SLOPER ON MAH-JONGG

American Mah Jongg (2023 NMJL card). Various quandaries.

1. Two pairs: threes and soaps. Got twos, so 2023 is an option. The passers are the six, sevens, eight, and W.

2. No pairs, so count highs vs. lows. Six both ways. Still, the highs look best. Save all eights and nines, pass anything else.

3. The sevens are red herrings. Keep twos, threes, F, R.

4. Two pairs and a pung; strong Consec #6. Passers include 2C 4C R and G.

5. Flowers, ones, and greens. Can't use all three sets in any hand. No strong option, so don't stop. Preserve Like Nos. #2 for sure. Pass 4B G G. It hurts to do, but.

6. Pairs G and E. Think W-D #2 or #3. Don't stop, pass S 9C 2D.

7. A pung of flowers with garbage. Can go 2023 or W-D. Counting the odds, 2023 #2: 7 tiles (+ Jokers), 2023 #3: 7 tiles, 2023 #4: 7 tiles. W-D #4: 7 tiles. There are only 6 tiles for Like Nos. #2, and if you KISS, ditch that option and W-D. Pass 7C W N.

8. Winds-dragons #2 or #3. This is closer to #2 (8 tiles) than #3 (7 tiles). The fours can go, but this is a must-across; must pass three. It's a drag, but a dragon will have to go.

9. The fives and flowers are red herrings. Maybe offer one five, or say skip it.

10. Two hands here: W-D #3 (8 tiles) and W-D #6 (also 8 tiles). Neither hand needs R.

11. Go for Consec #5. Keep F, 5B, 6D, 7C. Discard 7B or 8D. Save the other pair for potential joker bait.

QUESTIONS about the 2023 NMJL card? See FAQ 16.

COMMENTS
Email . Hit me with your best shot!

Join Johni Levene's popular Facebook group, "Mah Jongg, That's It!" for lively conversations about American mah-jongg and all things mah-jongg.

Where to order the yearly NMJL card: Read FAQ 7i. But you're missing a bet if you don't order your NMJL card directly from the National Mah Jongg League!

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).

© 2023 Tom Sloper. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without express written permission.