WEEKLY MAHJONG

For reasons I can discuss later, I was unable to participate in helping bring the translation to American bookshelves. I recommended my former Activision associate, author Heather Chandler (Game Production Handbook, Game Localization Handbook). I haven't seen the book yet, but I'm looking forward to it greatly. Here's what Tuttle says on their website about the book, at https://peripluspublishinggroup.com/tuttle/ (edited to fit this column's word count limits):

"The Great Mahjong Book: History, Lore, And Play covers the entire history of mahjong as it spread around the globe, on the equipment and accessories used in the game, the basic rules, how and where the game first developed and all the international variants of mahjong. Filled with hints, fun facts and numerous illustrations of memorabilia and artifacts, this authoritative and thoroughly enjoyable book is a perfect gift for anyone interested in this ancient and beguiling game.

By: Jelte Rep
Translated By Jelte Rep
Price:  $ 19.95
Your Price:  $ 13.96
ISBN:  0-8048-3719-8
Illustrations: color photos and illus
Page Count: 224
In addition to teaching mahjong and organizing mahjong tournaments, Rep spends his time filming documentaries and writing dramas for television."

Highly recommended for your bookshelf. Before I forget: gung hei fa choi - Happy Year of the Pig!

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Photos of the Fourth China Majiang Championship and Forum in Tianjin, 2006.
Photos of the Third China Majiang Championship and Forum in Beijing, 2005.
The official website of the Third China Majiang Championship and Forum in Beijing, 2005.
The official website of the Open European Mahjong Championship
Photos of the 2005 OEMC
Photos of the 2003 CMOC.
Photos of the 2002 WCMJ.

Want to play Chinese Official rules on your computer?

• Four Winds from Lagarto & Armadillo Graphics is available at http://www.4windsmj.com.
• Give Mahjongtime some of your time at http://www.mahjongtime.com
• Download the Official official rules document at http://www.chinamajiang.com/ssxx20.html.
• Download various versions of the Mahjong Competition (Chinese Official) Rules: http://www.mahjongnews.com/comj.htm (English, French, German, Chinese), or http://www.ninedragons.com/mahjong/oir.html (English, includes errata lists).
• 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 at http://museum.takeshobo.co.jp/kokusai/index.html.
• FAQ 22 answers the most frequently asked questions about Chinese Official scoring.
• Tom's home-made booklet goes into strategy. See http://www.sloperama.com/tour/rulebook.htm.
• For more help with your C.O.I.R. strategy, see www.tilehog.net.
• If you can read Chinese, the full and complete official rules are at http://us.mjclub.com/RulesAndScore.

© 2007 Tom Sloper. All rights reserved.