I’ll Leave You With This… Mahjong
Photo: Alana Sousa
Me and My New Best Friend, Mahj
I have officially turned into an octogenarian. This means: 1) I must have a tissue with me at all times because my nose runs constantly; 2) I bring an extra layer with me everywhere, just in case I get cold; and 3) I play Mahjongg as many times a week as physically possible. AND. I. LOVE. IT.
I’m officially obsessed with this game and everything about it. It’s fun, social, challenging, strategic, and you can consume cocktails while playing. What’s not to love?
Let me tell you how this all began. Many years ago, my mother (a truly skilled bridge player) encouraged me to learn how to play bridge. I was reluctant because none of my contemporaries were learning how, and I didn’t want to invest the mental capital in something I wouldn’t have anyone with whom to play.
However, I was interested in learning a game that I could “grow old with” and my body won’t let me play my beloved golf or pickleball, so I’ll always have a social outlet to gather with my girlfriends. Bonus points if that activity will help keep my mind sharp. Several years ago, some friends and I decided to sign up for a class to learn how to play Mahjong at our local library. We knew absolutely nothing about what we were getting into. I inherited my grandmother’s set from the 1930s, and it fascinates me. It’s in a long, faux crocodile briefcase with green, felt lining. The tiles are smooth; the edges worn with years of play and love for the game. Inside the case are these strange cards, almost a century old, that have rows and rows of combinations of numbers.
We took the class and learned a very rudimentary version of Chinese Mahjong (Note: this version is spelled with one “g”.) We were instantly hooked. We played any chance we could. It is fast-paced, social, and the best way to spend an afternoon or evening. We even travelled to a fancy inn one weekend and spent an entire day playing. We literally had meals served to our table so that nothing would interrupt our Mahj marathon. It was awesome.
But, like everything else during COVID, our beloved gatherings were put on hold, and we never really got back. But recently, I heard that some new friends were meeting every week to play. They were looking for more experienced players to help guide them. I showed up with my faux croc case ready to go. We sat down to deal the tiles and there it was: a card with rows and rows of combinations of numbers.
“What’s the deal with the card?” I asked. “What do you mean? How else are you supposed to play?” one of the women replied. I was totally flummoxed. I had never played with a card. I didn’t even understand its purpose.
Here’s the deal: there are TWO versions of Mahjongg. There’s the Chinese version and the American version. The Chinese version does not use a card; the pace of play is a bit quicker, and the randomness of the tiles allows for switching up your hand on the fly. In the American version, the goal is to create a specific hand that is listed on the card, hence the rows and rows of combinations of numbers. Each year, a new card is printed with new combinations of hands to keep the game fun and fresh and to help keep your skills sharp.
I was stumped. Having been taught the Chinese version, I had zero clue as to how to decipher the card. I left feeling deflated and vowed to do as much homework as possible before the next get-together. So there I was, on a Saturday night, scouring YouTube videos about American Mahjongg and how to read that damn card. (Further proof of my octogenarian-ness: home on a Saturday night watching YouTube videos.) The result? You gotta love that algorithm; my social media feed is now 100% Mahj madness, 100% of the time.
Like any other sport, there is more Magjongg schwag than you can shake your dice at. You want fancy tiles that cost over $700.00? How about a monogrammed bag to carry those tiles? Let’s not forget customized Mahj cards. Oooooooo, so pretty. And, before you ask, yes, I purchased adorable little pouches for each of my playing pals in which to protect our 2025 Mahj cards. Duh.
I’m proud to say that I’ve pretty much mastered how to read that card. I’m not perfect, but my game has come quite far. In the beginning, we were all so nervous about reading the card that no one dared talk while playing. We were all concentrating so hard. Now we can carry on several conversations, listen to music, and even enjoy cocktails while we play. We’ve come a long way, baby!
I’ll leave you with this…
Mathematically, I may be quite a distance from age 80. But I’m definitely embracing this new lifestyle. I’ve made new friends of all ages. I’m keeping my brain sharp with rapid gameplay. And I have a new shopping addiction for all things Mahj. ADD. TO. CART.
Yes, you can still find me out there playing with my first loves, golf and pickleball. I have not forsaken them. But truth be told? Give me a cocktail, a rockin’ playlist, a pack of tissues, an extra layer, and my Mahj tiles (with card!) and I’m in heaven.
