Are you eager to dive into the world of Mahjong? You’ve come to the right place! Before we jump into the gameplay, let’s explore a bit of its intriguing history. The origins of Mahjong are somewhat murky, but research from Stanford University suggests it likely originated in Shanghai during the mid-to-late 1800s, a time when the Qing Dynasty was in power (1644-1912). Following its Shanghai roots, the game swiftly spread to Beijing and beyond. What began as a quintessentially Eastern pastime soon made its way around the world as Chinese immigrants settled in various regions, particularly Europe and America. By the 1920s, Mahjong had gained immense popularity in the U.S., rivaling classic card games like Hearts and Spades. For a glimpse into its cultural significance among modern Chinese Americans, check out the “Grand-Mahjong” episode from Fresh Off The Boat (season five, episode 13).
Now that you’re armed with some historical context, let’s get ready to play! Here’s everything you need to know.
Setting Up for Mahjong
Mahjong is played with tiles, which you can think of similarly to a deck of cards. The tiles are divided into three suits: Characters, Bamboos, and Circles, each containing 36 tiles numbered one through nine. In addition to these, there are 16 Wind tiles and 12 Dragon tiles. A set of dice is used to determine the dealer, and some Mahjong sets come with racks to hold players’ tiles—although seasoned players often forego them for speed.
Typically, Mahjong is played with four players, though three-player variations exist. To keep things straightforward, we’ll focus on the standard four-player format.
The Deal
In modern play, participants roll the dice, and the player with the highest roll becomes the dealer. While most games follow a clockwise direction, traditional Chinese play is influenced by cardinal directions, with East being the starting point for the dealer. Players then shuffle the tiles face down on the table and draw to create their individual “walls,” which should consist of 17 tiles in length and two tiles in height. Once everyone has their walls set up, the dealer distributes 13 tiles to each player starting from their left.
Understanding the Rules
Here’s where the racks become useful. Similar to Scrabble, you’ll want to keep your 13 tiles hidden from others. The dealer begins by discarding a tile. If you can use that tile to complete a “Mahjong,” you can claim it, announce “Mahjong,” and reveal your hand. More often than not, players will use the discarded tile to form a “pung” or “chow.” Winning involves matching suits or sets, just like in card games.
Ending the Game
There are two main outcomes in Mahjong: a player successfully forms a Mahjong hand of four sets and one pair, or the game ends in a draw when all tiles are played without a winner.
Cognitive Benefits of Mahjong
Playing Mahjong can significantly enhance cognitive skills. It aids in improving short-term and verbal memory, making it a useful tool for cognitive therapy, including for those with dementia. The game encourages strategic thinking and pattern recognition, helping players to develop sharper problem-solving abilities and better focus.
Variations of Mahjong
What we’ve covered is the most widely accepted version of the game. However, like many traditional games, rules can vary by region or family. Master the basics before branching out into different rule sets.
Life Lessons from Mahjong
Mahjong teaches valuable skills applicable in everyday life. It shows that regardless of your starting position, perseverance is key to improvement. It’s essential to stay focused on your own tiles and progress rather than being distracted by others. Learning to let go of unhelpful tiles can be crucial to winning, emphasizing the importance of moving forward without clinging to the unnecessary.
This article was originally published on January 29, 2021.
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In summary, Mahjong is not just a game but a rich cultural experience that enhances cognitive skills and teaches valuable life lessons. Whether you’re a novice or looking to refine your skills, understanding its rules and history can elevate your gameplay.
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