Get Social – with Mah Jongg

A 19th century Chinese version of gin rummy, played with colorful tiles, draws people of all ages together. 

Last February, when Rochester, N.Y. was blanketed in snow and the cold chased everyone indoors, Paul Rizzo, 65, decided to escape the winter blues at the warm and cozy Henrietta Senior Center. That’s where he dove into the world of Mah Jongg, and now he says it’s his new passion.

“I started playing Mah Jongg with my sister Sue and a group of 15 ladies on Mondays and Thursdays. At first, it was intimidating, but once I learned the tile symbols and read the card, it got easier. Now I’m hooked and even practice while watching TV.

“Playing with the Henrietta group has brought lots of laughs and new friendships,” Rizzo says. “It’s not just at senior centers. I joined a Mah Jongg game at a resort and was welcomed instantly, making my vacation more enjoyable. No other activity has made it so easy to meet people anywhere,” Rizzo says.

What is it? 

Mah Jongg is a tile game from China (translated it means “sparrow” for the clacking noise as tiles are played) that is popular worldwide with some 600 million players, especially among seniors. Americans use “Mah Jongg” for the U.S. style, while “Mahjong” is used globally. Like gin rummy, it’s a ‘draw and discard game” to create sets and runs.

The American version is played with four or five people, each getting 13 tiles. The goal is to build a winning hand based on combinations listed on the National Mah Jongg League Official Standard Hands and Rules Card, which is issued every year.  To win, a player calls or picks their 14^th tile. Strategy and attention are key, and the social aspect makes it even more enjoyable.

U.S Origins

Back in 1937, the National Mah Jongg League was established in New York City, marking a pivotal moment for American Mah Jongg enthusiasts. The League brought players together by creating a unified set of rules and an annual scorecard, transforming a once challenging game into a beloved pastime across the United States.

“The game has truly exploded over the past few years,” says Larry Unger, League President. “While this trend may have been accelerated by the pandemic as a way for people to connect online with family and friends, its growth continues today. People are increasingly realizing that Mah Jongg is simply a fantastic way to build community and have fun together,” Unger says.

A Family Affair

Joy Chimerine has been playing Mah Jongg for years and her journey has been a family affair. Her mother enjoyed playing, but she first learned while in college. Later, needing a fourth player for a regular game, she taught her daughter the ropes at just 10 years old! Today, her daughter, now 31, still plays with mom.

While Mah Jongg was once thought of as a pastime reserved for older Jewish women, Chimerine is quick to point out how the game’s appeal has widened in exciting ways. Today, Mah Jongg attracts players of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life—from students to retirees, men and women alike.

“It’s addictive. People who get into it can’t stop,” Chimerine says. “I’ve even seen Mah Jongg offered at after school programs and colleges.

“I would suggest anyone starting out with lessons take the card home and do a little studying while learning. The game has a lot of rules and patterns you have to follow. Those patterns change every year to keep it interesting.”

For Chimerine, the game has been life changing. “Socially, I would say because of Mah Jongg I’ve made the friends I have today. When I came to Florida, I didn’t know anyone. Now I not only play Mah Jongg with them, but we also go out to dinner and travel together. They have become my good friends. That’s what Mah Jongg does. It gives you a new network. It’s also wonderful for those who have lost their spouses and need the connection.”

Brain Power

There’s a cognitive benefit to seniors who play Mah Jongg, says Catherine Clinton, ND, Naturopathic Physician, and founder of the Quantum Biology Health Institute in Eugene, Oregon.

“Mahjong is a surprisingly beneficial activity for seniors because it synchronizes light, movement, rhythm, attention, and social connection– the very ingredients biology uses to stay coherent and vital as we age,” she says.

Joan Neale, 91, says Mah Jongg has kept her sharp. “It’s great for the mind. I say either use it or lose it! It also gives people a reason to get out of the house and not sit around in their jammies watching TV all day.”

Neale can’t remember exactly when she started playing Mahjong at the Harrison, NY Senior Citizens Center. “It was probably 15 to 20 years ago with my husband who, at that time, was the only guy. As many as 15 of us play Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, taking a break for lunch of Italian heroes or lemon chicken at the center, then we go back to playing,” she says.

Neale admits it can be difficult to learn at first, so she suggests finding someone patient to help. “We go with the flow; we were beginners once and at the back of the card are helpful hints,” she says.

While groups can play for money, you’re never going to lose big bucks. “If someone inadvertently gives me the winning tile, they have to pay me fifty cents,” says Neale with a chuckle.

Try It!

Rizzo offers words of encouragement to anyone feeling hesitant about picking up the game: “Yes, there are some fiercely competitive players out there, but most of us are simply excited to welcome newcomers. In fact, we’re always hoping for fresh faces at the table!”

Chimerine suggests that aspiring players check out local libraries or senior centers for Mah Jongg lessons or even by simply asking a friend to teach you the basics.  “There’s always a game going on somewhere,” she says.  The welcoming Mah Jongg community is always eager to help a beginner catch their first streak of luck!

 

Mah Jongg Cards can be obtained through the National Mah Jongg League website: https://www.nationalmahjonggleague.org/store.aspx#

 

YOUR TURN:

Where do you play Mah Jongg?  Was it hard to learn?  Share your experience in the comments!

 

Photo: Top, left to right – Sue Hale, Paul Rizzo, Yolanda Asford

Photo; Inset, clockwise from top: Joan Neale, Maryanne Basso, Maryann Albertell, Anna Gianetti

 

 

 

Jennifer Juergens Thomas has a lifelong interest in how people get together.  As a former AP reporter she covered feature stories and later wrote about conventions from Anaheim to New  Zealand as editor of Meetings and Conventions magazine. She was a public relations consultant for clients like the Society of Incentive and Travel Executives focusing on how and why people need to get together. An Orlando resident, she continues to contribute to Meetings Today magazine among other ventures.