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WEEKLY MAH-JONGG

By Tom Sloper

March 11, 2007
Column #309

American. Continuing the interview with Elaine Sandberg, author of "A Beginner's Guide To American Mah Jongg; How To Play The Game & Win," to be released in May by Tuttle Publishing.

TS: Elaine, what do you say to the notion that mah jongg is a game for older Jewish women?

ES: The old stereotype of Mah Jongg as "an old lady's game" is gone. Most of my students range in age from about the 30's, 40's to late 60's, although I have taught a 12 year old with her Mom. My classes at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles are jammed and my private teaching schedule is a busy one. I have had many "couples" groups of men and women. (For some mysterious reason, lots of men don't think of Mah Jongg as a "guy" thing. Maybe it's because they haven't tried it!)

TS: I think the American variant is the hardest form of mah jongg to learn. Your reaction?

ES: American Mah Jongg is challenging, make no mistake. It's not like simple card games "Go Fish" or Gin Rummy. Learning to play takes time, patience and lots of practice. But the rewards are worth it. Ask anyone who plays the game. It's great fun and exciting. And, an added bonus---- it's legal and non-fattening!!!!! Using my book to learn to play (and win) American Mah Jongg can lead you to new friends, fun times and as you yourself have said, it "keeps the littler grey cells of our brains active, alive and entertained". And that's why I love the game! Try it. You'll like it!

TS: A lot of beginners have a bit of a learning curve in reading the card. What do you tell them to get them beyond the initial difficulty?

ES: Here is an excerpt from Chapter 3, Cracking the Code, about how to "read" the card.

"Now look at the individual hands and you can see they are printed in colors: blue, green and red. Each hand is printed in one, two or three colors. The colors represent Suits. When you look for a hand to play, the first thing you want to do is determine how many Suits (and Dragons) you need for that hand. It's easy. Count the colors. The number of colors determines the number of Suits required for a hand.

Hands printed in one color mean one Suit is required to complete the hand. Two colors mean two Suits are required to complete the hand. Hands printed in three colors mean all three Suits are required. ...

When one Suit is required, you may choose any one Suit; when you count two Suits, you choose any two Suits; and three Suits allow you to assemble the three Suits in any order you wish. The player chooses which Suits or Dragons to use for which combinations."

TS: Thank you, Elaine.

ES: Thanks for inviting me!!!!

麻雀

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Question about this column? See an error? Email and the discussion will be posted on the Mah-Jongg Q&A Bulletin Board.

Haven't ordered the 2007 NMJL card yet? Read FAQ 7i.

Need rules for American mah-jongg? Go to http://www.geocities.com/linfishr. AND see FAQ 19 for fine points of the American rules (and commonly misunderstood rules). AND get the booklet from the NMJL (see FAQ 3).