Mad About Mahjong

Blue mahjong tiles displayed in a white rack with the mahjong card

“Snap, Crackle, Pop” or “Crak, Bam, Dot”?

Are we talking about cereal or Mahjong?

Before we discuss the current hysteria surrounding the game, let’s learn a little history.

According to Time Magazine, Mahjong evolved “from its origins in China in the 1800s to its revived popularity among Jewish American women in the 1950s.” Annelise Heinz’s book, “Mahjong: A Chinese Game and the Making of Modern American Culture,” explores the game’s rich and poignant history. American Mahjong, created in 1937 by the National Mah-jongg League, features a more standardized and simplified version of Chinese Mahjong.

Since then, the game has continued to be played in America in various social circles, but it has enjoyed renewed interest in recent years.

What is American Mahjong (aka Mah-jongg)?

Mahjong is a tile game with 152 tiles featuring three suits of characters: Cracks, Bamboo (aka “Bam”), and Dots. The suits are accompanied by matching Dragons, Flowers, and Winds.

It’s like a sophisticated combination of dominoes and rummy.

The National Mah-jongg League publishes a new playing card each year with the winning tile combinations, which include various combinations of 14 tiles.

How Did I Start Playing Mahjong?

Earlier this year, Pensacola Mom Collective hosted an introductory class with Stephanie Brink (@themarvelousmrsmahjong). I attended on a whim, and that single session hooked me instantly.

Luckily, a dear friend joined me for this class. Her enthusiasm matched mine, and we both committed to learning the game together (thanks, Louise!). She promptly ordered sets for us, and we dove right in.

We started off slowly, playing every week or two. Through word of mouth, we connected with other friends who either played or were interested in learning. Then, Pizazz in Gulf Breeze offered a class with Southern Charm Mahjong, which really piqued my interest in the game.

Around the same time, Pensacola Mom Collective launched a monthly meet-up, and my friend introduced me to ilovemahj.com for desktop practice and the Mahjong Practice app for iOS devices.

Let’s just say, I’m addicted.

Why? The game involves a little skill and LOTS of luck.

The best part is socializing with friends while doing something to keep my mind sharp. I fight the brain fog that comes with menopause every step of the way, and the game introduced me to new people.

Two longtime friends invited me to a weekly game at a local social club, and through that game, I made new friends, including the one teaching every one else to play.

Majhong tiles being mixed up before play begins.It’s More Than Just a Game

Out of curiosity, I asked the instructor, Pam, how she had learned to play Mahjong. She explained that while growing up, her entire family- mom, siblings, nieces, and nephews- played.

Everyone except her. She was an athlete and could not see the value of sitting still long enough to play a game.

However, all of that changed when her mom entered hospice due to a terminal illness. Initially, she took her mom to her regular game with friends. When it became clear that her mom did not always feel like playing at the scheduled time but still wanted to play the game she loved, Pam had to learn Mahjong. She set the game up on her dining room table and never put it away.

Over the next six months, Pam’s mom taught her to play Mahjong, which was much more than a game. Her mom showed great patience in waiting for her to decide which line to pursue or which tiles to trade.

She learned that her regular Mahjong group wasn’t just a game meetup but a relationship builder. Her mom’s regular Mahjong group mourned the loss of husbands, showed up for each other’s funerals, and were present for one other.

Pam decided to share the game with the grace and patience of her mom. She explained to me that teaching others to play Mahjong helps her grieve her mom’s death. I have the honor of watching her share her love of the game and honor her mom’s memory on a regular basis.

It’s a beautiful tribute; I know her mom would be proud.

On a fun note, we all honor Pam’s mom, Sharon, when someone plays the #8 Bamboo tile (“8 BAM”)—her mom’s favorite. Pam and Sharon would toast whenever one of them played the 8 BAM, and we now do the same.

Are You Ready for Some Mahjong?

In Pensacola, local instructor Jamie Stacy offers lessons and workshops. I recently spoke to Jamie about how she went from playing Mahjong to teaching it. She explained that she’d played for about a year. Her friends in North Carolina were playing and introduced her to the game. Frustrated by not getting to play because few people in Pensacola knew how Jamie decided to become an instructor.

Jamie’s instructor, Molly Hardy, taught her how to play over Zoom and eventually came to Pensacola to “teach the teachers.” After training, Jamie set up an Instagram account and began offering lessons locally.

I did a quick Q&A with Jamie about Mahjong:

How many sets do you own?

“Six, because I’m a teacher and need variety.”

{She said that just the night before, she taught multiple tables and used a set for each.}

What is your favorite set?

“The Botanical Set from The Mahjong Line.”

What is your favorite section on the current card?

“2-4-6-8”

Where do you play online?

ilovemahj.com

Why do you encourage others to play?

“It’s fun. It’s also challenging but a great way to get together with friends and family.”

There you have it, from an amateur and a “professional.”

If you are interested in Mahjong, take the time to follow some pages, watch YouTube videos, or schedule a lesson.

Most importantly, have some fun!

White mahjong tiles displayed in a rack

Rocky Parra
Wife to Brett, mom to BethAnne, Peyton, Walker and Matthew, retired CPA, career volunteer, avid sports fan, and adorer of old Catholic Churches. Rocky passionately advocates for her son, Matthew, and autism acceptance. In 2015, she began writing about her family’s experience with autism on Facebook. In 2020, she published her first book, "Embracing Mrs. Mommy – Learning from, Living with and Loving Someone with Autism." Always in the back of my mind is Luke 12:48, “to whom much is given, much is expected… ” You can find her on Instagram as @mrs__mommy.

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