The Game of Mah Jong
Mah Jong is an ancient Chinese game dating from as far back as the Han Dynasty [202BC – 220AD], Mah Jong as we know it developed in the late eighteen hundreds, each region of China forming its own rules. Because the Chinese learned the game by watching play during childhood, there are no written instructions, nor recognised standardised rules. Joseph P Babcock who lived in Suzhou and worked as a representative for the Standard Oil Company was the first to painstakingly collect and interpret the many conflicting variations throughout China.
Mah Jong is a game for three or four players playing as individuals, at a table with a set of 144 tiles. During the game the players hold 13 tiles, in turn, players draw one tile at a time from a stack – called the wall – or pick up a discard, temporarily holding 14 tiles, then discards one tile. The objective of the game is to be the first player to obtain either a complete set of four defined groups of three or four tiles and one pair, or certain special hands. Because players play as individuals, and not partners as in in many card games, many find Mah Jong more attractive and less controversial.
We play on monday and thursday mornings from 1000 'till 1200 at the Snooker Club. Anyone who is interested to find out more or who has played in the past is very welcome to watch or join in. If you would like more information please contact the Group Leader