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By Tom Sloper
April 23, 2023 Column #788 |
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By Tom Sloper
April 23, 2023 Column #788 |
American Mah Jongg (2023 NMJL card). Various quandaries.
1. The 7B pair has friends: bams, G, nines. Could even be friends with N and S. 1D and 4C can go. Add 4B to the pass.
2. Three pairs: twos, fives, and nines in three suits. Clearly, the three pairs cannot all go together. Which two pairs are more friendly? Not the twos and fives, so that leaves us with fives and nines. Highs win. Chuck low numbers (and of course, winds). Pass 4C 2B N.
3. This is heading towards a Consec hand. The fives are too distant numerically from the nines; don't let them mess with your head. Think Consec #2 (two ways). Pass 2B E 5D.
4. Looking strong for Consec #2, dots and craks. Pass E 3D 5D, consider the possibility that you might want to stop after you pick up the incoming pass.
5. Two pairs: ones and reds. There are more highs than lows, and the 1B pair doesn't have enough support at this halfway point in the dance. The high dots and high craks go together nicely for a 5-7-9 hand (it doesn't even matter at this point which one, because you have lots of chaff in the hand). 5B should be kept, and the reds can stay for now. You can pass 1D 2B 4B. Keep the 1B pair for joker bait.
6. Now we've got Consec #2 two ways: craks and dots or craks and bams. A lot of people will get angry with me for this, but I'd stop. I'd offer F 4C to my opposite in the courtesy. 
7. At this point you have six tiles towards Odds #2. You're seven tiles towards Odds #5 (better). Either way, the pung advances the hand, so go for it.
8. At this point, bams are stronger. If you call 9D, you'll have to get rid of five tiles. Play it cagey; don't call.
QUESTIONS about the 2023 NMJL card? See FAQ 16.
COMMENTS
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On Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 08:50:07 AM EDT, Julia S wrote:
Column #788
Hello Tom,
I'm wondering why for hands 6 and 8 you don't mention Consec #6 with 8s and 9s as a possibility.
Julia
Hi, Julia!
6. You are right that I could have mentioned Consec #6 here. It's an equal alternative to Consec #2 with dots. In fact, since this is the same hand as problem #4, developed a bit further, I could have mentioned Consec #6 in problem #4, too.
Play safe out there. And
may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
4/23/23
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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 about the American game, a good supplement to the League's official rulebook. AND see FAQ 19 for fine points of the American rules (and commonly misunderstood rules). AND every player should have a copy of Mah Jongg Made Easy, the official rulebook of the National Mah Jongg League (see FAQ 3 for info on mah-jongg books).
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