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| Mahjong game can only be traced back to the latter part of 1890 in the area of Ning Po (China). As the game spread through China different regions adopted the game, each with its own unique set of rules. Shortly after the First World War, an America resident in Shanghai, Joseph Babcock, published the game manual together with the suggestion of the British engineer named Walker to add Arabic numbers to the tiles/mahjong to distinguish each tile and make the game easier to play. Mahjong is a Chinese sport played with 144 tiles, small rectangular blocks of wood or ivory with a face showing a variety of characters and designs. There are 108 suit tiles (bamboo, circles, and characters), 28 honor titles (winds and dragons), along with 8 flower tiles. The game is well known under a large number of alternate names, including Mahjong, Man Chu, Mah Diao, Ma Chong, Mah Chong, Ma Chiao, Mo Tsiah, Ma Chiang, Ma Cheuk, Ma Jong, Pung Chow, Ching Chong, Kong Chow, Mah Deuck, Mah Cheuk, Ma Chiang, Pe Ling, Lung Chan, Mah Lowe, Baak Ling, and more.
The game “at least in computer versions”, is played in two principal ways: traditional and solitaire. The traditional game is played with four players, while the solitaire game is played by means of one, and consists completely of matching tiles from various layouts. In Chinatowns throughout the country, mah jong is played regularly and often associated with gambling and serious competition. For those who simply love games, mah jong can be played with the same enthusiasm and competitive spirit for “bones” or “chips” signifying points. It is with the “friendly play” viewpoint that these notes are offered. One warning, however: you may become hooked! You may begin to want to play all the time, and will spend your free time searching for different types of sets to collect. Beware!The game resembles playing card games like rummy. Many assert that playing cards are derived from the ancient tile game of mah jong. In the absence of the beautiful sets, often made of bone and bamboo,the game may also be played with special cards. The literal translation of “Mah Jong” is “flax/hemp” “sparrow clattering.” Those who play the game love the sound of the tiles as they are mixed together prior to the start of each hand. Listening carefully, players hear the sound of the flax blowing in the wind and the sparrows clattering. These notes should help the novice learn to play the game of mah jong. Ideally, four interested players should study the notes together, and find their way through a few hands. Before long, you will be playing with certainty and confidence, and enjoying this game of skill and luck. |