SLOPER ON MAH-JONGG

By Tom Sloper (湯姆斯洛珀)
September 28, The Year Of The Horse 馬
Column #619

I was recently interviewed by SinoVision. This followed after an interview that appeared in the China Press (uschinapress.com), in the August 24 edition in California. The TV interview is now online.

The reporters from the newspaper and the TV channel were interested in how mah-jongg is played, American-style. I showed how American tiles differ slightly from Chinese tiles, while telling the history of how mah-jongg came to America and was adapted for female players by the National Mah Jongg League.

I knew the reporters would want to see some players in action, so I referred them to Judi Nachenberg, who organizes tournaments in the L.A. area.

Game footage was shot at the Nachenberg home.

You can view two stories at sinovision.net:
http://video.sinovision.net/?id=24552&cid=122
http://video.sinovision.net/?id=24550&cid=122
I don't understand Chinese, so all I know is that the reporter in one piece mispronounced my name!

麻雀

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Photos of the 2007 WMJC in E Mei Shan, China.
Photos of the 2007 OEMC in Copenhagen.
Photos of the Fourth China Majiang Championship and Forum in Tianjin, 2006.
Photos of the Third China Majiang Championship and Forum in Beijing, 2005.
Photos of the 2005 OEMC
Photos of the 2003 CMOC.
Photos of the 2002 WCMJ.

FAQ 22 answers the most frequently asked questions about Chinese Official scoring.
Download the official English translation of the Majiang Competition Rules for free at http://www.chinamajiang.com/ssxx20.html.
And be sure to download the MCR Errata/Addenda HERE. And you should also download Per Starbäck's "Beyond the Green Book" at http://starback.se/mj/beyond/.
Competition Mahjong Official International Rulebook ("OIRB"). Takeshobo, 2002. ISBN 4-8124-0944-6. Condensed and now somewhat outdated English translation of the official Chinese rules, still useful as a reference. Translator: Ryan Morris. You can download it HERE.
World Champion Mai Hatsune and fellow Japanese champion player Takunori Kajimoto have written the definitive strategy guide to Mahjong Competition Rules. It's been translated into English and is available for free at http://museum.takeshobo.co.jp/kokusai/index.html.
For more help with your MCR strategy, see www.tilehog.net.
Another useful MCR strategy tool is at http://www.mahjong-o-matic.com.