any options for the 2013, you should discard any of the suit tiles. But the F is not needed for 2013 #1. Yank it out by the roots.

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Question or comment about this column? I often, um... intentionally... "miss" something; maybe you'll be the first one to spot it! Email and the discussion will be posted on the Mah-Jongg Q&A Bulletin Board.

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Where to order the yearly NMJL card: Read FAQ 7i.

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/.