What are the probabilities of [X=something/anything] happening in American mah-jongg?
>From: Renée S
>Sent: Monday, July 13, 2015 3:27 PM
>Subject: Mah jongg question
>Once play starts ( after the charleston ) what are the probabilities of picking a tile that a player needs for his/her hand. Just in a very, very general matter of figuring, as i know there are way too many varying factors to determine this exactly in less than 100 years. Lets assume that right after the charleston(s) the average number of tiles needed to mahj is five or six.
>Thanks, Avril ....
I'm sorry, Avril, but I have no idea. I am not a mathematician or a statistician. I have never studied probabilities or combinatorics, and I have no desire to do so. That information goes way beyond what I am able to offer here. And I doubt that any of my readers has done this sort of calculation, or she would have surely shared the information already. But I'm sure players all across this great land would love to have a lot of information about probabilities of various things mah-jongg related, and would appreciate it greatly if you would run the numbers for us. Note that you might have to repeat the calculations every year when a new card comes out. If you Google "books on probability and statistics," you will find several good ones.
Happy reading!
May the probabilities be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 13, 2015
Donation
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I really appreciate that, Stella! Thank you.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 12, 2015
Where's the click, part 5
>From: "lindaz
>Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2015 4:21 AM
>Subject: where's the click? part 5
>Hi Tom,
>Thanks for your clarification to my question "where's the click?" I think your suggestion of waiting 3 seconds before picking/racking is something I will suggest to my friends. Some are partly deaf, our room can be noisy, and some calls are missed because of background chatter and other distractions. The 3 second rule would also help those who have early beginnings of mild dementia and take a little longer to make a decision. Your goal of etiquette and harmony rocks!!
>Thanks for great advice, Linda
I'm glad it helps, Linda.
Here I go being a typical male, always quick to jump to a "solution" when another person mentions a "problem." You say some of your players are hard of hearing and the room can be noisy. The solution for that situation is to keep one's eyes open. Too many players of American mah-jongg only listen to the proceedings, keeping eyes on one's own hand or on the card. I blame that bad habit on the American practice of vocally naming each discard - that's a thing I dislike about the American game (precisely because it leads to players only listening and not looking). A mah-jongg player has to be alert to everything going on at the table, with eyes open as well as ears. [/rant] [retroactive rant]
Then we come to your mention of players with the onset of dementia. My heart goes out to those players, and I think that a 3-second rule does help and is fair.
Note, though: a 3-second rule needn't slow down the game. Players don't sit and count 3 seconds after a tile is discarded. Nobody starts a 3-second timer each time. Play progresses normally, unless a player calls for a discard after the next in line has started her turn. Then players should consider (retroactively) whether the call had been within 3 seconds of the discard, and respond accordingly.
Note further: a 3-second rule doesn't give players carte blanche to call "wait" and request a further thinking time-out after the next in line has started her turn. A call should always be decisive ("I want that" or "I'll take that," not "wait"), especially if the next in line has started her turn. Someone who takes 2.9 seconds to make a call and just says "wait" (and only then starts to think about whether or not she wants the tile) is pushing the privilege (and other players' patience) too far. [/rant] [retroactive rant]
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 12, 2015
How do we find players or clubs?
>From: "gloriajenm
>Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2015 8:48 PM
>Subject: We were referred to you by our Mah Jongg instructor in Beverly Hills.
>Dear Tom,
>My husband Lou and I have been playing Mah Jongg for the past six years. We just got done playing with our instructor and believe that we are comparable in play with her. We have read many of your articles on your web site and know that our game has improved as a result.
>We are looking for players or clubs in Beverly Hills or West LA. Are there anyone that you can refer us to? We would really appreciate it!
>Very sincerely, Gloria J and Lou M
Hi, Gloria and Lou.
I don't have a hidden list of clubs or players. Everything I have is here on my site. So I refer you to my Find Players bulletin board. You should scan through it (and then click the pointer at the bottom to scan through the archives), and you could also post your own announcement on it. Good luck!
May the advanced players or clubs be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
7/11, 2015
Where's the click, part 4 (what if the call is simultaneous with the closure of the window of opportunity?)
>From: "lindaz
>Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2015 1:48 PM
>Subject: Fwd: "I had picked"part 2
>-----Original Message-----
>From: lindaz
>Sent: Sat, Jul 11, 2015 10:10 am
>Subject: "I had picked"part 2
>Hi Tom,
>Regarding Bonnie's question on 7/9--an incident occurred last week which left me puzzled. Player A discarded a tile. Player B (next in turn) then picked a tile from the wall and she started to rack it (as I recall she had not completely racked it--the tile was still in her fingers hovering over her rack and she had not placed the tile on her rack when player C called for A's discarded tile. Player B stated "I've already racked it" then she proceeded to completely place the tile on her rack. So my question is--when is a tile legally racked? Is just touching the top of the rack with the tile enough? Or must it be completely be on the rack? I searched FAQ AD 2 after I got home and found the answer, so next time I'll speak up! Could you please clarify this situation? Thanks,
>Linda
Hi, Linda.
Your question is not similar to Bonnie's question. Bonnie was asking about whether a player could redeem a joker after her turn had ended. Your question is, rather, similar to Lynn P's question, "Where's the click?" on June 5-6. Essentially, your question (and Lynn's) is: "what if the call comes at the same time the next player is racking?"
It's not a question of whether the tile had touched the sloping surface but had not yet come to rest.
It's not a matter of tenths of an inch.
FAQ 19-AD2 serves only to define what "racking" means (and what it does not mean) - it's not where you'll find the answer to your question, "what if the call comes at the same time the next player is racking?" Because if you're trying to measure in tenths of a second or tenths of an inch whether or not a tile is racked, you may as well just regard the call as being simultaneous with the racking.
So then, as I said to Lynn on June 5 and June 6 below, you have to consider whether the picker picked and racked a little too quickly, or if the caller delayed just a hair too long. If a picker is pausing just a beat before picking, then she's allowed enough time for another player to call the live discard. Someone who doesn't speak until a reasonable-speed picker is in the act of racking has probably taken a hair too long deciding she wants the discard.
And I think it's worth noting that in the official Chinese rules, the window of opportunity is open for 3 seconds. I think that is a generous and fair length of time. The NMJL has not codified a length of time for the window, but when there's a question about whether the rack or the call came first, it would not be unreasonable to apply the Chinese 3-second rule. In the official MCR, when the call is made within 3 seconds, the picker has to replace the tile on the wall, and the caller can have the discard.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
7/11, 2015
I didn't rack, and she says that gives her a right to take my discard after the next player racked.
>From: Veronica H
>Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2015 9:49 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>Playing the other day, I drew a South and immediately discarded it (without racking). The player to my right picked a tile and racked it. The person on her right said she had wanted my discard and she should be able to have it as I did not rack.
>We have both taught MJ to others and she continues to say that it is a rule that you must rack. I disagree.
>Early in the game, I rack my selection but when I am set for a MJ i usually do not.
>Who is correct? I have your book Red Dragon and West Wind but I could not find a reference to racking.
>Thank you for your time.
>Roni H
Hi, Roni. Let's take this step by step.
You picked a tile and discarded it without racking.
I presume you named it ("South").
The player opposite you did not say anything.
The player at your right picked and racked.
The player opposite you suddenly says she wants your discard, and she says since you never racked it, she should have it, even though the next player has already picked and racked.
She's clearly wrong. The time for her to claim the tile was during step 3 -- after you had discarded the tile, opening the window of opportunity on it, and before the player after you picked and racked, closing the window.
How she thinks that your not racking your pick trumps the window of opportunity rule is beyond me!
Let's imagine for a moment that, instead of your discard, the one she wanted was the discard before you.
Player before you discards (let's say it's East).
You pick a tile; the window of opportunity on the East is still open.
If you rack the tile, the window of opportunity closes. But you don't, because it's a stinking South, and you don't need it, so you discard it.
The window of opportunity closes. It's now too late for anyone to claim the East. The window of opportunity is now open on the South.
Your opposite complains that she wanted that East, and says that since you never racked the South you picked, she should have the East. Now her complaint about your not racking makes more sense (slightly). But she'd still be too late, because you already discarded South.
I hear fairly often from players who think that there is a requirement that a picker rack the picked tile. But there is no such requirement. And in the case of your friend's complaint, your not having racked the South has nothing to do with her claim for your South -- she didn't say anything until after the next player had already picked and racked. The window of opportunity on the previous discard (before yours) closed when you discarded. The window of opportunity on YOUR discard closed when the next player racked.
In my book, read everything about the window of opportunity (easiest thing is to open the back cover and see all the pages where the window is discussed). And check out FAQ 19 (the FAQs are above left) and just search the page for the phrase "window of opportunity."
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 11, 2015
Column
638, part 3
>From: Joan
>Sent: Friday, July 10, 2015 3:25 PM
>Subject: Column 638
>Oops! Sorry, Tom. It's my mistake. Need to get my eyes checked??
>Sent from my iPad
>JoaniE
>life is good
No problem, JoaniE.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 10, 2015
Column 638, part 2
>From: joan e
>Sent: Friday, July 10, 2015 9:17 AM
>Subject: column # 638
>Hi Tom,
>Yes, you did miss something. Quint #3 is NNNNN DDDD 11111. You are showing GGGGG and 4 soaps. (Two dragons) No such hand :-(
>JoaniE
>Life is Good
Oh, I see. You thought that was a green dragon. Look again: it's a One Bam. See, there's a bird on it (a peacock), and an Arabic numeral 1 in the upper left corner.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 10, 2015
Column 638
>From: joan e
>Sent: Friday, July 10, 2015 6:48 AM
>Subject: Column #638
>Hi Tom,
>First off, I appreciate all your strategy columns. That being said, in column #638 # 10, there is no such hand on the 2015 card so she would have to be dead.
>Thanks again for all your hard work.
>JoaniE
>Life is Good
Hi, JoaniE,
How do you figure that #10 isn't Quints #3? I mean, I do miss things sometimes, but I don't see where I'm wrong this time. Kong of a dragon, quint of a number...?
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 10, 2015
I had picked, but she said it was still her turn
>From: Bonnie
>Sent: Thursday, July 9, 2015 5:16 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>Thank you for your Q and A Board! I picked a tile, which turned out to be my mahj tile. It was in my hand, and as I was getting ready to rack, the player to my left realized that she could exchange a tile in her rack for a joker from the player’s exposed hand to her left. She said because I had not racked the tile, it was still her turn. I think I should have won as her turn was completed. I thought that the “racking” rule only applied to taking a thrown tile from the table. I graciously let her win, but feel I was duped………
>Your thought ?
You left out some very important information, Bonnie.
You said her turn was "completed," but she said it was still her turn. The critical information here is whether or not she had discarded before you picked, and you didn't say.
If she had not discarded, then you were wrong to pick from the wall. If she had discarded, then where does she get off thinking it was still her turn?
If she did discard before you picked, then not only was it not her turn, but her hand had too few tiles after she redeemed the joker.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 9, 2015
A discard was misnamed, causing a problem. What now?
>From: Eileen L
>Sent: Wednesday, July 8, 2015 6:43 PM
>Subject: Question about misnaming
>Hi Tom,
>I read your article about misnaming….see below….my question is this:
>Is a player misnames a tile and the discard is wanted for Mah Jongg, what kind of penalty is imposed?
>Thanks, Eileen L
>[Quoting Column
472] The ladies are having their weekly game, when all of a sudden an unexpected thing happens, and they don't know what to do about it. Player A discarded a tile and mistakenly said the wrong thing. She said, "Flower," but the tile she discarded was actually South wind. That wasn't the unexpected thing, however. People had misnamed discards before. But usually when that happened, the misnamer would simply say the correct name and the game would go on without a problem. But this time, Player B, without looking, said "Call." When Player B went to take the tile, she couldn't find a Flower. "Where is it?"
>Player A looked and said, "Oh, sorry. It's a South." And that was the unexpected thing: somebody had called the misnamed tile, without realizing she wasn't getting what she thought she was getting. They had a discussion, and what they decided to do was this: they made Player A take back the South and discard a Flower. Player B made her exposure, and the game continued on. But is that what should have happened? No. Of course not.
>Consider: there is such a thing as an official rulebook. All they had to do was have a copy! The rule is right there, on page 17. But most groups don't have a rulebook; many don't even know such a thing exists. Me, I was raised playing board games, and those always come with printed rules. So I don't know why so many people can think mah jongg doesn't have printed rules. But I'm just ranting again.
>Consider: what if Player B didn't have a Flower, so couldn't discard the tile whose name she'd said? Should she be declared dead? Isn't that an overly harsh punishment for simply saying the wrong tile name? Are we to call people dead for every least error? "You sniffled: you're dead." I mean, come on!
>Consider: Sometimes when a person says the wrong tile name, it's a matter of wishful thinking, rather than looking at the wrong tile. Sure, sometimes you might see a flower in your hand and accidentally say "Flower," but more often than not, you're thinking "Come on, Flower. Somebody discard Flower!" And that's why you say Flower instead of the name of the tile you're discarding. That happened in my weekly game just last week. An opponent misnamed his discard, and corrected himself. But somehow I knew, just knew, that it had been a Freudian slip—that he'd inadvertently said the name of the tile he needed for mah jongg. So I made sure not to discard the tile whose name he’d said.
>
The official rule is that there's a penalty to the misnamer only if the discard is wanted for mah jongg. If nobody wants it, then no harm done. No harm, no foul. If it's wanted for mere exposure, then the caller (the one who wants it) is also partially at fault—she should have been looking! Shared fault, shared foul. But if somebody wants it for mah jongg, that's grounds for punishment because all are affected. [/quote]
Hi, Eileen. Your question is:
[If] a player misnames a tile and the discard is wanted for Mah Jongg, what kind of penalty is imposed?
There is such a thing as an official rulebook. The rule is right there, on pages 17-18. And you can also find the answer in Frequently Asked Question 19-AY. (You can link to the FAQs above left.) By the way, you didn't really have to quote the entire column. You could have just said "column 472, last paragraph" or something (or you could have just quoted the first sentence of the last paragraph). I guess I could link that sentence to the FAQ... Okay, there, I did it. Now that sentence links the reader directly to the rule.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 8, 2015
I don't know how to change my teacher listing
>From: Merrily Lewis <merrily321@gmail.com>
>Sent: Wednesday, July 8, 2015 6:08 PM
>Subject: Instructor change of address
>Hi Tom,
>I am listed on your instructor page and would like to continue to do so, but I have recently moved from Manchester, Vt. to Camarillo, Ca. I do not know how to change my listing. Please help.
>PS. Your website is amazing and in my classes, I always gave the students your site as a great reference . Even more experienced players I know were unaware of it. They only knew the National Mah Jongg League…I set them all straight.
>Thanks,
>Merrily Lewis
You just changed it, Merrily. All you had to do was tell me.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 8, 2015
Advice I can share, parts 3, 4, & 5
>From: Lynn P
>Sent: Tuesday, July 7, 2015 5:14 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is: Re Q&A Advice I can give to my Mom: As an older Mah Jongg female player I whole hardily agree with your response to Chris(opher). We ladies like to complain especially when we have to show our exposures so that other players know what hand we are playing. Mother’s only recourse is not calling the discard and hoping she gets a joker. Then she won’t have to expose some of her hand. Christopher can tell his mother, “ You should realize you will win some and you will lose some.” He should also go to an online book store and buy her your book, “The Red Dragon & The West Wind” which will help her understand Mah Jongg strategy. As for the name “Chris”, my daughter is Chris (Christine), my daughter-in-law is “Christine”:. My niece married “Chris” (Christopher) and they have a son “Chris” (Christopher, Jr.) and my nephew married someone named “Chris/Kris” (Kristen). So if you sign your letter “Chris” who are you?? Tom, all of us Mah Jongg players appreciate all your hard work of answering our questions in a special section and writing the weekly “Strategy column”. Also your book, “RD & WW” is my Mah Jongg Bible. I “won’t leave home without it”!!! Many many thanks for all you do for us Mah Jongg players. Lynn P.
>From: Belinda - F
>Sent: Tuesday, July 7, 2015 11:34 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>Tom, I love your sense of humor. Something a new reader or a non-player may not understand. I was laughing the whole time I was reading your answer to Christopher. Your answer was actually spot on. We Mah jongg players love to kvetch, something a non-player would not readily understand. But we love to win too!
>The game is part luck, part skill. Tonight our games were almost all wall games and each of us were one or two away from Mahj, no one would give up something another player needed. Of course I had a hand or two that had only six tiles for mahj after the charleston and never got one more tile! Love this game!
>Please keep up the good work, we all appreciate you!
>Bee
>From: Beth P
>Sent: Wednesday, July 8, 2015 7:11 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A " Advice I can share"
>Tom Sloper: Just saying, your respose to Chris, who wanted to “fix his mothers problem” was absolutely right. In fact, you did answer his questions. He doesn’t have a clue about MJ (a foreign language to him) to understand the answers. Frustrating as it is,seems to me she is doing OK since she only has one tile away. The tiles will be coming her way on another day. Now if she was often 8 tiles away then she would need to brush up on her strategy. Love your column. Beth
Thank you, ladies!
I regretted that Chris' question was one that couldn't be answered in a way that he would have appreciated, no matter what I told him. But ya can't always please everyone. Thanks again.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 8, 2015
Column
638
>From: Pamela W
>Sent: Tuesday, July 7, 2015 2:41 PM
>Subject: Column 638 #9
>Question:
>As I read it, I would have called the individual dead. 3 consecutive numbers to me would be 7,8, 9 with a quints of 7s and matching pair of 7s as in 7789. I would never have thought 9978 to be consecutive. ???
>Pam
>Sent from my iPad
Hi Pam,
Take another look. My answer concludes, "See FAQ 16 if you don't understand." I didn't make that a clickable link, and since you were on your iPad, going to FAQ 16 would have necessitated your doing a bit of navigation. I'll go back and make that a clickable link (like this).
On the NationalMahJonggLeague website's FAQs page, the League says: " You may pair Any number in the run in any position. The pair and quints must match. (Any 3 suits – Any 3 Consec. Nos.)" - So in this case it's not 7789, and it's not 9987. It's 7899, and that's a perfectly legal way to make the hand. Please read FAQ 16. There's also a link there to the League's FAQs.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 8, 2015
Advice I can share, part 2
>From: Christopher U
>Sent: Tuesday, July 7, 2015 12:45 AM
>Subject: Thanks for nothing
>Your response to my question was not only unhelpful, it was offensive. I asked you for advice about mah jongg strategy, not for a patronizing lecture from a stranger about how to talk to my own mother or a bunch of simplistic gender stereotypes. (Yes, I've read You Just Don't Understand, too.)
>And if the only thing struggling mah jongg players want is "commiseration, not fixes," then isn't writing a mah jongg strategy column a huge waste of time? Writing to you certainly was.
Sorry you feel that way, Chris.
Advice I can share with my mom
>From: Christopher U
>Sent: Monday, July 6, 2015 3:47 PM
>Subject: Question re. mah jongg
>I'd like to ask you a question on behalf of my mom, who plays mah jongg regularly. Every week she comes home and says that she lost because she was just one tile away from making mah jongg and she couldn't get the one she needed.
>I said to her, "This happens every week. You must have a 'tell,' like a poker player. They must know when you need only one more."
>She said of course they know, because you have to expose the hand you're making, so it's obvious what she needs.
>I asked her, "What do the other players do? Aren't they in the same boat?"
>She said, "No, because there are some hands you can make where you don't expose what you need."
>"So make one of those hands instead!" I said. She got exasperated and pointed out that I know nothing about mah jongg, which is true.
>What can she do? Is there a way she can conceal what she's trying to do from the other players? Are there certain hands she should be concentrating on? Maybe some hands that could lead to more than one outcome? Any help would be appreciated.
>Thanks,
>Chris U
Hi, Chris.
When I was reading your email, Chris, I found myself thinking, "this is what a male does - trying to come up with a fix, a solution, whenever a woman when she complains about something. What's going on here...?" Then I realized you are a Christopher, not a Christine! (Can't always tell what gender a "Chris" is.) Anyway, you wrote:
I said to her, "This happens every week. You must have a 'tell,'
Not necessarily. What you need to understand is that complaining is an important part of the fun for mah-jongg players. It's called "kvetching," and when a woman kvetches, she's only looking for sympathy, not fixing.
They must know when you need only one more."
>She said of course they know, because you have to expose the hand you're making, so it's obvious what she needs.
Here's the thing. It often happens that a player exposes enough parts of her hand that her opponents can tell what she's doing, and what tiles she might need. Take a look, for instance, at the strategy column
I posted just yesterday. Your mom probably knows all that strategy stuff already - it's just hard for her to explain it to a mah-jongg outsider.
I asked her, "What do the other players do? Aren't they in the same boat?"
Yes, they are. A strategic player tries not to expose and give away information, but it's hard to win without exposing. And some players who aren't playing at an advanced level yet may not have learned to read another player's exposures. That's why I write strategy columns like the one I posted yesterday (to help those players improve). You can get to my strategy columns by clicking the purple banner atop this page.
She said, "No, because there are some hands you can make where you don't expose what you need."
>"So make one of those hands instead!" I said. She got exasperated
Of course she did. Those Concealed hands are much much harder to make. You can't keep trying to give her mah-jongg strategy advice, unless you learn to play the game yourself. Let her kvetch, and then give her the commiseration she desires. The correct response to give when she says, "I was just one tile away from making mah jongg and nobody would give me the tile I needed," is, "Aww, there, there. Poor Mommy." Or, "Those bitches!" Get the idea? She wants commiseration. Not fixes.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 6, 2015
Column 638
>From: Belinda - Frontier
>Sent: Sunday, July 5, 2015 9:57 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>July 5th column #1, There would have to be more than two flowers dead on the table to call her dead. Must have been a typo?
>Bee
>From: Libby S
>Sent: Monday, July 6, 2015 9:56 AM
>Subject: Edits to Column #638
>Mr. Sloper, I appreciate how you like being accurate in your blog, so I thought I’d point out a few things that should be edited in your Column #638:
>1. “G and F are hot. Odds #3. F is key; what I mean by that is, if you see more than two of them dead on the table, you can call her dead.” It should read “…more than six of them…” (since there are 8 flowers, as you later noted).
>11. “Three possible hands: 2014 #1, W-D #2, and W-D #3. Figure it out.”
>It should read “2015 #1…”
>Thanks,
>Libby
Very good, Bee and Libby.
The flub in #1 is a sloppy cut-and-paste (moved to #1 from a later one). Will fix both, thanks to you!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 6, 2015
Please settle this argument, part 2
>From: Jack E
>Cc: "Alder1371
>Sent: Saturday, July 4, 2015 4:42 PM
>Subject: details (do latecomers have an advantage?)
>Tom,
>Ok, here's some more information.
>One of us (Lily) thinks that the latecomer has an unfair advantage because he/she could easily have a run of high-scoring hands and end up ahead of everyone else. (In fact, this just recently happened to us,.) Keeping in mind that scores tend to average out over the long term (especially when the competition is well balanced as it usually is in our group), big hands over a short period of time could have a big effect. In addition, if there WERE a weaker player in the group (and sometimes there is) and that weaker player gets matched up with the latecomer for several hands near the end, it would then make it easier for the latecomer to win those big hands. (The argument that a latecomer might have a run of low-scoring hands or get matched up with a very strong player near the end doesn't matter, because losers don't get prizes.) Anyway, I concede: my wife has some good arguments.
>
>However, here's the way I see it. After a considerable period of time has elapsed, say 3 hours, some players will have a considerable lead over the others and the latecomer will not only have to become a winner but will also have to make up for the gains the current leaders have. Also, if you look at the extreme case where the latecomer is so late that he/she has time to play only one hand, the odds are extremely small (close to 0) that the newcomer will win one of the prizes. (By the way, we usually have 2 or more prizes, based on how many tables we have.) In this situation, the latecomer is clearly disadvantaged. All things taken into consideration, I think it doesn't matter much. However, it would be nice to get some precise information on probabilities here. Both my wife and I have backgrounds in mathematics but are not experts in statistics and probability. Besides, as readers of Ask Marilyn all know, subtleties in situations such as these can arise and fool even the best experts.
>
>As for your questions about how to deal with advantages/disadvantages, this would, of course, be written in the divorce decree.
>Thanks again, Jack & Lily E.
Hi, Jack. You wrote:
the latecomer has an unfair advantage because he/she could easily have a run of high-scoring hands
I fail to see any causality between late arrival and an "easy" run of high-scoring hands. It could just as easily be that the latecomer falls into a losing streak.
[if] that weaker player gets matched up with the latecomer for several hands near the end, it would then make it easier for the latecomer to win those big hands.
That's a big if. It could easily go a different way (if the latecomer is a weaker player than a stronger player at the table, it could go badly for the latecomer). But you seem to be trying not to say that your latecomer is a strong player.
... losers don't get prizes.)
Prizes? You have prizes? I don't remember you mentioning that before. This is very simple, if you have prizes. In order to be eligible to win a prize, a player must be present for the entire match (arriving on time and staying to the end). Latecomers should (of course) not be eligible to win a prize.
[we] have backgrounds in mathematics but are not experts in statistics and probability.
Me, neither. I do not have a background in math. I'm a game designer, and I would never permit someone to win a prize if he or she was not present for the entire match. It's not fair to the other contestants. Want to have a chance at winning a prize? Come on time and stay the whole time. Very simple.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
5th of July, 2015
She switched, part 2
>From: Lynn P
>Sent: Saturday, July 4, 2015 7:00 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is: Re July 3 gysmith’s question: Don’t you think that most players would recognize that the player who called Mah Jongg had simply switched the joker and soap “on accident” (As my 2nd and 3rd graders would say)? This has happened in our group a few times and no other player has called the Mah Jongger “dead”. If the player didn’t realize this right away, another player would ask if she meant that the joker and soap should be switched. Since I read another answer you wrote about the player who declares Mah Jongg should say how much is owed by each player, I have carefully looked at my winning hand and last Friday I almost neglected saying I had a self picked jokerless hand so that everyone owed me $1!! Big winnings for a purse of $3!! Funny I almost didn’t read your column/Q&A tonight since I thought that you wouldn’t be writing being it is July 4. So glad you did and saw your TY for donation. You are more than welcome. Hope you had a Happy 4th or are still celebrating in CA. Thankfully it is almost July 5 in FL. so these few “neighbors” will stop shooting off their firecrackers!! No sight, just sound!! Lynn
Hi, Lynn. You wrote:
Don’t you think that most players would recognize that the player who called Mah Jongg had simply switched the joker and soap “on accident” (As my 2nd and 3rd graders would say)?
Of course. But a mistake is still a mistake. And it seems a classic case of someone pre-assigning a joker (or otherwise using a joker to fill out a hand, in a way that causes her to forget that it's got many uses).
If the player didn’t realize this right away, another player would ask if she meant that the joker and soap should be switched.
Yes; most would do that in a friendly home game. In a tournament, though, or in a high-stakes game, stricter rules apply.
last Friday I almost neglected saying I had a self picked...
I recommend that whenever one picks her winning tile, she should not say "maj," but instead say "I picked it."
...jokerless hand
It's easy to miss that. Walking through the exposures is a good habit (not only for those opponents who are newer players but also for those with sight limitations), and might help in noticing oneself that the hand is jokerless. Another good habit: knowing in advance, "I can win on X or a joker, and if I get X, I'm jokerless!"
It's an official rule that if a player undervalues her hand, the other players only have to pay what she said (not what the hand is actually worth). But as you say, in a friendly home game, some players will help the winner in valuing the hand. I have played with a player who says "you only get what you ask for," and with a player who firmly believes in the friendlier style (not both players in the same game).
Funny I almost didn’t read your column/Q&A tonight since I thought that you wouldn’t be
I always respond to Q&A, every day. It's the columns that sometimes get the short shrift, due to my workload. Q&As make for a good daily mental break, whereas a column requires more time.
Hope you had a Happy 4th
I had a very enjoyable time with friends, thanks. Hope you had a nice 4th too.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 5, 2015
Do I have to have a natural tile?
>From: Kay
>Sent: Saturday, July 4, 2015 10:34 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>Is it allowed to make a pung.kong etc by picking up tile needed & adding to required number to make pung with joker/s you have in your hand? For instance need 3 cracks for my hand. I have no 3 cracks in my hand, someone plays a 3 crack & I pick it up & add my 2 jokers to make the pung. Can I do that? Thx for your help!! Kay W.
Oh, Kay, can you see? ...Sorry, bad Fourth of July joke.
Welcome to my website. The question you have asked has been asked many times before. It's a "Frequently Asked Question" (an FAQ). I have written answers to all the most-frequently-asked questions, and you can link to them above left. In regards to your question:
Please read FAQ 19-L.
After you've landed at the
FAQ 19
page, please bookmark it so you can easily return to it anytime you have a mah-jongg question.
Answers to all of the most frequently-asked questions about
American (NMJL)
mah-jongg are found in
FAQ 19.
Please always check the FAQs first, before asking me a question. Thanks!
Every player really should have a copy of
the official NMJL rulebook (or my book). For information about where to obtain mah-jongg books, see FAQ 3.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
4th of July, 2015
She switched after her maj was challenged
>From: "gysmith
>Sent: Friday, July 3, 2015 2:41 PM
>Subject: Mah jongg
>Is this allowed?? A player declares mah jongg laying down flower, flower, kong of green dragons, 2j15 in craks, and a kong of soaps using 1 joker in the kong. She is challenged that she cannot use joker in 2015, so she says "oh" and switches her joker and a soap for a correct mah jongg. Courtesy says she can, but is there a rule which says she cannot switch once declared? Thanks
Hi, gysmith. I think that it depends on the timing of the challenge. A declarer is supposed to announce which hand it is, show the hand part by part, and then announce the amounts owed by each player. If she does all that and doesn't notice her own error and then a challenger says, "that's wrong. You're dead," then the declarer is dead.
If, however, the declarer reveals her tiles and before she can say anything is called dead by a challenger, then the declarer hasn't had a chance to complete her play, so should be able to correct it.
What I said above is only my unofficial thought, not an official ruling. I based my thinking on the NMJL rule that a player is permitted to correct an exposure before discarding. In a maj situation, there'll be no discard, but the maj is completed when the player has walked the other players through the hand and announced the win amount. Note, however, that many experienced players don't need a walkthrough - but announcing the win amount is always necessary (it's the winner's duty to say how much she's owed). If she announces the win amount before she notices the error, she's dead. In my opinion.
It always amazes me how players find more and more ways to find situations not explicitly spelled out in the rules! (But then, the rules are rather loosely written.)
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 3, 2015
P.S. Then again, what about an opponent who's so fast that she calls the declarer dead before the declarer can even open her mouth to say anything after exposing her tiles - in that case, I think the challenger is jumping the gun. - Tom
Old mahjong set, part 5
>From: Donna W <spoon_lady
>Cc: Donna W <spoon_lady
>Sent: Friday, July 3, 2015 8:16 AM
>Subject: Old Mah Jong set. Donna Williams
>One more question, please. Is there any way to tell who made this set? Thanks, Donna
There might be, Donna. Or should I say, there might be a way to determine what company imported the set or commissioned the making of the set. That type of set was made by home artisans in China (with no way of tracing them). As for the importer, you can look for markings on the bottom of the case, the inside of the case, the bottom of the drawers, etc. Also, the booklet might contain clues.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 3, 2015
P.S. I hope you appreciate the information Ray Heaton gave (below) about the Chinese writing on your box and on your flower tiles. And you should read column 610.
Donations
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>Sent: Friday, July 3, 2015 7:43 AM
>Subject: Reference: MJ@Sloperama Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers - Donation from Helynn P
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>Message: Tom, Thank you for all your help. You have made me a much better MJ player over the years. Happy 4th, A MJ guru thanks to you!!, Lynn P.
>Sincerely,
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Thank you, Lynn, and thank you, Anita!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 3, 2015
Old mahjong set, part 4
Donna, I forgot to mention another proof that the set is from the twenties: the booklet says "Mah Jong."
That name was not created until 1920, by Joseph Park Babcock, who also initiated the practice of putting indices on the tiles. See FAQ 11H.
By the way, I noticed that the first paragraph promulgates a common falsehood about the origins of the game. It says: "Le jeu de Mah Jong, vieux d'environ 30 sičcles, a été créé pour distraire un empereur chinois, tout comme le jeu de cartes a été invente pour distraire un roi français."
Translate.google.com translates that as:
"The game of Mah Jong, about 30 centuries old, was created to entertain a Chinese emperor, as the card game was invented to entertain a French king." See FAQ 11H - mah-jongg (maque) originated in the 1860s or 1870s. Not millennia ago.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 2, 2015
She picks ahead, part 3
>From: Eileen J
>Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2015 3:21 PM
>Subject: She picks ahead
>Dear Tom,
>She picks ahead, final chapter.
>The Silver Lake MJ Group in The Villages, Fl has determined that I am a stickler for the rules. They think I take things too far calling the NMJL and don't want to see or hear what you have to say. I take their labeling as a compliment and believe that rules need to be followed by all players especially advanced groups playing for money. All table disputes should be handled amicably and in accordance with NMJL rules. Having a copy of these rules should not be threatening to a knowledgeable player.
>Thanks for your support in this matter.
>Eileen J
Hi, Eileen.
Those folks don't need to listen to me; I'm not the person who makes the rules. I just help my readers understand the rules. But if your group doesn't want to hear what even the NMJL says, then they just aren't interested in what the official rules are - they're happy with their own rules. If you want to play with them, you need to adapt to their rules (as I wrote in FAQ 14). I wish you harmonious play, and a pleasant Fourth of July weekend.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 2, 2015
Old mahjong set, part 3
>From: "heaton.ray
>Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2015 5:36 AM
>Subject: Donna's "Old Mahjong Set"
>Hi Tom,
>Donna's view (from the 1st July) that some of her flower tiles showed fireworks is unfortunately erroneous. The flower tiles have the following...
>The tiles with red Chinese characters show the seasons:
>Tile #1, 春, Chun, Spring
>Tile #2, 夏, Xia, Summer
>Tile #3, 秋, Qiu, Autumn
>Tile #4 冬, Dong, Winter
>The tiles include illustrations of flowers appropriate to each season.
>And the tiles with the green Chinese characters show the four arts of the scholar:
>Tile #1, 琴, Qin, (also called the Guqin) a musical instrument rather like a Zither or Lute.
>Tile #2, 棋, Qi, the strategy game of Go or Chinese Chess; this will be either 圍棋 Weiqi the game of Go or 象棋, Xiangqí, Chinese Chess.
>Tile #3, 書, Shu, means to write but is used to refer to Chinese calligraphy
>Tile #4, 畫, Hua, Chinese painting.
>These tiles have illustrations relevant to each of the four arts.
>I think the box has, reading right to left, the two characters 祥雲, xiangyun, which translates as "auspicious clouds"; this odd phrase becomes clearer if you know that the Chinese word for cloud is pronounced the same as the word for "luck", and hence is a way of wishing someone good luck or great fortune!
>Regards
>Ray
Very nice, Ray!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
July 2, 2015
Old mahjong set, part 2
>From: Donna W <spoon_lady
>Cc: Donna W <spoon_lady
>Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2015 2:15 AM
>Subject: Old mahjong set. Donna W
>Could it have been made before 1920 for expats living in Indochina, near Hanoi, and brought to France by hand .... Before these sets were exported?
No, Donna. It looks for all the world just like a standard 1920s set. It has western (English) indices and a printed set of rules. Roaring twenties, sure as shootin'. Is that all you wanted to know (the age of the set)?
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 2, 2015
The League confirms what you said about verbalizing the call
>From: Alice S
>Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 9:36 PM
>Subject: Verbalizing a call
>Hi, Tom,
>Love your website! Thank you for keeping the mah jongg community informed.
>Remember your previous Q&A entries about verbalizing a call (May 6, 2015; April 11, 2015 and January 6, 2015)?
>After observing similar problems myself, I wrote to the NMJL. Great news! The NMJL has issued a ruling.
>Not surprisingly, the NMJL ruling concurs with your advice (from January 6) that “the intent is clear: one is supposed to verbally call”.
>Nice work by the NMJL. Nice work by Tomster.
>The NMJL’s response (excerpted from a letter dated June 25, 2015) is:
>“We are including in our ruling that a player must vocalize the claim for a discard before exposing their tiles. This ruling will be added on the back of the 2016 card and will be inserted in our next order for our instruction books. The player may say ‘take’, ‘call’, ‘I want it’ or whatever indicates that they are calling the discard. Lastly, it should go without saying that all players should always watch the table as well as listen.”
>Wishing you and your readers a Happy Fourth!
>Alice S.
Alice, I found those conversations you mentioned.
"Is it a rule? Do you have to say "call" when you call? (part 3),"
From: "judi @ mahjonggfunla . com, Sent: Wednesday, May 6, 2015
and
"Do you have to say "call" when you call?," From: "row019,
Sent: Saturday, April 11, 2015, are still below. The January 6 question, "Is it a rule? (speaking calls aloud)," From: Emily Z,
Sent: Tuesday, January 6, 2015,
fell off the bottom of this board and can still be seen at http://www.sloperama.com/majexchange/bulletinbd-archive33.htm
Thanks very much for sharing the ruling you got in writing from the official rules organization!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 1, 2015
Donation
>From: Alice S via PayPal
>Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 9:24 PM
>Subject: Reference: MJ@Sloperama Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers - Donation from Alice S (ali1)
>PayPal
>Hello Thomas Sloper,
>This email confirms that you have received a donation of$25.00 USD from Alice S (ali1). You can view the transaction details online.
>Donation Details
>Total amount: $25.00 USD
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>Sincerely,
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Thank you very much, Alice!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 1, 2015
Old mahjong set
>From: Donna W <spoon_lady
>To: "tomster@sloperama" <tomster@sloperama>
>Cc: Donna W <spoon_lady
>Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 5:50 AM
>Subject: Old mahjong set
>My friend, Ninon S, has a mahjong set that she would like to know more about. I am including a written description, provenance, and in separate emails, the pictures. Can you help us or point us to a site that can help us?
>COUNTERS- 35 pieces of 1 point
> 36 pieces of 2 points
> 8 pieces of 5 points
> 35 pieces of 10 points
> Plus a broken 10 point,
> a broken 1point
>and several with the dots worn off.
>TILES - The tiles are bone and bamboo, 2.1 cm x 3 cm x 1 cm thick; ratio of about 3/4 bamboo to 1/4 bone.
>FLOWERS - 4 flowers with red numbers
> 4 "flowers" with green numbers
> depicting fireworks
>WINDS - 16 total winds ( 4 N, 4 S, 4 E, 4 W)
>DRAGONS - 4 red, 4 green, 4 white (blank)
>SUITS -
>Characters; all tiles present
> They have the older, simple Character sign
>Dots; all tiles present
> The one dot has a five point red star in the middle, green spokes, and a blue outer ring
>Bamboos; all tiles present
> The one Bam bird has a blue body, green
> wings, black parallel lines for the tail,
> and red feet. He is left facing.
>8 Bam has the number in the middle of the tile
>EXTRA TILES - there are 4 extra blank tiles
> ( in addition to the 4 White Dragons )
>WIND INDICATORS - a small tubular black container with a Chinese symbol on the top of the lid, holds 4 indicators ( varying thicknesses )
>BOX - The box measures 16 1/4 cm wide, 20 1/4 cm long, 13 cm high, by 16 1/4 cm deep. It has brass corners and 2 brass handles. The face plate pulls up (and away) two reveal two drawers; the top one shallow with 4 trays, and the bottom one deep with no divisions.
>The front plate ( that covers the drawers ) has two large Chinese symbols on it and a decorative brass plate at the top. The pulls look like circles but the right half flips out to make the drawer pulls. The wood is a dark, reddish color, maybe mahogany, with a lighter wood drawer construction.
>PROVENANCE- " My name is Ninon S. This set came to me from my mother, Edith Genoyer. I understand that it was given to her by her cousin, Marc Genoyer, on his return from Indochina in 1913. He was in the French navy, and was killed in the Dardanelles battle in 1915."
>There are a few paper pieces from "Rules of the Game" in French in the box, probably sold separately for French speakers:
>page 3 & 4 = Historical .....
>page 13 & 14 = pieces & description
>page 15 & 16 = table de marque
>My name is Donna W and my email is spoon_lady@... I will be sending the pictures that accompany this description from that address and identify them with my name.
>Thank you so very much, Donna
>From: Donna W <spoon_lady
>To: tomster@sloperama
>Cc: Donna W <spoon_lady
>Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 6:02 AM
>Subject: Old mahjong set Donna W
>From: Donna W <spoon_lady
>To: tomster@sloperama
>Cc: Donna W <spoon_lady
>Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 6:03 AM
>Subject: Old mahjong set. Donna W
>From: Donna W <spoon_lady
>To: tomster@sloperama
>Cc: Donna W <spoon_lady
>Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 6:04 AM
>Subject: Old mahjong set. Donna W
>From: Donna W <spoon_lady
>To: tomster@sloperama
>Cc: Donna W <spoon_lady
>Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 6:05 AM
>Subject: Old mahjong set. Donna W
>From: Donna W <spoon_lady
>To: tomster@sloperama
>Cc: Donna W <spoon_lady
>Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 6:06 AM
>Subject: Old mahjong set. Donna W
>From: Donna W <spoon_lady
>To: tomster@sloperama
>Cc: Donna W <spoon_lady
>Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 6:06 AM
>Subject: Old mahjong set. Donna W
>From: Donna W <spoon_lady
>To: tomster@sloperama
>Cc: Donna W <spoon_lady
>Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 6:07 AM
>Subject: Old mahjong set. Donna W
>From: Donna W <spoon_lady
>To: tomster@sloperama
>Cc: Donna W <spoon_lady
>Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 6:07 AM
>Subject: Old mahjong set. Donna W
>From: Donna W <spoon_lady
>To: tomster@sloperama
>Cc: Donna W <spoon_lady
>Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 6:08 AM
>Subject: Old mahjong set. Donna W
Hello, Donna. You wrote:
I am including a written description, provenance, and in separate emails, the pictures.
Yes, so I see!
Can you help us or point us to a site that can help us?
I can help you. What do you want to know? You didn't ask a question.
I understand that it was given to her by her cousin, Marc Genoyer, on his return from Indochina in 1913.
No, that didn't happen. This set didn't exist until at least 7 years later. Standing by for a question...
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 1, 2015
Please settle this argument about latecomers
>From: Jack E
>Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2015 12:53 PM
>Subject: please settle this argument
>Hi Tom,
>Once again my wife and I need you to settle an argument for us!
>A little background is in order. We play the tournament version of mah jong (the "Official Chinese" version) and play for small prizes. Normal playing time is from noon until 6 pm and we allow people to start late or quit early. Usually this is inconsequential but sometimes a player will show up about halfway through the session or even later. The question (argument) is this: Does the late starter have an advantage or disadvantage over the other players? Assume that the late starter doesn't modify his/her playing style based on the performance of the others to that point. Also assume that everyone starts with the same number of bones. Thanks.
>Jack & Lily E
Hi, Jack. I don't have enough information about the argument.
One of you (it doesn't matter to me which) believes that the latecomer has an advantage. How so? And what proposal is on the table to deal with the advantage?
The other one believes that the latecomer is at a disadvantage. In what way? And what proposal is on the table to deal with the disadvantage?
Clearly, the latecomer stands to win or lose much less than the others. But so what? Maybe that person has a busier life than the rest. I'm unclear on what the problem is.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 30, 2015
East receiving extra
>From: "Jerry D R
>Sent: Monday, June 29, 2015 10:35 AM
>Subject: East receiving extra pay for mahing
>Hi Tom,
>I was playing the other day and someone thought that East will be paid double just for Mahing. Have you ever heard of this?
>Thanks,
>Sue
Sure I have, Sue. This person who said that probably plays some other mah-jongg variant (not American mah-jongg).
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 29, 2015
Is this considered poor Mah Jongg etiquette?
>From: June S
>Sent: Monday, June 29, 2015 7:28 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>Some of the ladies in my Mah Jongg groups like to point out that they know what someone is going for when part of a hand is disclosed on the rack. Is this considered poor Mah Jongg etiquette? I say not everyone may know what they know and it is an individual game not a “team sport.” Am I just being too sensitive?
Hi, June.
Yes, I consider it poor Mah Jongg sportsmanship to draw other players' attention to one player's exposures. You're not being too sensitive. Your ladies "like to point out that they know what someone is going for," you said. Well, check out the post "I think this is an etiquette question," From: Susan B and
Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2015 (below). The unsportsmanlike conduct she reported was a lady who "tells everyone which hands that person is going for."
Your ladies are just know-it-all showoffs, but Susan B's lady is a downright blabbermouth stool pigeon fink!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 29, 2015
Hoping you are too busy having fun
>From: Shelly
>Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2015 9:26 PM
>Subject: Just a note of thanks
>Have been following your web site for years and notice you are not as active as you have been.
>Hoping you are to busy having fun.
>If not just know, I'm sending my good wishes that all is well with you and those you love.
>Fondly,
>Shelly B
>P.S. As we used to say, "Peace" and now " May The Jokers Be With You Always"
Hi, Shelly.
I'm just as active as always here on the bulletin board. I have been sloughing off on the strategy columns, though, because I'm happily overworked ("happily" because it means extra money). And I noticed that I get more email when I don't write a column than when I do, so you could think of it as a sly way of getting more emails to post here on the board.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 29, 2015
Quints #2
>From: Gail E L
>Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2015 9:39 PM
>Subject: Quints hand
>Just to clarify.
>The 2nd hand
>The pairs are in the first position
>Can the pairs be in the second or third position in a run?
>I answer questions all day but this one, they didn't believe me, so I said I would ask you.
>Thanks
>Grace
Hi, Grace.
Read "Frequently Asked Question"
16. You can link to the FAQs above left.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 26, 2015
What is all this musical chairs nonsense, part 3
>From: "lindaz
>Sent: Friday, June 26, 2015 2:03 PM
>Subject: response to Rosemary 6/25
>It seems as if you are a very serious player but may be missing the benefits of the social aspect of MJ. I enjoy playing competitively but my group now includes 2 ladies who have memory problems. They are good friends. I suggested to my group that they not be seated at the same table--they need help remembering which pass is next in the Charleston, which pass they are on, # of tiles in their rack, etc. My group agrees and we strive to keep them at separate tables so we can monitor things. It takes patience and gentleness to assist them--but so what? We are making them happy and helping people in need who need kindness and respect. Isn't that more important than winning? If you want competitive MJ you should strictly play tournaments. I understand your frustration, but I have learned to put things in perspective.
>Linda
What is all this musical chairs nonsense, part 2
>From: Donna
>Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2015 4:38 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>Rotating players:
>At our community groups we love it when there is an extra person or two as they are the 'floaters'. As soon as one table is done, east gets up and the floater takes their place. It continues in this manner.
>If we have no extra players, we suggest people 'be patient, have a cookie, go to the restroom' or set up the wall slowly and another table will be done and easts can change places.
>This two options work well for us and I love playing with different people.
>Donna
>California
Nice, Donna. (^_^)
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 25, 2015
What is all this musical chairs nonsense, hmmmm?
>From: Rosemary R
>Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2015 7:06 AM
>Subject: Musical chairs Mah Jongg
>I am 82, college degree, retired teacher. We play every Wed. at the golf club where several of us learned to play 2 years ago. In the meantime, I have played 3 times a week in Florida at 4 different sites and even now play an additional day of the week with Jewish friends at a Community Center. Never have I seen or heard of a "rule" that includes a kind of "musical chairs" between games. East must move to the next table...in effect, making everyone play with different players each time. To me, this causes unnecessary disruption..and is inconvenient, since not all games end at the same time. Also, some people arrive at different times, causing more disruption, expecting others to move to accommodate them. We are told by the woman that taught us that this is "how it's always done"! Hmmmm?
Hi, Rosemary.
This is a first. I usually get questions from the other side; people who want to encourage mixing. But before I go into that more, let me address your primary question.
There is no "rule" about table rotation, for the simple reason that the official rules assume one table. For instance, a game at someone's home, just 4 people (or 3, or 5). The League has not codified any rules for community centers or golf clubs or even tournaments. So that's the answer to the question you asked.
I encourage you to consider this from the vantage point of your teacher, or the activities director at the golf club or community center. She has a diverse constituency to serve; it doesn't serve her purposes if cliques are formed, with tightknit foursomes excluding newcomers. She wants people to have opportunities to play with others. So she has to come up with some way to rotate players between tables. There are formalized procedures used by tournament organizers, in a setting where everyone starts playing at the same time and finishes at the same time. But those procedures can't always work in the sort of situation you describe. And it's people like her who write me asking for my ideas about how to best arrange things. You can scroll down and read "Rotating players with multiple tables," From: Sharron B, Sent: Monday, May 18, 2015.
As for that thing you said about games not ending at the same time, I discussed that with Linda Z in "How do you determine rotation, part 2" in November 2013 (there's a link in the Sharron B post below).
I see the problem but I don't have a ready solution. If you don't like the way your teacher handles things, you can discuss with her some ideas that might suit her needs while also suiting the desires of all the players. But I don't have any magic answers for you (or for her). I suppose in another 15 or 20 years I may have to deal with such matters myself, but since I don't have to deal with such matters yet, I haven't come up with any handy solutions.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 25, 2015
Can I use zero in Consecutive Runs? (part 2)
>From: "mariab
>Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2015 8:49 AM
>Subject: Re: re question
>thanks. answer is no
Yup. And now you know where the FAQs are!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom
How do you deal with a chatty player?
>From: John and Connie W
>Cc: Georgia Q
>Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2015 8:22 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>How do you deal with a chatty player? She talks about subjects other than Mah Jongg throughout the game and distracts the thinking process of all players. She was told prior to joining our group that she would need to curb her natural tendency to chat as Mah Jongg is a game that requires concentration. When first learning she was fairly quiet but now she’s back to her chatty distracting self. Is there a polite way to let her know she’s affecting the game and annoying the other players? Or just go for it and tell her to be quiet.
>Thank you for any suggestions you may have.
>Connie W
>johncon640
>p.s.: I’ve shared your website with our Mah Jongg group
Hi, Connie.
Is there a polite way to tell someone she's distracting the thinking process of everyone else in the room? Sure, but I'm not going to give you a magic string of words. You say she was already told that she would need to curb that natural tendency of hers, since the game requires concentration. She simply has to be reminded of it, again and again. Tell her before starting the next game. Tell her again as soon as she starts chatting when people have tiles on their racks. The time for chatting is between hands, not during. Count how many times you remind her, and give her the count. "That's three times we've had to remind you today, dear. Now play." It's like Marge Simpson said: "This can be fixed with some gentle nagging."
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 24, 2015
Can I use zero in Consecutive Runs?
>From: "mariab
>To: tom@sloperama
>Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2015 7:22 AM
>Subject: Fwd: re question
>From: mariab
>To: tom@soperama
>Sent: 6/24/2015 10:20:17 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
>Subj: re question
>can 2 white dragons be used as zeros to start 11, 22. 33, 44, 55, 66. or must it be all numbers and no zero?
>maria b
Hi, Maria.
Welcome to my website. The question you have asked has been asked many times before. It's a "Frequently Asked Question" (an FAQ). I have written answers to all the most-frequently-asked questions, and you can link to them above left. In regards to your question:
Please read FAQ 19-BH.
You can link to the FAQs above left.
After you've landed at the
FAQ 19
page, please bookmark it so you can easily return to it anytime you have a mah-jongg question.
Answers to all of the most frequently-asked questions about
American (NMJL)
mah-jongg are found in
FAQ 19.
Please always check the FAQs first, before asking me a question. Thanks!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 24, 2015
Donation and column questions
>From: Tom R via PayPal
>To: Thomas Sloper
>Sent: Monday, June 22, 2015 8:52 AM
>Subject: Reference: MJ@Sloperama Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers - Donation from Tom R (tomjaner...
>PayPal
>Hello Thomas Sloper,
>This email confirms that you have received a donation of$5.00 USD from Tom R (tomjaner...). You can view the transaction details online.
>Donation Details
>Total amount: $5.00 USD
>Currency: U.S. Dollars
>Reference: MJ@Sloperama
>Confirmation number: ####
>Purpose: Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers
>Contributor: Tom R
>Sincerely,
>PayPal
>From: Tom and Jane
>To: Tom Sloper
>Sent: Monday, June 22, 2015 9:34 AM
>Subject: Thanks!
>Hi Tom, thank you for the answer you provided. I am going through the "strategy" q & a and learning a lot. I donated, just so you know I am not a freeloader. Just wondering if it is possible to use tiles (like most of my friends' sets and mine) that have numbers on all the tiles for your examples?? I have a hard time knowing the dif btwn 6,8,9 on the dots and bams. Just a thought.
>Jane
>From: Tom and Jane
>To: Tom Sloper
>Sent: Monday, June 22, 2015 9:45 AM
>Subject: column #635, #2
>Hi Tom, Why wouldn't you work toward S & P #6 (9,8 & 7) with this hand having 8 tiles toward it? You could pass 3B, 4D & Green Dragon.
>Jane
>From: Tom and Jane
>Sent: Monday, June 22, 2015 10:09 AM
>Subject: Column 635, # 5
>Why wouldn't you go toward quints #3 with W wind, red dragon and 3C? You would have 6 tiles towards it?
>Jane
Hi, Jane. Thanks for the donation. You wrote:
Just wondering if it is possible to use tiles (like most of my friends' sets and mine) that have numbers on all the tiles for your examples?? I have a hard time knowing the dif btwn 6,8,9 on the dots and bams.
I use a computer font to display those, because that's much MUCH less time-consuming than using images. In my opinion, the 6D and 8D and 9D and 8B font characters are easy to distinguish - and the only tricky ones are 6B and 9B. I could, I suppose, if I wasn't overworked, take the time to modify the font - but I don't have time, and don't know when I will. I think the answer is to make them bigger. I can make them bigger, but then the images will be larger (which sort of amounts to the same thing as a reader zooming in on them, except then one is also enlarging the text)... sorry, just thinking out loud. I don't have a reasonable solution to that problem (6B / 9B), sorry.
column #635, #2... Why wouldn't you work toward S & P #6 (9,8 & 7) with this hand having 8 tiles toward it? You could pass 3B, 4D & Green Dragon.
I don't like S&P if I don't have parts of most of the needed singles and pairs (singles being easier to get than pairs). I don't have any 9Bs and I need a pair of them. I need a pair of 8Ds and I don't have any. That's really a long shot.
Column 635, # 5
... Why wouldn't you go toward quints #3 with W wind, red dragon and 3C? You would have 6 tiles towards it?
Janice E wrote me about that one on May 19. I appended my conversation with her to column 635 (and it's here on the board, down below).
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 22, 2015
Your column
>From: Stacey N
>Sent: Monday, June 22, 2015 10:33 AM
>Subject: column
>I just wanted to let you know how much I have appreciated your column. I have been playing about a year now, and was really struggling with the Charleston stage. I happened upon your column, studied it, have practiced (I play games with myself...It's excellent, condensed practice) and am already feeling more confident! I see you haven't posted a new one in a couple of weeks, I hope everything is ok. Is there way to be on a mailing list so that when you post a new column I am notified?
>Thank,
>Stacey N
Hi, Stacey.
I get more mail when I don't write the column than when I do! Everything's OK, I'm just overworked (and that's a good thing, because I'm being paid). I don't know how to set up a mailing list that's easy to manage, and I don't want to take the time to learn how. Sorry about that, Chief! (That last thing was a frequently heard line from Get Smart.)
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 22, 2015
Donation
>From: Elinor G via PayPal
>To: Thomas Sloper
>Sent: Monday, June 22, 2015 2:05 AM
>Subject: Notification of donation received
>PayPal
>You've Got Cash!
>Hello Thomas Sloper,
>This email confirms that you have received a donation of $10.00 USD from Elinor G
>Receipt ID: ####
>The number above is the donor's receipt ID for this transaction. Please retain it for your records so that you will be able to reference this transaction for customer service.
>View the details of this transaction online
>Donation Details
>Total amount: $10.00 USD
>Currency: U.S. Dollars
>Reference: MJ@Sloperama
>Confirmation number: ####
>Purpose: Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers
>Contributor: Elinor G
>Sincerely,
>PayPal
Thanks, Elinor!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 22, 2015
Where to find cheap mah-jongg accessories?
From: Wilma Turetzky
Sent: Sunday, June 21, 2015 9:02 AM
Subject: where to find inexpensive replacement case for vintage maj jongg set
Tom,
I am trying to find an inexpensive replacement set [sic] for my 1940's era maj jongg set. I do not like the new aluminum cases. I would prefer a faux wood look case.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.
Wilma Turetzky
wilma.turetzky@indstate.edu
Hi, Wilma. You can try the vendors listed in FAQ 4A. And you can try the Accessories For Sale bulletin board. I'm posting this on the Accessories Wanted board.
May the inexpensive case be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
Father's Day, 2015
Can I claim a discarded redeemable tile?
>From: Elinor G
>Sent: Sunday, June 21, 2015 9:59 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is: I've checked through the list of answers but can't find this one. Can a player pick a discard, exchange it for a joker in an exposed hand (person who discarded didn't see the opportunity), and then use the joker for mah Jongg?
Please read Frequently Asked Question 19-G-2. I infer that you already know that you can link to the FAQs above left. You can also see rule 5 on page 19 of the official NMJL rulebook, Mah Jongg Made Easy (everybody who plays should have a copy).
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
Summer Solstice, 2015
Ashy, dried-out Bakelite
>From: Albert M
>Sent: Friday, June 19, 2015 1:34 AM
>Subject: Question about Bakelite Tiles Drying Out
>Hello Mr. Sloper,
>First, I want to thank you for your amazing website and the contributions you have made to Mahjong. You are, I believe, the foremost expert on Mahjong in the entire world and it is a privilege just to be emailing you. I know your time is valuable so I will attempt to be brief.
>I recently opened a new package of black bakelite tiles. Some have a slightly ashy appearance on the sides which seems like dryness. Is it possible for bakelite to dry out and change appearance? I have tried holding these pieces in my hand for a minute to allow natural skin oils to moisturize the surfaces and this changes the ashy-ness into a richer more solid color like the nicer looking tiles in the set. Is this a bad idea? Is there a better way to moisturize bakelite? Am I entirely incorrect in this observation?
>Thank you very much,
>Al
Hi, Al. Sorry for the delay. Working weekend. You wrote:
...new package of black bakelite tiles...
Bakelite tiles would be old, so I'm not sure your tiles are Bakelite (also, although I have seen black tiles, and have some in my collection, I have not seen black Bakelite tiles). Just not really sure they're Bakelite, is what I'm saying.
Some have a slightly ashy appearance on the sides which seems like dryness. Is it possible for bakelite to dry out and change appearance?
I think that's the wrong question. Clearly it's possible for whatever plastic you have to have an ashy appearance. Old plastics do degrade with time, especially under unknown storage conditions. You should read through FAQ seven oh (7o - I write that out so it doesn't look like I'm saying seventy) and see what kind of care tips people have sent in. You can link to the FAQs above left.
I have tried holding these pieces in my hand for a minute to allow natural skin oils to moisturize the surfaces and this changes the ashy-ness into a richer more solid color like the nicer looking tiles in the set. Is this a bad idea?
The alternative would be what, to wear gloves so skin oils never touch the tiles? Tiles are supposed to be touched. If skin oil improves their appearance, I'm all for it.
Is there a better way to moisturize bakelite?
I don't know if there is, and I don't know if your tiles are Bakelite. See what you can find in FAQ 7-o. I'm sure your tiles will be just fine.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
Father's Day / Summer Solstice: June 21, 2015
Donation
>From: Leslie C via PayPal
>Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2015 3:41 PM
>Subject: Reference: MJ@Sloperama Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers - Donation from Leslie C
>PayPal
>Hello Thomas Sloper,
>This email confirms that you have received a donation of $1.00 USD from Leslie C. You can view the transaction details online.
>Donation Details
>Total amount: $1.00 USD
>Currency: U.S. Dollars
>Reference: MJ@Sloperama
>Confirmation number: #########
>Purpose: Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers
>Contributor: Leslie C
>Sincerely,
>PayPal
Thanks, Leslie.
Is this a Frankenstein set?
>From: Leslie C
>Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2015 12:57 PM
>Subject: Pushers
>First of all thank you!
>I have a set I am trying to sell. Have identified the tiles as fishbone (with your help) but the set also has these pushers that look like bakelite to me. Did they mix the two materials in one set? It is a Royal brand if that helps.
>Thanks again,
>Leslie
Hi, Leslie.
Those colored plastic things aren't "pushers." They're "racks." See Frequently Asked Question 7-D. You can link to the FAQs above left.
Also, your tiles are not fishbone. They're plastic. Read FAQ 7C again, and also read FAQ 7C3.
No Doctor Frankenstein cobbled your set together. Oh - and as to the way you arranged your tiles for the photo, I recommend you see FAQ 7B.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 20, 2015
Three players went dead. What now?
>From: Ron & Harriet H
>Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2015 11:42 AM
>Subject: Question re dead hands
>Yesterday 3 players had declared dead hands. 2 had incorrect # tiles. Then the 2 remaing players continued playing. One of these players then declared a dead hand. What is the ruling on the remaing player with a legit hand. By the way, the next tile that player would have drawn would have been for maj. Yesterday I was told that there was no winner. That doesn't seem right but since I am new to the game, I'm asking for an official ruling. Hope this never happens again.
>Thank you.
Hi, Ron & Harriet.
I don't understand. Do your players routinely call themselves dead? Because that's against the rules. See Frequently Asked Question 19-AC. You can link to the FAQs above left.
But you asked about what happens when 3 players go dead. See FAQ 19-BW.
After you've landed at the
FAQ 19
page, please bookmark it so you can easily return to it anytime you have a mah-jongg question.
Answers to all of the most frequently-asked questions about
American (NMJL)
mah-jongg are found in
FAQ 19.
Please always check the FAQs first, before asking me a question. Thanks!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 20, 2015
Is RDWW out of date?
>From: Elizabeth B
>Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2015 8:37 AM
>Subject: Rules NMJL in your book Red Dragon and West Wind
>I am a new player and have purchased your book which has been very helpful to me. I only have my new card 2015 and no others to review the rules. Have there been any additions or corrections to the 2006 rules printed in your book? I really want to play with all the knowledge I can have.
>Thanks,
>Ann
Hello, Ann.
My apologies for the late response. I had not been checking my email spam folder, and only now found your email. As I told ... oh wait, that was you too!
...Never mind!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
Juneteenth, 2015
When did this store get defunked?
>From: Felice <compukiel
>Sent: Friday, June 19, 2015 4:27 PM
>Subject: Defunked Mah Jonng Store
>I have researched the seller's label but can't find a date as to when it closed. I have 2 sets.
>And all I can find is
>and
>were from the 1940's. Any idea when this store closed? I think these sets based on 16, and 14 flowers
Hi, Felice.
Took me a while to realize what "defunked" meant - you meant "defunct," or in other words when did the store shut down. I have no idea myself, but maybe a reader will know something!
By the way: have you read column 509? http://www.sloperama.com/mahjongg/column509.htm
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
Juneteenth, 2015
Column 636, part 2
>From: Tom and Jane
>Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2015 9:58 AM
>Subject: Re: newsletter #636
>So sorry, it was on point #5.
>Jane R
Hi, Jane.
I did identify Odds #4 as one option, and Consec. #1 as another. The tiles I chose to pass preserve both of those options. The main problem with Odds #4 is that you have two incomplete pairs, whereas for Consec. #1 you have only one incomplete pair. As you noted, there is one extra tile towards the Odds option.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 18, 2015
Column 636
>From: Tom and Jane
>Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2015 4:08 PM
>Subject: newsletter #636
>Hi Tom, I enjoy your website, just discovered it two days ago. You think logically and I can usually gain much by following your reasoning. But I am puzzled as to why you would not save the tiles to try for ODD # 4 which would give you 6 tiles rather than save the tiles to try for Consecutive Run #1 which would give you only 5 tiles? Is it because you have neither the 1 or 5 crak pair whereas you already have the 9 dot pair ?
>Thank you, Jane R
Hi, Jane. Glad you found my column and find it interesting. Which puzzle in the above are you referring to?
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 17, 2015
When can I redeem, part 2
>From: Suzanne B
>Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2015 6:13 AM
>Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>Hi Tom...thanks for such a speedy reply! However there does seem to be a controversy. Your first response to my inquiry ....
>When is it too late to claim a discard?
>A: The "window of opportunity" (during which a player may claim a discard) opens when a tile is "down," and closes when next player either racks, discards, declares mah-jongg, or exchanges a joker.
>This would indicate that the exchanging of the joker denotes the start of her "turn" and the previous discard is not available.
>However....On reading more detail as suggested.
>Q: 1. When can I redeem a joker? 2. Can I redeem a joker before I take a discard? Can I redeem a joker after I take a discard for exposure? 3. Can I redeem a joker atop my own rack?
>A: 1, 2. You can redeem a joker only when it is your turn. When it is your turn, you must first bring a 14th tile into the hand, before you can redeem a joker. There are two ways to bring a 14th tile into the hand - by picking from the wall OR by taking a discard for exposure. THEN, after picking (or after taking and exposing a COMPLETE* exposure), you may redeem jokers from atop anyone's rack (including your own). Then you may discard or declare mah-jongg (either of which ends your turn).
>This would seem to indicate that if "she" hasn't picked up a tile and racked it, then the previous discard is still available. (?)
> (Eeek! Which is it. Actually I like the first best 'cos I've always taught that although advisable to pick up BEFORE making a joker exchange, it is not a hard rule....just a tip so as not to forget in one's excitement, then discard and now only have 12 tiles.)
>thanks as always...Suzanne
Hi, Suzanne. You wrote:
>A: The "window of opportunity" (during which a player may claim a discard) opens when a tile is "down," and closes when next player either racks, discards, declares mah-jongg, or exchanges a joker.
>This would indicate that the exchanging of the joker denotes the start of her "turn" and the previous discard is not available.
No. In order to redeem a joker, a player must first have 14 tiles in her hand. That means a player would have to either call a discard and make an exposure, then redeem the joker - or pick from the wall, and then redeem the joker. Imagine a player picks from the wall, and sees that the tile she picked can be exchanged. She can immediately make the exchange, closing the window on the previous discard. That's what the FAQ answer is referring to.
This would seem to indicate that if "she" hasn't picked up a tile and racked it, then the previous discard is still available. (?)
Yes. The previous discard is still live, up until the time she racks her pick, discards her pick, or redeems her pick.
I've always taught that although advisable to pick up BEFORE making a joker exchange, it is not a hard rule....
No. It is a hard rule.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 16, 2015
Can the last discard be claimed for mah-jongg?
>From: Rosemary T
>Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2015 6:34 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is: Can Mah-Jongg be called by a player when the last tile in the game is discarded by another player? Thank you
Yes, of course it can. If the tile gives you mah-jongg, declare mah-jongg. If nobody could win on the last discard, there'd be no reason for making the last discard (the rules would say that the last player does not discard - and the rules don't say that). In Asian versions of mah-jongg, this rare event adds to your score. (You don't need to know that last thing I said, so don't read it.)
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 16, 2015
When can I redeem a joker?
>From: Suzanne B
>Sent: Monday, June 15, 2015 7:54 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>I have taught many ladies in my community and can usually answer any questions. But here's what occurred...
>An exposure, already "up" had a Joker in it.
>The game was progressing correctly.
>A discard had been laid
>Then the next person, correctly, as it was her turn, made the play to exchange the correct tile for the exposed Joker.
>However, someone then called for the previously discarded tile.
>The player making the Joker exchange said she could not as her "Turn" was now in play.
>But she had not picked up from the wall and "racked" a tile prior to conducting the Joker exchange, so I said the discard was still available for calling. And it was no longer "her turn".
>She claimed that....the act of exchanging the tile for the Joker constituted the start of her turn and thus the previous discard was dead.
>Who was right? Thanks so much
>Suzanne
Hi, Suzanne.
Please read Frequently Asked Question 19-M. You can link to the FAQs above left.
After you've landed at the
FAQ 19
page, please bookmark it so you can easily return to it anytime you have a mah-jongg question.
Answers to all of the most frequently-asked questions about
American (NMJL)
mah-jongg are found in
FAQ 19.
Please always check the FAQs first, before asking me a question. Thanks!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 15, 2015
When was this joker design introduced?
>From: Linda M
>Sent: Monday, June 15, 2015 4:46 PM
>Subject: joker question
>Hi Tom,
>Would you happen to know when the most recent Mah Jongg joker design, the one commonly seen on new sets, (with what appears to be flames coming out of the upper right area of a circle) was introduced? I read FAQ 7G, column 311, and searched the internet, but couldn't find the answer to my question. I am trying to determine the earliest date a set that has that joker design could be.
>Thanks so much.
>Love your column.
>Linda M
Hi, Linda.
Oh, like this one:
Chris Schumann found that image about 4 years ago. You can see our exchange in FAQ 7E (the "mystery tiles" FAQ). But sorry, other than saying "probably sometime after 1961," I really have no idea. Sorry! You might want to try CHarli's website (it's listed in FAQ 4A).
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 15, 2015
The 1948 "flower bonus"
>From: Barbra J
>Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2015 10:55 AM
>Subject: 1948 nmjl card
>On the 1948 card there is a small section on the bottom of the 3rd panel of hands about flower bonuses. Unfortunately it is blurry and difficult to completely read what the instructions say on the left. Can you tell me about how the flower bonuses worked back then? We are thinking about trying to play an old card.
>Do you know what years the flower bonuses started and ended?
>Thanks
>Babs j
Hi Babs,
What do you mean, "it is blurry"? Are you trying to play from a photograph?
Flowers were wild back then, and the flower bonus is essentially the ancestor of today's jokerless bonus. It says you get (or pay, no matter who you are*) 150 extra points if you have "only 6" flowers in a 2-septette hand. It says you get (or pay) 100 extra points if you have "only 4" flowers in a 2-sextette hand. And you get (or pay) 50 extra points if you're making a 2-quint hand with no more than 2 flowers in the kong.
*The fine print says the bonus (or payment**) applies the same to everyone, whether you're the dealer or the bettor or anything.
**If you're the winner or a winning bettor, it's a bonus you collect. If you're a non-winning player or bettor, it's a bonus you have to pay.
If you're trying to play from a blurry photograph of a 1948 card, you'll probably have a lot more questions. ...I shudder at the thought.
Oh. And no, I don't know when the flower bonus started; it evolved into today's jokerless bonus, clearly.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 14, 2015
Is RDWW out of date?
>From: Elizabeth B
>Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2015 8:01 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>> I have the book "The Red Dragon and The West Wind" with a set of 2006 NMJL rules. Have any of those rules been changed or new rules added? I am a new player and do not have any cards between 2006 rules and my new 2015 card. Please help!
>Thank you
Hi, Elizabeth.
I'm so glad you have my book. The rules described in that book are not "2006 rules." They are "American rules (NMJL)." The League has not changed its rules (they do not change the rules every year - they only change the list of hands every year). My book was not created to accompany any specific card -- I deliberately and carefully avoided using any hands from any NMJL card, to avoid copyright issues while informing readers of general principles about how cards are written and how to interpret them. I have created a document listing corrections and updates ("errata") to my book, and you can download the up-to-date errata at the RDWW page.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 13, 2015
After breaking the wall, where do the leftover tiles go?
>From: Betty W
>Sent: Friday, June 12, 2015 8:57 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>East rolls the dice. She breaks her wall, my group wants to know if there is a specific spot, say right or left of the rack she is using, where the remaining tiles are placed?
>(these tiles would be the last wall to use in the game) If not a rule how do we decide so all do the same? We play with racks. Thank you, I am new player and your site has helped tremendously!
>golfingbetty
Hi Betty,
I've noticed that my students often struggle with this, and I've even seen experienced players go through unnecessary steps when breaking the wall. So I'm declaring this a Frequently-Asked Question, and I'll add this to FAQ 19.
Here's where it begins (image below). You have a wall of 19 tiles (yellow) lined up behind a rack (light blue).
You're the "dealer" (or "East"). You roll the dice. Let's say you roll an eight.
The rack is in the way, making it difficult to break the wall cleanly, so you pull the rack back away from the wall (image below).
You count eight tiles from the right. Then, using your left hand, with your index finger at X (image below) and your thumb at y, you pull the tiles to the left and make a small break in the wall.
You want to use the rack to push out a nice straight wall, so you slide the rack to the left (image below).
Push the rack up into contact with the tiles (image above).
Place your left hand on the rack so that your index finger is at X and your thumb is at Y.
Put your right hand on the rack at Z, and push out with your right hand.
So you see that you have now served out the first wall (the tiles to the left of the break, see image above), leaving the tiles to the right of the break where they were. The tiles to the left of the break are the beginning of the wall, and the tiles to the right of the break are the back end of the wall.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 12, 2015
Why use dice?
>From: andrea r
>Sent: Friday, June 12, 2015 5:08 AM
>Subject: Starting the Game
>Hi tom,
>When starting the game per NMJL rules east rolls the dice then breaks the wall before picking tiles. Why is this done? Some of my collegues, push the
>Entire wall out to start the game and say it’s silly and a waste of time to roll the dice. Which method is correct and why?
>Thank you,
>Andrea
Good morning, Andrea.
Please read Frequently Asked Question 19-AP. You can link to the FAQs above left.
After you've landed at the
FAQ 19
page, please bookmark it so you can easily return to it anytime you have a mah-jongg question.
Answers to all of the most frequently-asked questions about
American (NMJL)
mah-jongg are found in
FAQ 19.
Please always check the FAQs first, before asking me a question. Thanks!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 12, 2015
Can you throw to four exposures?
>From: Gail E L
>Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2015 7:39 PM
>Subject: Mah Jongg question
>Can you ever throw to the fourth exposure?
>Thank you
>Grace
Grace, there is a difference between rules and strategies. There is no rule against throwing to any number of exposures. Read the card. Read the official rulebook. You'll find no such rule.
Secondly - I don't think there is any hand on the card that allows for four exposures prior to going mah-jongg. But let's imagine that there is such a thing. Or maybe you are talking about a player who has only three (not four) exposures showing. In either case, wouldn't you be able to tell what tile she needs?
If you throw her obvious hot tile, what clue do you have that she won't win on it? What I'm asking is: why would you want to throw it? Have you been watching her body language, have you determined that she isn't sitting there ready for the final tile you are going to throw?
If she wins on it, are you prepared for the ridicule you'll receive from the other players? For years to come? Including the retelling to other tables at tournaments, the giggles, the pointing, the smirks?
If you are absolutely certain that she can't win on the tile you're going to discard, can you call her dead? If you know she's dead, why don't you call her dead? If you are the only one who knows she's dead, and you throw what the others think is her hot tile, you could still have some splainin' to do later... the proof'll be in the pudding, though - if she doesn't go maj, you obviously did know something, and the others will want to know how you knew it.
But there is no rule against throwing to two, three, or four exposures. In a tournament, you could lose points for doing it - that does not mean there's a rule against it.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 9, 2015
She picks ahead, part 2
>From: Eileen J
>Sent: Monday, June 8, 2015 1:48 PM
>Subject: answer to picker aheader
>Dear Tom,
>Thank you for your reply to my question of 6/5.
>On 6/8 I called the MJ League and explained to them my problem with the picker - aheader. They said rule #1 on the back of the card must be followed at all times, it is not a suggestion. Rule 1. No picking or looking ahead. You can not touch a tile until the player before you has completed their turn.They said there is no reason to call her dead because she Can Not pick ahead period. They went on to say if the woman refuses to play by the rules she should not be allowed to play and asked what advanced group would allow this?
>I hope bringing attention to this "bad habit" will force the leader and players to strictly enforce this and all the rules. I think it's the rules that make MJ a friendly game in our homes or at the rec centers.
>Tom, I do value your input in this matter. It's hard to find a player's actions unacceptable when others say or do nothing. I'm wise enough to know most things don't matter tomorrow. When this player continued to pick ahead after I asked her not to I am glad I had you to turn to. You advocate sporting and honorable play and your columns caution use of aggressive and unkind behavior.
>I hope this issue will be settled without me having to make what you call, "the death challenge". Our leader said she will bring it up tomorrow.
>Thank you
>Eileen j
Good luck with that, Eileen. Hopefully your picker-aheader will accept the validity of the NMJL rule and will adopt a more harmonious style of play.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 8, 2015
Column feedback, part 4
>From: Belinda
>Sent: Monday, June 8, 2015 7:54 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>Your most recent column: #12 - how about Consecutive run #4 with 5B, 5D, 7B, 7D as hot tiles?
>Bee
Yep. Phyllis and Barbara beat you to it, though (below).
May the tiles be with you. - Tom
Column
feedback x3
>From: "row019
>Sent: Monday, June 8, 2015 5:12 AM
>Subject: Column 637
> Tom - Column 637, exposure#9. Couldn't this be Winds and Dragons #3? Pung any like odd number.
> Phyllis
>From: barbara H
>Sent: Monday, June 8, 2015 9:13 AM
>Subject: Your latest email
>For #12 of Column #637 Couldn't the player also be attempting Consecutive Run #4 with
>3 red Dragons and 3 of 6 Cracks?
>From: "Shipp, L
>Sent: Monday, June 8, 2015 9:34 AM
>Subject: Questions about Column #637
>Hi, Mr. Sloper.
> Re. Hand #9 within Column #637, couldn’t the player’s pung of 9s be exposed for Winds/Dragons #3 (i.e., Ns & Ss + odd nos.)?
> Re. Hand #12 within Column #637, couldn’t this also be Consecutive #4, with 5s and 7s in Bams and Dots being hot?
> Love your column,
>Libby
Good morning, ladies. Let's see what you wrote:
exposure#9. Couldn't this be Winds and Dragons #3? Pung any like odd number.
Very good, Phyllis. I missed that one.
For #12 ... Couldn't the player also be attempting Consecutive Run #4 with
>3 red Dragons and 3 of 6 Cracks?
You are right, Barbara. I missed that one.
Re. Hand #9 ..., couldn’t the player’s pung of 9s be exposed for Winds/Dragons #3 (i.e., Ns & Ss + odd nos.)?
> Re. Hand #12 ..., couldn’t this also be Consecutive #4, with 5s and 7s in Bams and Dots being hot?
Yep. Phyllis and Barbara beat you to it, though.
May the tiles be with you all.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 8, 2015
Where's the click, part 3
I just want to add something to the question Lynn asked about the window of opportunity in the American game. I think it's worth noting that in the official Chinese rules, the window of opportunity is open for 3 seconds. I think that is a generous and fair length of time. The NMJL has not codified a length of time for the window, but when there's a question about whether the rack or the call came first, it would not be unreasonable to apply the Chinese 3-second rule. In the official MCR, when the call is made within 3 seconds, the picker has to replace the tile on the wall, and the caller can have the discard.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 6, 2015
What's the objective of the game?
>From: Robin
>Sent: Saturday, June 6, 2015 6:57 AM
>Subject: Mah Jongg objective
>Hi. Is the objective of Mahj Jongg to win or to prevent others from winning? Oftentimes in our games, some of the players will throw a “hot” tile on the last wall when it’s pretty obvious what hand another player is going for by what’s showing. It frustrates me as I would break up my hand to prevent someone else from winning as I was taught by my mom.
>Thank you!
Hi, Robin. You wrote:
Is the objective of Mahj Jongg to win or to prevent others from winning?
Different players may have different objectives.
Most players, though, play mah-jongg (even American mah-jongg) as a gambling game. The objective is to wind up with more money than you started with. The way to do that is to win; failing that, to minimize losses.
Oftentimes in our games, some of the players will throw a “hot” tile on the last wall when it’s pretty obvious what hand another player is going for by what’s showing.
That's either poor strategy or not paying attention (on the part of your opponents). There's no good reason to throw a hot tile, unless the player has one hot tile standing between her and a win, and is willing to knowingly take the risk.
It frustrates me as I would break up my hand to prevent someone else from winning
That's just good strategy, given that the objective (when unable to win money) is to minimize money losses.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 6, 2015
Where's the click, part 2
>From: Lynn P
>Sent: Friday, June 5, 2015 10:56 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is: Sorry Tom, I meant to type “comment” instead of “column” referring to Donna on 6/2/15. I have to admit I didn’t read inside the parenthesis in the Quints section of the 2015 card since I don’t try those hands but was surprised that some players who do couldn’t figure out which hand Donna was playing.
>I understand about the tile not having to make a sound when player racks but... and this came up today. I am taking a deep breath before typing this: Can the tile be more than 1/2 way down the slanted rack and have clicked going down but not yet standing of its own free will on the bottom rack and be called “racked”? Another player said that the tile wasn’t yet racked fully because fingers were still on tile. (But if player had let go of tile it would have dropped nicely onto lower rack right below it.)
>My comment regarding Eileen’s question of 6/5/15: When we had a player not follow a couple of NMJL rules, we mentioned it to her, showed her where each rule was stated on card and/or in your book, “The Red Dragon & The West Wind” and said that if she wanted to continue to do these 2 things, then we all would do them so everyone would have an equal chance at winning. She decided she would follow the correct rules and everything has worked out fine. Again many thanks, Lynn P
Hi, Lynn. You wrote:
Can the tile be more than 1/2 way down the slanted rack and have clicked going down but not yet standing of its own free will on the bottom rack and be called “racked”? Another player said that the tile wasn’t yet racked fully because fingers were still on tile. (But if player had let go of tile it would have dropped nicely onto lower rack right below it.)
So what you're saying is that the call came at the same time the next player was racking. And you're asking, "what if the call comes simultaneous with the next player in turn racking?" All I can say at this point is, consider whether the picker picked and racked a little too quickly, or if the caller delayed just a hair too long. If a picker is pausing just a beat before picking, then she's allowed enough time for another player to call the live discard. Someone who doesn't speak until a reasonable-speed picker is in the act of racking has probably taken a hair too long deciding she wants the discard.
She decided she would follow the correct rules and everything has worked out fine.
Very nice!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 5, 2015
She picks ahead
>From: Eileen J
>Sent: Friday, June 5, 2015 6:15 PM
>Subject: picking ahead
>Dear Tom,
>I play with an advanced group in The Villages Fl with a women who consistently takes the next tile off the wall and positions it in front of her rack. She does this before the player in front of her has named and discarded the previous tile. I had the misfortune of following her for 3 rounds this week.
>I asked her to please not touch the tile from the wall until the previous tile was correctly named and discarded. She did not stop. Can I or should I have called her dead? Her doing this must of affected her ability to call a tile for an exposure. A few times she made the move to return said tile to the rack but under my glare she racked it. She MJ once and I walked away with $3.60 but she sucked the joy out of a game I love.
>When the game was over I asked the other 2 players at the table why they did not support my request and they said they didn't want a confrontation. I asked other members of this advanced group and they all said "that's Carol, she always picks ahead". What if we all were Carols?
>Other than not playing with this group what is your advice for me on how to cope with this type of mean spirited behavior? I would like to share your response with the leader of this group.
>Thank you,
>Eileen J
Hi Eileen,
I think it's aggressive and unkind for one player to pick ahead when nobody else is doing it. Either everybody does it or nobody does it. Since your other 2 players are wimps who don't "want a confrontation," you have very few options. You could talk about it with the group, and you could ask the players if they want to even the playing field - everybody pick ahead, since when she does it she gives other players no time to call the discard from the player who goes before her. If everybody picks ahead, nobody will ever have time to call any discard. Of course, when you say that last sentence, your picker-aheader will deny that the practice does any such thing, and she'll explain how she thinks it ought to work.
Since your other 2 players do not want to ever disagree with your picker-aheader on anything, they and you will have to go along with however your picker-aheader wants to do things. She becomes the de facto rule-setter for your group. Actually, she already is the rule-setter for your group, since the other 2 players back her up and not you. So you might as well find out what the rules are.
OR... since you clearly have some backbone, you could go ahead with your plan to call the picker-aheader dead every time she picks ahead. When anyone asks the basis, point to rule #1 on the back of the card. And just stand your ground.
Those are your 2 options, if you play with that group. Will be interesting to hear what happens.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 5, 2015
What the heck? And... Where's the click?
>From: Lynn P
>Sent: Friday, June 5, 2015 5:12 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is: Concerning Donna’s column of 6/2/15 about her winning a tournament with a hand of 7 jokers. Which hand was she playing on the NMJL 2015 card or was she playing using another year’s card. My MJ group was discussing this Q&A comment and none of us could figure out what hand it was.
>Also another item came into question today too. A player called a discard but another player said she had already racked. The player who called the discard said she didn’t hear the tile’s “click”! Now we are all over 70 so maybe some players’ hearing isn’t what it used to be but do you have to hear the click of the tile as it hits the bottom of the rack before tile is considered racked. Can the tile be sliding the down the back of the slanting rack and still be considered racked? Sometimes I think I am back in my classroom of 2nd and 3rd graders playing with some of these Mah Jongg players! But I figure where can I go for a Friday or Thursday afternoon and have some entertainment and snacks for $3 and $5 respectively? Well sometimes I win and sometimes I lose depending on whether the tiles and jokers are with me or not. Thanks to you for your book and your columns I win more than I lose. Hope your summer is an enjoyable one with not too much work that you can’t take time to smell the roses. Lynn P.
Hi, Lynn. You wrote:
Concerning Donna’s column of 6/2/15
Q&As on this board are not columns - the strategy articles I write are columns.
Which hand was she playing
She described the hand as
7C8C8C9C 8B8B8BJJ JJJJJ - so she was making Quints #2:
A player called a discard but another player said she had already racked. The player who called the discard said she didn’t hear the tile’s “click”!
Racking doesn't necessarily always make an audible click. The call was too late.
I win more than I lose.
Then you are definitely a better player than any of your opponents. Good going!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 5, 2015
I need 4 more tiles
>From: Beach Dorothy
>Sent: Friday, June 5, 2015 2:18 PM
>Subject: Mah Jongg
>Hi
>I was given a Mah Jongg set that has 148 tiles with green bases. There are no jokers but there are 4 blank tiles that I could use as jokers if I could find another 4.
>Do you know where I could find extra blank tiles or jokers to match this set ?
>Thanks.
>Dorothy
Welcome to my website, Dorothy.
Please read Frequently Asked Questions 7-Q & 7-R. You can link to the FAQs above left.
Answers to all of the most frequently-asked questions about
mah-jongg are found in the FAQs. Please always check the FAQs first, before asking me a question. Thanks!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 2, 2015
She They consistently stops the Charleston*
>From: margaret l
>Sent: Thursday, June 4, 2015 2:58 PM
>Subject: stopping the game
>At the senior center there are a number of people who consistently stop the game after the first Charleston. Now I know you do not have to have a reason but they do it almost every game which is quite annoying. Is there a tactful way to tell them not to stop the game every time...........not sure how to handle except just don't play with them..........thanks, marge
Hi, Marge.
I agree that it can be upsetting when a player does that. But you're asking me to give you a tactful way to tell someone something you have no right to tell her. And I can't do that. You can express to another player your unhappiness with her strategy, and you can even express to her that you are considering ceasing playing with her if she doesn't change her strategy. But you have no right to tell someone to stop stopping the Charleston.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 4, 2015
* I had initially misread the email, and my response was in the singular when it should have been in the plural - Tom
Two old and beautiful sets (and a rare pamphlet)
>From: Elise B
>Sent: Thursday, June 4, 2015 10:33 AM
>Subject: Rare pamphlet question
>Hi Tom,
>Thank you so much for your site. I'll get right to it. I purchased two
>Mahjong sets in a consignment shop about a year and a half ago. I don't
>know much about Mahjong but I love old and beautiful things, and I've
>played a few times with my sisters.
>Set 1 -
>The sets came from different owners. One set the consignment shop owner
>didn't know much about, but it came with a pamphlet that reads
>"Directions For Playing "Ma-Joe" by Yue Sing Zing & Co. I'll attach
>pictures. Might these actually be ivory and how can I tell. I will
>probably keep this set as
Set 2 - (Pictures sent in separate email)
>The other set was owned by a woman who lived in Gui Lin, China with her
>husband in the 1940s. She said the set is Water Buffalo Bone and bamboo
>(the bamboo is obvious). From your description, this is a non-export
>set. The tiles have no Arabic numerals. The set is not in it's original
>box, and the is well used. They smell of incense whenever you open the
>box. (I love that).
>I'm wondering if you might help me estimate an age for this set and give
>me any information to help me determine authenticity. Because the box
>is not original and the tiles don't fit perfectly, the previous owner
>put Chinese newspaper and some other paper with Chinese writing along
>side to keep them in place. I'll include pictures of those as well. I
>will happily provide more pictures if you need them.
>Thank you for any help you can provide,
>Elise B
>
>From: Elise B
>Sent: Thursday, June 4, 2015 10:35 AM
>Subject: Mahjong set 2 - pictures
>Here are the pictures of the second set.
>Thank you again!
>-Elise B
Hi, Elise. It's inconvenient for me when you ask questions about two sets in one email, but I'll see what I can do. In my reply, I am only answering the questions you asked specifically.You wrote:
Might these actually be ivory [set 1]
They are not.
and how can I tell.
Please read Frequently Asked Question 7c & 7c2. You can link to the FAQs above left.
Please always check the FAQs first, before asking me a question. Thanks!
I'm wondering if you might help me estimate an age for this set [set 2]
The tiles could have been made anytime from the 1940s to the 1990s. The tiles have been artificially aged. How can I tell? The tile has jokers, which were not made until the 1930s at the earliest.
And the set uses the rectangular white dragon design instead of blank tiles, the modern-style crak character (wan), and there's a lot of dirt in the gap between bone and bamboo.
The set is not in its original box,
That's true of both sets. Neither is in its original case. That reduces the value. You mentioned the "rare pamphlet" in the subject line of your first email, but you never asked about it. I agree that that booklet is rare, since I have never seen one like it before.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 4, 2015
Donation
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Thanks again, Anita. Much appreciated!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 2, 2015
A maj tile was misnamed
>From: jdbassoc
>Sent: Tuesday, June 2, 2015 4:32 PM
>Subject: miss called tile
>If a tile is miss called but the caller quickly corrects herself, can the individual who needs the tile for mah jongg claim it for a mah jongg? For example: the tile is called 5 crack but it is a 5 dot and quickly corrected, can the 5 dot be considered for mj?
>Thanks, Marie
Hi, Marie.
I have not seen an official ruling from the NMJL on this, so I can only tell you my opinion. Let's look at a few scenarios.
Abigail discards 5D and says, "Five crak. No, five dot!" Betty, who needs 5C for mah-jongg, saw that the tile was 5D or simply hadn't had time to speak before Abigail corrected herself, and now says nothing, and doesn't give herself away with body language either. The game can continue, nobody knows Betty needs 5C, and she still has a chance to win.
Abigail discards 5D and says, "Five crak. No,..." Betty jumps in, "Maj!" just as Abigail corrects herself, "... five dot." In this scenario, Betty wins, and Abigail has to pay for everyone.
Abigail discards 5D and says, "Five crak. No, five dot!" Betty reacts, "Five crak is my maj tile!" Pandemonium ensues while the table erupts into a huge emotional argument over what should happen.
Scenarios 1 and 2 are both correct. Scenario 3 is a nightmare of disharmony. Betty was too late, and in my opinion she should not have said anything. But human nature got in the way. The game is ruined now that someone's maj tile is known to all. Abigail had erred, and a literal reading of the official rule (on page 17) says that Abigail should pay for everyone. But the official rule is worded loosely, and in my opinion, once Abigail corrected herself, Betty should have remained silent, so that there would be no pandemonious brouhaha.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 3, 2015
What does "Like" mean?
>From: Sara M. D
>Sent: Tuesday, June 2, 2015 2:51 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is: 2015 Card under “WINDS - DRAGONS” 3rd and 4th hand configuration. Is it legal to make a hand like NNNN SSSS 111 333 or 333 777?? Or does the configuration go NNNN SSSS 11joker & 11joker? All same suit, of course
>The same for the even - EEEE WWWW 222 444 or EEEE WWWW 444 666 or does it go 22joker and 22joker? All same suit, of course.
>Our group is in disagreement in interpreting these two hand configurations.
>Appreciate your thoughts.
>Thanks
Hello, Sara.
Welcome to my website. The question you have asked has been asked many times before. It's a "Frequently Asked Question" (an FAQ). I have written answers to all the most-frequently-asked questions, and you can link to them above left. In regards to your question:
Please read FAQ 19-AU. Then read FAQ 16.
Please bookmark FAQ 19 and FAQ 16 so you can easily return anytime you have a mah-jongg question.
Answers to all of the most frequently-asked questions about
American (NMJL)
mah-jongg are found in
FAQ 19, and questions about the yearly card are answered in FAQ 16.
Please always check the FAQs first, before asking me a question. Thanks!
Every player really should have a copy of
the official NMJL rulebook (or my book). For information about where to obtain mah-jongg books, see FAQ 3.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 3, 2015
Of tournaments and jokers
>From: Donna M via PayPal
>Sent: Tuesday, June 2, 2015 1:10 PM
>Subject: Reference: MJ@Sloperama Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers - Donation from Donna M
>PayPal
>Hello Thomas Sloper,
>This email confirms that you have received a donation of$10.00 USD from Donna M. You can view the transaction details online.
>Donation Details
>Total amount: $10.00 USD
>Currency: U.S. Dollars
>Reference: MJ@Sloperama
>Purpose: Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers
>Contributor: Donna M
>Message: Hi Tom, Although I made my yearly donation several months ago, I wanted to give something in honor of taking first place in a large local tournament this past Sunday. It was my biggest win and personal best score (500 points). I've been doing occasional tournaments for the last two years an am ecstatic! Even with this win, being a student of the game, I'd love to get more insights and strategies from you. I remember reading a post a while back about tournament play, but would welcome another one. Maybe this summer when you have some down-time. Happy the tiles were with me, Donna
>Sincerely,
>PayPal
>
>From: Donna
>Sent: Tuesday, June 2, 2015 1:29 PM
>Subject: Five Jokers May 30 Question
>Hi Tom,
>Although the person asked a erroneous question as there are no hands with five flowers, thought I would share this one:
>After being in a bit of a slump for a few weeks, I made the following hand (started with three jokers) by picking in my seventh joker. I had the single and pair tiles from the beginning and two 8 Bams. The player to my right was sitting with three 8 dots in her hand. Boy the tiles were with me.
>7C8C8C9C 8B8B8BJJ J J J J J
>How sweet it was!
>Best,
>Donna
Thanks for the donation, Donna. You wrote:
[I took] first place in a large local tournament this past Sunday. It was my biggest win and personal best score (500 points).
Congrats. That is a feat I have not achieved.
I'd love to get more insights and strategies from you. I remember reading a post a while back about tournament play, but would welcome another one.
Not sure what you're looking for. A BB post? A column? What about tournament play exactly? I don't think there's much of a difference between tournament strategy and home strategy, except in how points are awarded -- which might explain why I haven't won a tournament. You're the one who has taken first place at a tournament, so how about you give us some tips?
[Terre on May 30] asked a erroneous question as there are no hands with five flowers
I suppose I should have told her, "you could, if there were such a hand." Still not sure exactly what it is she really wanted to know.
Boy the tiles were with me.
>7C8C8C9C 8B8B8BJJ J J J J J
Nice.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 3, 2015
Column
>From: "martham
>Sent: Tuesday, June 2, 2015 7:57 AM
>Subject: column
>I just wanted to say how much I have learned & enjoyed your weekly updates. You have helped my game tremendously.
>Thanks,
>Martha
Good to hear, Martha.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Regular reader of your irregular column
>From: Gladys L
>Sent: Monday, June 1, 2015 9:03 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>As a new player I found your weekly columns immensely useful and am really sorry that you seem to have given up the weekly column and it is now every other week or even monthly.
>I've bought your book (very good) and Sandberg's book and even "Bubbe Fisher", but none of them have been as helpful as your weekly columns and WWYP.
>Do you think you may go back to once a week some time or has it just become too onerous after all this time?
>Sincerely yours and thanks.
>Glady
Hi, Glady.
From January to May, I had a hellish teaching/studying schedule, and last week I was just relaxing and decompressing. I have a less hellish summer teaching/studying schedule starting up next week, and I hope to maintain a regular column routine. Then there's the feedback I get about the column; I don't exactly get a duffel bag sized sack of emails every week, so It's hard for me to gauge how much impact the column is having. Just now I decided to go check the statistics. I find that there were 1,594 views of the column in April. That's a number for which I don't really have a gauge to know if it's a great number or not. I only occasionally hear from readers when I make an oopsie, or when I touch on a topic I haven't touched on before.
I still might have to go biweekly; we'll see if I can swing weekly through the summer.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
トム·スローパー
湯姆 斯洛珀
Creator of
the weekly Mah-Jongg column and
the Mah-Jongg FAQs -- donations appreciated.
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, California, USA
June 1, 2015
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There are some who would deny that the tile is racked at position B.
There are some who would deny that the tile is racked at position C.
