SLOPER ON MAH-JONGG

American Mah Jongg (2022 NMJL card). Various quandaries.

1. A pair of ones. It has low friends, suggesting possible Consec or low Odds. Or W-D #4/6. 8D and 9D can go, and either N or soap or 5D, depending on your preferences.

2. A pung of ones and a pair of fives. Definitely low Odds. 9B and N and 2D can go.

3. In general, "don't stop." But even Fleetwood Mac would agree that it's not "never stop." With these tiles, you are clearly lined up for S&P #4. It would be foolish not to stop. You can offer two across in the Courtesy (9B and 1C). That joker is going to have to be discarded later.

4. Eights are crazy plentiful. You would not be crazy to stop and offer 9D 2B in the Courtesy.

5. You've been working Consec, and now it's put up or shut up. Those sevens and eights lean towards #3. #1 doesn't have the necessary pairs. No dragons for #4 or #7. Consec #3 is the best bet; need to keep 6B and 9B, but 5B and 7B and the single craks are all passable.

6. Flowers, sevens, and nines. High Odds. 2B and 4C are obvious; time to let go of R as well.

7. Keep the crazy eights and dragons for Like Nos. Offer one (4C).

8. Got ones, fives, nines, and reds. No clear hand, but no reason to break up any sets. Still, the only one of those I can see exchanging for same-old gone-arounds is 4D.

9. Opponent is doing Consec #1 or #5. Look for 1D and 2D, their key tiles, see if either is dead on the table. If either is dead, you can discard 1D or 2D, but 3D and 6D are still hot.

10. Those sixes are the same suit as the dragons. The only hands that can use same-suit pungs of sixes and dragons are Consec #7 and 369 #4. 1B and 2B* and 3B are key tiles; if any is dead on the table, that tells you what your opponent needs or can't use. *

COMMENTS
Email . Hit me with your best shot!

Column 782

On Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 05:39:42 PM EST, olga b wrote:
Column#782 Dec.11,2022
Dear Mr.Sloper:
I am very new to the game, and it was a great discovery to find your books and the Sloperama, so informative and engaging.
I am confused about your column #782 from December 11, 2022.
In Number 10 I don’t see how you came up with key tiles- 1B, 2B and 3B.
I would say that key tiles are 4B, 5B and 3B.
I am sure you are very busy, but it would be great to have clarification.
Thank you.
Have a happy 2023!
Olga B
Sent from my iPad

You're quite right, Olga! I goofed. In fact, I also missed the flower pair in 369 #4. If you can see 7 flowers dead on the table, that too tells you what your opponent needs or can't use.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on Mah-Jongg East & West.
Author of the Sloper On Mah-Jongg column and the Mah-Jongg FAQs
Donations appreciated
Saturday, January 14, 2023
Rochester, New York, USA

Column 782, part 2

Re: Column#782 Dec.11,2022
On Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 09:09:50 AM EST, olga b wrote:
Thank you, Tom, for such a prompt reply. I also read, though post factum, that you like to insert mistakes on purpose. Very sneaky of you!:)
Best,
Olga B
Sent from my iPhone

囧 Heh. Just joking. I don't really make mistakes on purpose. But I've learned that I don't have to get mad at myself every time I flub, since it affords 2-way discussion opportunities. By all means, keep that sharp eye out for missteps and let me know again when I goof.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Sunday, January 15, 2023
Rochester, New York, USA

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