by Linda l. Esterson, photography by Nikola Tzenov
At restaurants, senior centers, libraries and homes, people of all ages are gathering to play a centuries-old game.
Mahjong is an ancient game with Chinese roots dating back to the 1800s. The game was first introduced in the United States in 1920 and embraced around the same time throughout Europe, according to the National Mah Jongg League.
Often compared to rummy, mahjong uses colorful racks and painted tiles instead of playing cards, featuring suits called bams, cracks and dots. There are also winds, for north, south, east and west, as well as flowers and jokers. Up to four players play at once, aiming to be the first to match a hand on the game card.
“This is a game anybody can play, and it’s a fun environment here with people of all ages.” — Amy Linton
The National Mah Jongg League, which today has over 350,000 members, standardized American rules in the late 1930s and annually publishes and sells game cards that include the rules and hands. There’s also The Big Card, published by the Mahjong Line, and another by the Mahjong Press.
Siamese mahjong is a two-player variation that requires players to complete two hands simultaneously from the cards. The Chinese version, briefly showcased in the 2018 romantic comedy “Crazy Rich Asians,” is played without jokers, racks or cards.
Perfect for Game Lovers
Over a year ago, Theresa Saunders visited the North Carroll Senior Center for a card game. With an uneven number of players, she wasn’t able to join. She noticed a group of ladies playing with tiles and racks, and she sat down to observe.
“I grew up in a family of eight brothers and sisters, and we always played games,” she notes. “But I never heard of it before.”
Her curiosity piqued, she found a book on mahjong and watched online videos. The next week, she joined a game and was instantly hooked.
Hannah Srour, too, saw a video of someone playing mahjong online in March.
“I love board games, so I did more research,” says Srour, 34. “Luckily enough, the [Carroll County Public Library’s] Eldersburg branch had open play, and it was for any level player.” She now plays monthly and hopes to recruit friends to play.
Learning the Game
Nadine Rosendale, manager of the Eldersburg branch of the Carroll County Public Library, learned in 2000 with a group of work friends. They liked the game so much that they started a Mahjong 101 course at the library. With growing interest, there are now Mahjong 101 courses and Open Maj, designated times for people to come and play, at many library branches.
Over the years, they’ve welcomed players as young as teenagers through seniors. Rosendale has also partnered with Kismet Café in Eldersburg for lessons and open play.
“It does require patience… but it’s worth it to keep learning and keep playing because it’s fun,” she says. “When people want to learn, I’ll come to their house, invite them to Open Maj or set up a one-on-one lesson.”
Eldersburg resident Toni Giordano first played at the South Carroll Senior Center.
“I really enjoyed it because it’s not just about learning the game,” she says. “It’s because the game brings you a wonderful social outlet. I’ve met so many wonderful people through playing.”
After hearing from others who wanted to learn, Giordano started teaching a few times a year at the senior center. She presents a new card review each spring, plays at the senior center and hosts a weekly game at her home.
After many inquiries, Saunders, too, decided to help. Earlier this year, she started lessons and a game night at the Westminster Pizza Hut. Today, players ranging in ages from 40 to 70 fill up to four tables each Thursday.
Amy Linton, a Westminster real estate agent, joined in the craze after her daughter introduced her to the game about a year ago. She started playing at the Westminster branch library and discovered Saunders’ group on Facebook.
“This is a game anybody can play,” she says, “and it’s a fun environment here with people of all ages.”
Cardio for the Mind
According to the National Institutes of Health, neurological studies have shown that intellectual hobbies like mahjong can act as a brain workout, helping to slow cognitive deterioration and alleviate depressive symptoms in older adults.
“My mother is young and suffering from Alzheimer’s, and she’s only in her 70s. I’ve read a lot about mahjong being a great game… good for your memory,” says Michele Feuer, who joined the Pizza Hut group in February. “Plus, I always wanted to play.”
After hearing about the game in December and conducting research online, Sara Wells O’Malley found her social media feed full of mahjong posts.
She and her friends hired an instructor through Tides and Tiles out of Annapolis. After two lessons in February, they continue to play biweekly.
“In a world where we’ve got AI and Google, and anything can be done for us in two seconds, it’s just nice to use your brain,” says O’Malley, 32. “I think we love the game because the game is different every single time you play.”
Rosendale also credits the game’s cerebral benefits. “We’re all trying to get through the stress of life as we know it, and we’re forgetting things. As we try to look for things to help our brains, mahjong is a huge benefit to our brains because it gets you thinking in a different way.”
Spreading the ‘Mahjong Joy’
Mahjong also provides a social outlet. “Whether you’re playing with friends or family, or meeting new people, there’s fun and laughter,” Rosendale explains.
“Whether you’re playing with friends or family, or meeting new people, there’s fun and laughter. I call it spreading the mahjong joy.” — Nadine Rosendale
“I call it spreading the mahjong joy. We’re learning things. We’re using our brains; we’re socializing, and we’re having a good time. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose; we’re helping ourselves in these other aspects of life, mentally, emotionally, socially.”
Shelly Dubs, 40, played for the first time in late May. She was looking for a new challenge.
“It’s different, and I was tired of playing the same old thing,” says the Manchester resident. “I like to be part of a league or group. I used to bowl for 15 years, and it was time for something fun and new. This is very new, but also, it’s very old.”
Get Your Mahjong On
In addition to the local games, many players take the experience to the next level. They participate in single- and multi-day tournaments around the state, region and country, and even travel with friends to play on mahjong cruises.
Last year, Giordano went on a mahjong cruise for the first time through a company called Crak Your Bags. The ship featured a dedicated mahjong room with sets available for drop-in social play and tournaments on days at sea.
With the phenomenon in full bloom, vendors have taken advantage. A quick online search reveals a variety of clothing, tumblers and drinkware, as well as zippered pouches and a vast assortment of mahjong sets in all colors and designs. New players also opt for table mats with printed directions and hints.
Advice for Newbies
No matter where you play, experts agree that practice makes perfect. The best ways to learn are to attend lessons and observe others playing.
Playing online also helps. Online games — some of which are free — enable competition with friends and computer robots. A card and an internet connection are the only requirements.
Giordano relates a famous Louis Pasteur quote to mahjong. “‘Chance favors only the prepared mind,’” she says. “There is a lot of luck in mahjong. If you know the card, and you’re prepared, you know when that winning opportunity presents itself.”
Crack Yourself Up
Fun facts and useful links about mahjong. “Mahjong is the most widely used and accepted spelling and used for traditional Chinese and Asian variations.” says Atlanta Mahjong Studio. Mah Jongg or Mah-Jongg are used for the American version of the game governed by the National Mah Jongg League.
American Mahjong “The Big Card”
National Mah Jongg League
The MahJong Press
Finding Mahjong Near You
Bam Good Time
Carroll County Public Library
Travel and Tournaments
Crak Your Bags
Mah Jongg Fever
Sets, Accessories, Apparel and Jewelry
Amazon
Mah Jongg Maven
National Mah Jongg League
The Mahjong Line
Online Play
MahJong 4 Friends
MahJong4Friends.com (unlimited play)
My Jongg
MyJongg.net (four free games daily)
Real Mah Jongg
RealMahJongg.com (fee)
