The Mah-Jongg Q & A Bulletin Board

That answers this question right there.

When a hand is declared dead, what does " the dead hand must be returene to the rack" mean? Does it mean to the Unexposed portion of the rack?
I think I got the "returned to the rack" wording from the rulebook. And I realize that wording is unclear, since the tiles are being returned from the upper surface of the rack to the sloping front of the rack. In my book I was careful to make this clear, and just now I corrected that wording in FAQ 19P. It now says "returned to the sloping front of the rack." Being a Sloper, I'm partial to the word "sloping," heh. (^_^)

You said if your answer below is unclear please you know. So I did.
Thank you for the care you took in the way you asked the question. Some people are lazy about the way they ask questions, which makes a lot more work for me. You did good.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 24, 2008

How does seat rotation work?

>From: jackie.
>Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 11:09 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>Hi, I'm sure the answer to the following ques is in one of your FAQ'a I
>just can't find it.
>I don't know if this is a rule or not. Please give me your thoughts on
>rotating in the following situation.
>When I am play NMJL rules with 4 people exactly how should East rotate
>throughout the game?
>Thank you for sharing all of you knowledge with us!!!

Hi Jackie,
People don't Ask me Questions about seat rotation Frequently, so it's not in the FAQs (thanks for checking). It's in your rulebook on page 23. It's in my book on pp. 55-56.

Here's how the NMJL says it's done:
"Original East" is called "Pivot." Play 2 rounds. (A round is when the deal moves all around the table.) Then just before pivot's turn, she switches seats with the player on the right, who then takes the deal. Every other time the deal comes back to Pivot, repeat the process (Pivot switches seats with player on right).

However, if you analyze this, you find that this scheme results in one player getting an extra deal. So I recommend instead the way that my group does it. When Pivot switches seats with the player on the right, the Pivot takes the dice (and the deal) with her.
And we don't switch every 2 rounds - we just rotate every round (every time the dice come back to the Pivot player). And we usually remember who's the Pivot, because she's usually the hostess.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 22, 2008

He's dead. Are his jokers dead? (Frequently Asked Question 19P), part 2

>From: emillers
>Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 10:09 AM
>Subject: Re: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>I apologize for this automatic reply to your email.
>To control spam, I now allow incoming messages only from senders I have approved beforehand.
>If you would like to be added to my list of approved senders, please fill out the short request form (see link below). Once I approve you, I will receive your original message in my inbox. You do not need to resend your message. I apologize for this one-time inconvenience.
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Lovely.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 22, 2008

He's dead. Are his jokers dead? (Frequently Asked Question 19P)

>From: Edward
>Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 9:42 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is: One of the players lays down four 8s, of which two are jokers. He later calls on another tile and declares Mah-jongg and lays down the rest of his tiles. On review of his declaration, we found it was not a legal mah-jongg. Are the jokers in the set of four 8s still in play, since they were layed down before the illegal mah-jongg declaration?
>emillers

Hi Edward,
You have asked Frequently Asked Question #19P. Please scroll up and find the links to the FAQs, above left. Click FAQ 19. Bookmark the page for your future reference. Scroll down and find your answer. If the wording of the answer is unclear, please let me know how I can improve the wording for future askers of this same question.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 22, 2008

How should we handle this situation that happened while picking a future tile on the cold wall? (Part 3)

>From: ILoveQmh
>Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 8:54 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>its the end of the game and we are on the cold wall the last player throws a tile and picks up last coldwall  tile ...the tile she picked up gave her maj jong can she call maj jong

Hello, Ilo.
Sorry, I can't help you.
Your group is not playing according to any official rulebook, and therefore I can't tell you how your rules work. Read Frequently Asked Questions 19R, 19Y, & 14. Please scroll up and find the links to the FAQs, above left.

I can only help explain how the rules are supposed to work. I can't help you when you make up your own rules, other than to suggest to you that playing by the official rules instead might be better. FAQ 9 explains my philosophy concerning the importance of "harmony" in mah-jongg. The official rules maximize harmony. Made-up rules like "cold wall" and "picking ahead" cause questions to arise - questions not covered by the official rules - thus increasing the likelihood of disharmony.

By the way, Ilo - I don't suppose you play with Joanne? Your question sounds exactly like hers (below)!

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 22, 2008

How should we handle this situation that happened while picking a future tile on the cold wall? (Part 2)

>From: Joanne
>Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 8:44 AM
>Subject: RE: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>Thanks so much.  I had the feeling that was going to be the answer.  This is how we were taught to play and so many people told me they don’t play that way.  I guess if we’re making up rules we’ll make up some more!

Yes, it's unfortunate that so many teachers teach table rules, without explaining (or even, sometimes, knowing) that they are table rules. I believe strongly that every table should have a rulebook at hand during every game. And when table rules are created, they have to be understood and agreed by all.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 22, 2008

How should we handle this situation that happened while picking a future tile on the cold wall?

>From: Joanne
>Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 7:21 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>I am playing Mah-jongg about a year and we came up with a situation that has never come up before. First I need to describe how we were taught to play because that is a part of the issue and I know there are many different versions. We start with 14 tiles and as our turn comes we throw first and then pick to end our turn. If during the play of the game, we pick our mah jongg, we have to wait until our next turn to call it. What happened now, is that on the last pick of the cold wall, someone got mah jongg. Since, if had been any other time in the game, she couldn’t do that, we had disagreement as to whether she could do it then. I can argue either side. My argument against it is that her turn is over once she picks. Also, if she could do that, anyone could do the same on that last round of the cold wall. The argument for her being able to do that was, what would the point of picking the last round be if you can’t call mah jongg. It would still be necessary to do the last round in case someone picked mah jongg on the 2nd to last round, but there would be no need to actually pick.
>I hope my question is clear as I felt as though I was rambling a bit!!
>Thanks so much for your help
>Joanne

Sorry, Joanne.
Your group is not playing according to any official rulebook, and therefore I can't tell you how this situation should be handled. Read Frequently Asked Questions 19R, 19Y, & 14. Please scroll up and find the links to the FAQs, above left.

I can only help explain how the rules are supposed to work. I can't help you when you make up your own rules, other than to suggest to you that playing by the official rules instead might be better. FAQ 9 explains my philosophy concerning the importance of "harmony" in mah-jongg. The official rules maximize harmony. Made-up rules like picking ahead and cold wall greatly increase the likelihood of disharmony.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 22, 2008

Does the bettor have to pay for the party too?

>Mah-Jongg Q + A
>hshanes
>Monday, July 21, 2008 8:09:37 PM
>My Mah-Jongg question:
>I read the rule about paying for the party. There is one part to that rule that is not clear to me. If the bettor bets on the person paying for the party does that mean she has to pay for everyone also or does it mean that the person that threw the Mah-Jongg also pays for the bettor and therefore the bettor doesn't have to pay at all.
>Thank you,
>hshanes

Hi there, Mr. or Ms. Hanes,
There is one part of your question that is not clear to me. You didn't mention where you read this rule, or what circumstances resulted in the bet-on player having to pay for the party.
Are you saying the bet-on player made a game-ending error by misnaming a discard wanted for maj by another player?
Well, I guess it doesn't really matter. The important thing is the bettor rule, which is clearly stated in your rulebook on pages 20-21.
...And also in FAQ 19W (above left).
The bettor is not one of the 4 players at the table. The bettor pays and receives exactly the same as the bet-on player, with one exception: when the bettor bets on a wall game.
When the misnamed discard rule says that the erring player pays the winner "and no other players need pay," that's speaking solely of the 4 players at the table. The bettor is like a duplicate of the bet-on player. The winner receives from both the bet-on and the bettor. As usual, though, that's just my opinion. You can always send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the NMJL and get their official answer.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 21, 2008

We play Mah Jongg for money.

>From: Jacqueline
>Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 3:01 PM
>Subject: Question
>We play Mah Jongg for money. Is there any rule that tells you what to do when a player runs out of money? We start with $4.00. One of the groups I play with says that if you run out of money and then collect money you have to pay the person back that you didn't have enough money to play in the first place. All my other groups just let you win back some of your money.
>Jackie

Hi Jackie, you asked:

Is there any rule that tells you what to do when a player runs out of money?
No. But if you check Frequently Asked Questions 14 & 19W, you'll find out what you need to know. Please scroll up and find the links to the FAQs, above left. Click FAQ 14. After you've read that, I recommend you print it. Then click FAQ 19. Bookmark the FAQ 19 page for your future reference. Scroll down to answer W.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 21, 2008

2-player rules (Frequently Asked Question #13)

>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>From: carolkirk1
>Date: Saturday, July 19, 2008 11:24:25 PM
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>Just bought a Kard set for mah jong and was wandering if you have 2 player rules or know of a web site that could help me.  Thanks.......

Hi Carol,
You can find the answer to your question, and many other often-asked questions, in the "Frequently Asked Questions" ("FAQs") here on this website. You have asked Frequently Asked Question #13. Please scroll up and find the links to the FAQs, above left. Click FAQ 13.
If the wording of the answer is unclear, please let me know how I can improve the wording for future askers of this same question.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 19, 2008

When? Where? How much? - part 2

From: Laurie
Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2008 6:46 AM
Subject: RE: Mah-Jongg Tile Identification
>Thanks Tom, for the quick response. Your answer is pretty much what we were thinking.
>Thanks also for your great web site! It’s the best for learning all those picky rules and your explanations are great.
>Laurie Breen

When? Where? How much?

>From: Laurie
>Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 9:51 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Tile Identification
>Dear Tom,
>I enjoy reading your column and exploring your web site. I have been teaching Mah-Jongg for over two years, and love both teaching and playing the game. One of my students brought me a game and wondered if I could find out any information about it – so, I’m asking the expert.
>
>Attached are photos of the tiles and the case they came in. I have tried to follow your outline to include all the information I have.
>
>The set contains 144 tiles enclosed in four boxes in a black vinyl case. (Photo #38) There are four dice, two plastic bags each holding 50 counting sticks (never opened). (Photo #39)
>
>There is a paper instruction book entitled DIRECTIONS of Playing “Chinese Game of Four Winds”. No author or date is in the booklet. (Photo #40)
>
>The tiles appear to be made of plastic with bamboo dovetailed backs and measure 1” H x 23/32” W x 17/32” D. Photo #42 & #43 have a little reflection on them because some of the tiles are still wrapped in the cellophane covering the small boxes. The set appears to have never been used.
>
>The set was purchased at a flea market three or four years ago.
>
>The Craks are the only suit which is numbered, and the White Dragons are blanks. There are no Jokers, but the flowers are beautiful, as are the Bam birds.
>
>We would appreciate any information you may be able to provide about the age of the set, where it may have originated, and its value.
>Thanks for your help,
>Laurie Breen
>865-458-4090

Hi Laurie,
Yes, the shrinkwrap hasn't been broken. I have some sets like that one in my collection too. You asked:

the age of the set,
Hard to tell. It was probably made after 1970, very likely after 1980. Definitely before 2009.

where it may have originated,
This type of set was made in either Japan or Korea, for export to the west (but without knowledge of what tiles the American game requires).

and its value.
It might sell at retail for around $50 or $60, but it might not fetch that much at auction on eBay - maybe $40. That's not a firm prediction. Your mileage may vary.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 18, 2008

Your July 13th column

>From: bgermain
>Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 7:52 PM
>Subject: July 13 Strategy column
>>I love your website, I have learned so much!
>> Question: July 13th strategy #3 says that the exposure suggests #3 of
>> 13579, but couldn't it also be #2 Consecutive Runs???

DOH!
You're quite right, Bger. I'll fix that right away.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 18, 2008

Announcing world premiere of a play about mahjong, part 2

>From: rcratkins at att.net
>Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 10:49 AM
>Subject: Re: "Mahjong" clarification
>Hi Tom,
>Sorry to bother you and I sincerely appreciate you putting such a large representation of our show up on the website. Mark Medoff wanted to clarify that he did not write the play, but that he is dramaturg/director. Please don't shoot me if I ask you to just clarify that in the wording. I'll write out the minor correction.
>Playwright Richard Atkins and Tony Award winning playwright Mark Medoff have teamed up, Atkins as playwright and Medoff as dramaturg/director to create a wonderful new serio-comic play entitled ‘The Men of Mahjong’ about four older buddies from Manhattan, who struggle with the pitfalls of old age only to discover the unlikely game of mahjong as the key to their unbridled happiness.
>Thanks so much Tom! If there's anything I can ever do for you, please let me know!
>Regards,
>Richard Atkins
>(505) 286-1683

Hi Richard,
Not sure if you've got me confused with Martin Rep's mahjongnews website. I just have this bulletin board here on my site. For the benefit of readers of this post, this correction is in regards to your July 14 post (below).
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 18, 2008

Our mah-jongg case handle needs repair.

>From: Judith Rubin
>To: mj@sloperama
>Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 11:36 AM
>Subject: Fw: case handle
>----- Forwarded Message ----
>From: Judith Rubin
>To: mj@slopperama
>Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 11:33:52 AM
>Subject: case handle
>I tried to write from your site but couldn't figure out how to send the message. My antique case's handle has disintegrated. Do you know if/where I can find a replacement vinyl or leather (black) handle? Could we rebuild the handle and if so, how? Thanks. Judi

Hi Judith,
Try "luggage repair" in the yellow pages. A lot of shoe repair places also do luggage repair.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, California, USA
July 16, 2008

My score should have been double

>From: MMGymTeach
>Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:04 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>From: Michele
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
> I won a hand the other night which was doubles and i picked my own tile. I realized during the next game (more towards the beginning of it) that the hand I won had also been jokerless. Nobody had said anything and I obviously didn't notice. My friend said I had already won enough money for that hand! Should they have paid me or is it too late once you start another game?

Hi Michele,
It's the winner's responsibility to announce how much she's won, and how much the others should pay her. If she errs by asking for less than she should rightly have won, many players won't correct her. (In fact, the international Mahjong Contest Rules make that a rule.) Some friendly groups freely share the knowledge as to how much a player won. But often there's a competitive (or miserly) player who objects if non-winners tell a winner that she should have asked for more.

Harmony is maximized if the winner doesn't err in the first place, but we're all human.

Once another game has begun (the Charleston has commenced), yes - it's too late to go back. Harmony is maintained if the erring winner, realizing the oversight, does NOT request further payment.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 16, 2008

Frequently Asked Question #7e: Mystery Tiles

>From: Gary Carroll
>Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 4:33 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
> Hello,
> We have just started to play Mah Jong and find we have 4 tiles with the letter "F" inscribed, and 4 tiles with the letter "C" inscribed. What are they for please?
> Regards
> Gary

Hi Gary,
You can find the answer to your question, and many other often-asked questions, in the "Frequently Asked Questions" ("FAQs"). You have asked the "Mystery Tiles" question - Frequently Asked Question #7e. Please scroll up and find the links to the FAQs, above left. Click FAQ 7e.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
The Ides of July, 2008

Tile materials not mentioned must be undesirable?

>From: dhen
>Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 11:13 PM
>Subject: lucite mah jong sets
>Hello Tom,
>I was curious, in your FAQ on different types of Mah Jong sets you didn't mention
>lucite or bakelite. Are these less desirable as sets?
>thanks, Pescadero10

Hello dhen,
The desirability of a set has no correlation whatsoever with whether or not its material is mentioned in my FAQs.
You're right that I didn't mention Lucite. Sure, there are sets that use Lucite as the material (or as one of the materials). I'm sure there are lots of materials (especially the numerous plastics) that I didn't mention. Guess I could add that to FAQ 7c3 (the discussion on plastics)...
And I most definitely do discuss Bakelite in the FAQs. Were you only looking at FAQ 7a? FAQ 7a isn't about material - FAQ 7c is about material. FAQ 7a is about "types" of sets (which kind of mahjong a set was made to play, and which market the set was made to be sold in).
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 15, 2008

Announcing world premiere of a play about mahjong

>From: rcratkins [at] att.net
>To: [deleted]
>Cc: [deleted]
>Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 8:49 AM
>Subject: "The Men of Mahjong" World Premiere Play!
>Hello Mahjong players:
>I wanted to call your attention to my new play "The Men of Mahjong". It is directed by Tony Award winning author Mark Medoff. ("Children of a Lesser God") and is coming to the Queens Theatre in the Park in December of this year and before that it will be playing in Scranton Pennsylvania in November. I know you are all Mahjong players and this would be perfect for you and your friends. I can promise you a great time in the theatre.
>The World Premiere opens in Scranton PA in November and then moves to New York in December. Here is the link to the show. Tell your friends! I'll enclose a press release for your perusal as well. Tickets are going fast. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to e-mail me or call.
>http://www.electrictheatre.org/2%20The%20Season/The%20Men%20of%20Mahjong.html
>http://www.queenstheatre.org/08TheatreSeries.htm
>http://www.queenstheatre.org/08mahjong.htm
>[long URL deleted]
>Regards,
>Richard Atkins
>(505) 286-1683
>(505) 681-8376
Attached: Press release for mahjong.pdf

Japanese score conversion

>From: Eric
>Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 7:51 AM
>Subject: Japanese Ranking System
>I noticed in certain games and shows, that the Japanese use a scoring method that looks similar to golf after a session. The numbers look like +33, or -5, or the like. I have scoured the net over and over for a source or method for how this scoring works, but all I've managed to find out was it had something to do with the number 30,000. Do you know what this scoring is, and how it works?
>Thanks in advance.

Hi Eric,
Oh! You're asking about the scoring. Here I thought you were going to ask about the Japanese ranking system... \(^_^)/
I'm surprised this information wasn't in Ryan Morris' description or in the European Mahjong Association's description...?
Japanese majan being a gambling game, there's a score conversion that has to happen after a game has ended. Each player starts with 25,000 points' worth of chips (sticks). The goal is to finish the game with more than 30,000 points to achieve the required point spread used by most players. At the end of the game...
Oh wait, I just realized I've already written all this. Here's what I wrote about this in the Help menu for Shanghai Second Dynasty (the computer game I designed and produced when I worked at Activision):

At the end of the game, players are ranked First, Second, Third, and Last. Also at the end of the game, the score (until now measured in thousands of points) is converted into smaller units. Mainly this is done so that if the players are gambling, they know how much to pay one another. Japanese players customarily see the endgame score displayed in one- or two-digit numbers.

Players start the game with a bank of 25,000 points. At the end of the game, players are ideally supposed to attain a goal or target of 30,000 points. Shanghai: Second Dynasty allows you to vary the opening stake anywhere from 25,000 up to 30,000 (in 1,000 point increments) -- this example assumes your opening stake is 25,000. The goal amount is always 30,000.

1. Players' final scores are compared with the goal of 30,000 and it is determined how far off the mark they are. For example, if a player winds up with 35,000, then he's 5,000 ahead; if a player winds up with 24,000, then he's minus 6,000.

2. The player with the highest score is awarded the difference between the start points and goal for each player around the table (20,000 is added to his score).

3. Each player's score is divided by 1,000. If a score is not evenly divisible by 1,000 then the score has to be rounded first. If the "fraction of 1,000" is 500 or more, round up. If 400 or less, round down. For example, if a player had end score of 35,000 and then was awarded 20,000, his final score is +25 (20,000 winnings added to the amount of points over 30,000).

4. Now the player's final scores are compared to determine who is the Top player, who is 2nd, who is 3rd, and who is Last.

5. If a point spread ("uma") is used, it is calculated here. Shanghai: Second Dynasty's default point spread is 0-0, so no score difference is the usual result. But let's say you choose to use a point spread of 5-10. Add ten points to the Top player's score. Add five points to the 2nd player's score. Subtract five points from the 3rd player's score. Subtract ten points from the Last player's score.

6. When players are gambling, then multiply the final score (after calculating the point spread, if you so choose) times the previously-agreed monetary unit (usually either ¥100 or ¥1,000) to arrive at the payment amount. In the following example, we assume ¥100 payment. NOTE that in Shanghai: Second Dynasty, we do not use the bottom row of this chart (it is included in order to provide a complete understanding of how the Japanese scoring works in the real world).

The entire Shanghai Second Dynasty help file used to be hosted at http://www.mahjongnews.com, but I don't know if it still is.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
Le 14 Juillet (Bastille Day), 2008

We need an "intermediate" variant now

>From: Lana
>Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2008 8:46 PM
>Subject: What't the next step to make Simplified Chinese mah-jong a little more difficult?
>Several of us are learning how to play simplified Chinese mah-jong and we would like to add a little zest to the game. What's the next step in adding some new, more difficult hands?
>At the present time we feel it would be a bit too much to try ALL of the more complicated hands.
>We've been trying to follow the rules of your book to the best of our abilities but it lists so many choices.
>Eloise

Hello Eloise,
There's "simplified" mah-jongg, which is basically mah-jongg without any scoring.
And there are about 40 variants of mah-jongg, all listed in FAQ 2b.
You can either choose one of those variants (see FAQ 2a for help with that) or make up your own additional features for the "simplified" game I described in FAQ 10. Read FAQ 14.
If Chinese Official mah-jongg (described in my book) is too much of a leap for you because of all the scoring patterns to learn, then maybe you'd want to go for Hong Kong Old Style rules or something. You can use FAQ 3 to look for HKOS books, or FAQ 4b to find a HKOS website describing your next step up along the mah-jongg journey.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 13, 2008

A "change of heart" question

>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>From: "Nanny1236
>Date: Sunday, July 13, 2008 2:32:54 PM
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>I have been playing for 4 years. A similar scenario has happened a couple times recently and we are not sure how it should be handled.
>A 2 Bam is discarded & I call it, lay it on my rack with 2 somethings from my hand. Then I declare this is not what I want to do so I put my 2 tiles back on my tray, return the "picked" tile to the table and draw a tile. If this is done prior to my discard (which officially ends my play) can I go on playing as if this didn't happen or do I have to accept the 3 tiles I laid out on my rack (and probably change my choice of hands)? Some of us think it has to stay on the rack and some of us think that we can change our mind since we haven't yet discarded a tile to end our turn. Look forward to your input.

Hi Nanny,
You have asked Frequently Asked Question #19AM. You can find the answer to this, and many other often-asked questions, in the Frequently Asked Questions ("FAQs"). Please scroll up and find the links to the FAQs, above left. Click FAQ 19. Bookmark the page for your future reference. Scroll down and find your answer (AM). If the wording of the answer is unclear, please let me know how I can improve the wording for future askers of this same question.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 13, 2008

What's the official table rule?

>From: Joyce
>Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 9:58 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>I know that atomic hands are a table rule but what kinds of hands would they be??
>I was told only pairs or three's and one pair.
>Are there others???
>Please settle our dispute. Thanks

Hi Joyce,
Do you know what an oxymoron is? It's a self-contradicting phrase - a phrase containing words that cancel each other out, like "deafening silence" or "bright blackness" or "wealthy poverty." You're asking me to tell you the "official" way the unofficial rule should be handled!
Your group has to figure this out for yourselves. Take a vote. Read FAQ 14.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 12, 2008

P.S. I have no idea why, but although you wrote your email on Thursday, I never received it until Saturday. Not my fault it took so long for you to get your answer!

Questions about my set

>From: janice
>Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2008 5:23 PM
>Subject: mah-jongg set
>I have recently acquired a mah-jongg set. From your site it appears to be an American set. The character, circle and bamboo tiles are complete with the 1 bam a type of cockatoo bird with a tail a bit like a crayfish. The winds are complete and the dragons with the white dragon being a square on the tiles and the green dragon drawn in black. There are two different sets of four flower tiles and four jokers - cat, rat, rooster and scorpion. There are four blank tiles and four dice with only the 1 in red. The tiles are cream and I was told it is bone but I'm not sure. There is a circle at each end of each tile. I think the tiles are painted not engraved.
>
>What do I need to make this a complete set? Counters etc?
>
>The container the set came in is round (like a hat box) with a lid - cream, the lining is black and possibly wood. It is approximately 25 centimetres in diameter. It is made of pieces (bone?) fitted together and I think it is engraved and coloured. The base has engraved - two stands, an oblong box with ribbons - all lying on two pieces of bamboo. Around the side of the container are birds, butterflies and roses or camelias and crysanthemums. The lid has a central panel (circle) with the figure Longlife with a giraffe staff and on one side of him a child with a peach on his head and on the other side a deer. Around the centre circle are engraved or finely drawn a dragon, a lion, a lyre bird and a tortoise. There are also clouds. The lion has a cloth on its back with something above it. The bird has a ribbon tied around scrolls in its beak. The tortoise has a box on its back. Around the outside of the lid the depictions are a piece of paper, a musical instrument, a gourd, two scrolls - all tied with flowing ribbon.
>
>Do the tiles belong in this container or do you think it was originally a container for something else? It is a very nice container and the person I acquired the set from believed it to be 70 years old.
>I welcome any comments regarding this interesting acquisition.
>Janice
>Perth
>Western Australia

Hi Janice, you wrote:

From your site it appears to be an American set. The character, circle and bamboo tiles are complete... The winds are complete and the dragons...
"Complete" isn't a number. How many tiles, in all, does the set contain? 148? Read FAQs 2b, 7a, & 7b.

There are two different sets of four flower tiles and four jokers - cat, rat, rooster and scorpion. There are four blank tiles... The tiles are cream and I was told it is bone ...
I know what I mean by "American set," and this isn't it. It sounds to me like you have a set that could date from the 1930s, but it was not made to play the "American" (National Mah Jongg League) ruleset. You couldn't send me pictures?

I was told it is bone but I'm not sure.
Then read FAQs 7c & 7c2.

There is a circle at each end of each tile.
Wha...? (You couldn't send me pictures?!)

I think the tiles are painted not engraved.
Painted or printed? You're saying that the tilefront designs are not inset into the tilefront at all? I've seen numerous printed sets...

The container the set came in
I call that the "case."

is round (like a hat box)
Bizarre...! You couldn't send a picture???

The lid has a central panel [description omitted] ... Do the tiles belong in this container or do you think it was originally a container for something else?
I have no idea if that case was originally made to contain that mah-jongg set or not.

the person I acquired the set from believed it to be 70 years old.
Possibly. I have no idea without seeing pictures. There were no paper materials included in the set?

What do I need to make this a complete set?
I don't know what you mean exactly. Complete for what purpose?

Counters etc?
I use the terms "chips" and "sticks." Read FAQ 7d.

I welcome any comments regarding this interesting acquisition.
Read FAQ 7p. The FAQs are above left.

Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 12, 2008

Looking for mahjong historians

>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q A
>From: Duke
>Date: Thursday, July 10, 2008 4:39:38 PM
>My mah-jongg question or comment is: I have been looking for other "historians" on mahjong and I am having troubles locating any other source other than yourself....have any suggestions?

Hi Duke,
The mahjong historians communicate with one another either via the rec.games.mahjong newsgroup (http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.mahjong/) or by private email. Why, are you a historian too? What kind of information are you looking to share or learn?
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 10, 2008

Where can I buy a table?

Subject: Mahjong Table question
From: Mark
Date: Thursday, July 10, 2008 11:58:22 AM
>Hi Tom,
>I came across your web site while trying to find somewhere to buy a mahjong table.  I have not had any success and I'm not sure what to do next.  I learned to play Modern Japanese Mahjong from my in-laws while stationed in Japan.  I would like to get a table designed for this type of play to go with my mahjong set, but have had no luck.  Would you have any idea where I could buy a foldable Mahjong table like the one below from your web site?  I am in Indiana and would probably have to buy on the internet or by telephone.  The seller would also have to be willing to ship to Indiana.
>I appreciate any help you can provide.

>--
>Thanks,
>Mark

Hi Mark,
Everything I know about where to buy mah-jongg stuff including tables is given in FAQs 7f, 7k, 4a, & 4b. Go back to the FAQs (above left) and good luck shopping.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 10, 2008

Misnamed discard resulting in an error (Wasn't this question asked and answered recently?)

>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>From: "Lfish
>Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2008 9:02:20 PM
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>One player threw out a tile and yelled 5 dot, another player called Mah Jongg and exposed her hand.
>It was then discovered that the tile thrown was in fact not a 5 dot but a 5 crack. The player who called Mah Jongg really didn't have Mah Jongg.
>What should we have done at that point? Do we pay the "winner"? Do we declare the "winner" dead and then continue?
>We ended up paying the "winner" but we were not sure if we should have.
>Thank you!

Hi L, or should I call you Fish (^_^), you wrote:

What should we have done at that point?
This is the fourth time in 2 months that I've been asked this question. I guess that makes it a Frequently Asked Question (so I'll have to add it to FAQ 19).

But you can get your answer if you scroll down and see the answer I gave Galia on June 25.

You should probably also scroll farther down and see the responses I gave to Bernice Vitcov on June 11, and to weeziejen (Louise) on May 16. Now I'm going to start adding this to FAQ 19 (it'll be FAQ 19AY).

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 9, 2008

Is this a fake?

>From: AnnaLDS4ever
>Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 12:54 PM
>Subject: Old Hillson's Chinese Game wood MA CHEUCK Mahjong Item number: 270252558488
>Tom,
>Please advise me before I potentially waste money. I bid on a supposed Hillson set, having read a description of old sets with paper tops, but I saw another listing, same box and title/origin, and the tiles looked entirely different. Is the set below fake? The first below is the one in the other set that someone else bought. The second is the tile in the set I'm bidding on. Another picture of a tray of the set further down along with auction description.
>Thanks a bunch,
>Anna
>
>This is for an old game. It is Hillson's Chinese Game known in China as MA CHEUCK. It is by the Hillson Co, Boston.
>This game has been played in China since the days of Confucius. It is supposed to have originated in Canton or Ningpo.
>The game looks complete with 144 wood pieces, dice, and other items including the instructions.

Hi Anna,
I don't know why anybody would fake one of those old cheap Hillson's sets. The more likely explanations for the two sets looking different are:

Hillson made different types of sets...
...or a seller was confused (either one of them) as to exactly what s/he was selling. Lots of mahjong sellers on eBay have no idea what they're selling.

Of course, if the seller is in China, then yeah, I can see your concern - Chinese sellers sell a lot of fake artificially-aged "Qing Dynasty" sets on eBay. But I did buy a genuine one once, from a Chinese seller on eBay...

BTW, in case you didn't know, the blurb you copied from that eBay sale:

This game has been played in China since the days of Confucius.

That, of course, is an ignorant lie, as I wrote in FAQ 11. So if the seller lies about one thing...

May the satisfaction be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 8, 2008

---

Where can I buy mah-jongg stuff?

>From: Mio Schachinger
>Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 12:53 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is: Where can I find vinyl Mah Jongg Adjustable snap table cloths, for tables measuring 36x36, and preferably a cream quilted table cloth, if not cream any other color will do. I need 36 to 40 table cloths.
>Your help will be deeply appreciated
>Thank you …. Mio
>Email ---- Mio中poloclub.net

Hi Mio,
Check the vendors in Frequently Asked Question #4a. Please scroll up and find the links to the FAQs, above left. Click FAQ 4a. I'm also posting this in the Accessories Wanted bulletin board - maybe a vendor will contact you.
May the tablecloth be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 8, 2008

---

What's a "supplement tile"?

>From: DWIGHT
>Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 8:46 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>Dear Tom:
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>
>What is a supplement tile? I looked it up on Mahjong Wiki and still do not understand. Here is their definition:
>"Replacement tile: A tile drawn from the dead wall to replace a flower or kong. Also known as a supplement tile."
>
>I was playing Four Winds Mah Jong.2.0, Chinese Official rules and an opponent went "Out on a supplement tile" for 8pts. I looked it up in "The Mah Jong" by D. B. Pritchard, and did not find such a move.
>
>The final hand was, exposed: 6C-7C-8C 1D-2D-3D W-W-W-W, concealed: 4C-5C-6C* 5B-5B, bonus 1F 1S. The scoring was 1 Melded Kong, 2 Kong of Dragons, 1 Flower, 1 Season, 8 Out on a supplement tile. 13 total score. (* last drawn tile.)
>Many thanks,
>Dwight

Hi Dwight, you wrote:

I looked it up on Mahjong Wiki and still do not understand. Here is their definition:
>"Replacement tile: A tile drawn from the dead wall to replace a flower or kong. Also known as a supplement tile."
I would have explained it exactly the same way. What's the problem with this explanation? In the glossary of my book, "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," I wrote something pretty similar:

• Flower Replacement - Chinese Official game. Flowers are not used in the hand, but instead are used to earn additional points upon winning. Flowers are usually melded immediately, necessitating the drawing of a replacement tile from the back end of the wall. Chinese term: "bu hua."
• Kong Replacement - Chinese Official game. The usual hand consists of four sets and a pair, and the usual tile count of a hand is fourteen tiles. When one of the sets is four of a kind, that equation goes out the window. So the player must take a replacement tile from the back end of the wall whenever making a kong.

I looked it up in "The Mah Jong" by D. B. Pritchard, and did not find such a move.
You must mean "The New Mah Jong: The International Game." He discussed this on page 35.

As I illustrated in FAQ 6, every author uses his own terms for mah-jongg-related actions, plays, tiles, etc. There is no universal terminology, which is why I wrote FAQ 6. I hope you have your answer now, Dwight.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 8, 2008

---

My set has no indices

>From: First Namesharee
>Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2008 3:33 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is: I have spent hrs learning what I can from your site, my question is my tiles do not have written numbers on them, such as i,2 ect in the corners? I have determined the designs are all hand done as each tile is a little different there are slight differences, I have deter the bottom of the tiles are bamboo, my quest is please where do I view older sets and knowing my set is hand done is there a way to determine when and where, i want to view sets with no american #'s on them. thank you so much, I will continue to study thanks sharee

Hi Sharee, you asked:

where do I view older sets... i want to view sets with no american #'s on them
Check out Frequently Asked Question #4a. Please scroll up and find the links to the FAQs, above left. Click FAQ 4a. Check out the first 3 sites listed under "Other Excellent Mah-Jongg Sites," near the bottom of the FAQ. You haven't said why you want to view that sort of set...

knowing my set is hand done is there a way to determine when and where
Read FAQ 7g. Give me enough information and I can help.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 5, 2008

---

American mah-jongg software, part 2

>From: carol
>Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2008 8:18 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>Hi Tom,
>I sure wish you would make another American mah-jongg program. You are right I am having difficulty finding one.
>On your web site you talk about different types of Mah Jongg played in different countries. Which is most like the National Mah Jongg League? Which would you suggest that I try to learn to improve my skills?
>I have your book "The Red Dragon & The West Wind." I would suggest everyone buy it for personal reference and enjoyment.
>Thanks,
>Carol

Hi Carol,
I'm glad you enjoy my book! (^_^) You asked:

You are right I am having difficulty finding [an American mah-jongg program.]
The ones that are listed in FAQ 5 are all there is. Neither of them is playable offline (solo vs. AI opponents).

Which is most like the National Mah Jongg League?
Absolutely no variant is remotely like American mah-jongg. American mah-jongg is the oddball, the black sheep if you will, of the mah-jongg world.

Which would you suggest that I try to learn to improve my skills?
It doesn't matter. Whichever one you like. Maybe FAQ 2a will help you pick one. (That's what FAQ 2a is for - helping people choose a variant.) Since you have my book, you could go with the official Chinese rules. Maybe start with FAQ 10, play "generic Asian" rules without scoring, just to ease yourself into it.

Tile-matching games are also useful. Seriously! See FAQ 12.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 5, 2008

---

American mah-jongg software

>From: carol
>Sent: Friday, July 04, 2008 7:45 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>I play Mah Jongg using the National Mah Jongg League card for 2008.
>I own the 4 Winds Mah Jongg computer game. The game will not let me input the hands from the National Mah Jongg League card for 2008.
>Which type or rule variation is closest to the National Mah Jongg League rules? I want to use the program to improving my playing at home.
>Thanks,
>Carol

Hi Carol,
You've asked Frequently Asked Question #5. Please scroll up and find the links to the FAQs, above left. Click FAQ 5. Your software options are severely limited - and it's not my fault! I made an American mah-jongg program 9 years ago, but it's been discontinued by its publisher, Activision, and now it's extremely difficult to find copies.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
The Fourth of July,

---

Frequently Asked Question #19AB

>From: Judi
>Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 7:14 PM
>Subject: mah jongg question
>Hi Tom,
>A lady called me with a question regarding a death challenge. She was called dead by someone at her table. She was not dead. The challenger also happened to throw her mah jongg tile to her. How much does the challenger have to pay. It was a 25 cent hand. I know the rule, I have your book and looked up the rule #104b on page 64. But does the lady have to pay the lowest-scoring hand on the card, which is 25 cents plus 50 cents for throwing the tile?
>Let me know what your thoughts are.
>Judi

Hi Judi,
Let's review what you said happened.

She was called dead by someone at her table. She was not dead.
For this we invoke rule #104b on page 64 of my book (FAQ 19AB here on this site, also stated in the NMJL yearly bulletins of 2001 and 2005).

The challenger also happened to throw her mah jongg tile to her.
For this we invoke rule #72a on page 55 of my book (FAQ 19W here on this site, also stated in the very first sentence on the back of the NMJL card).

Get it? Erring challenger has to pay for the erroneous death challenge. Discarder has to pay for discarding the winning tile. In this case, challenger and discarder happen to be the same person. It's very simple math. She has to pay for both the erroneous challenge and the discard.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 3, 2008

---

I don't know anything about mah jongg except a friend recommended it.

[Posted on The Find Players Bulletin Board:]

From: Connie Davis
Email: mcmjsk溌cox.net
Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 5:41 PM
Subject: Find Players/Teachers
Location (city and zip code): Omaha NE 68154
My kind of mah jongg is: I don't know anything about mah jongg except a friend recommended it.  Sounds interesting.

Hi Connie,
That's cool that you want to learn about mah-jongg. Problem is, now that you've told everyone that you don't know anything about it, the likelihood of finding a patient willing teacher is reduced. You can easily learn about the game right here on this website by reading some of the Frequently Asked Questions ("FAQs"). Please scroll up and find the links to the FAQs, above left. I assume your friend plays American-style mah-jongg. Check FAQs 1 & 2b for starters (and to figure out if your friend plays American-style).

You can find websites in FAQ 4b, and books in FAQ 3. You need to learn as much about the game as you can, to make it easier for someone to teach you. The proactive approach is best, and gives you a better chance of learning more quickly. After you've started checking out the information, you can ask me questions and I answer them right here on this board.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
July 3, 2008

---

Do I need to apologize for calling her dead?

>From: Juliegb
>Sent: Monday, June 30, 2008 8:17 PM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is: I think I insulted a friend tonight because I called her dead - was I
>wrong? The player had 4 flowers and 4 9 dots showing - then called an 8 dot and put up 4 8 dots but 3 sopes had already been discarded and I knew her hand called for 2 sopes. Do I need to apologize - what exactly is the rule for calling someone dead?
>Julie.

Hi Julie, you wrote:

I think I insulted a friend tonight because I called her dead
It's not an insult to be called dead in American mah-jongg. If somebody ever calls you dead, don't get mad - just agree or deny.

was I wrong? The player had 4 flowers and 4 9 dots showing - then called an 8 dot and put up 4 8 dots but 3 sopes had already been discarded and I knew her hand called for 2 sopes.
You mean she was working on Consec. #3? She was definitely dead, then.

Do I need to apologize
Of course not. What's your friend's problem? Has she never read the rulebook?

what exactly is the rule for calling someone dead?
You can find the answer to this, and many other often-asked questions, in the Frequently Asked Questions ("FAQs"). You have asked Frequently Asked Question #19AA. Please scroll up and find the links to the FAQs, above left. Click FAQ 19. Bookmark the page for your future reference. Scroll down and find your answer (read not only FAQ 19AA but also 19AB & 19AC). If the wording of an answer is unclear, please let me know how I can improve the wording for future askers of this same question.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 30, 2008

---

Frequently Asked Question #9

>From: Rachel
>Sent: Monday, June 30, 2008 11:22 AM
>Subject: Mah jongg Q & A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>Are there mah jongg rules of etiquette? We have a player in our group who is a very good player. However, she spends a lot of time trying to figure out what everyone is going for. When she figures it out she lets everyone know. She then announces ‘don’t throw 4 bams or don’t throw red dragons’. Is that legal or just rude?
>Rachel

Hi Rachel, you wrote:

Are there mah jongg rules of etiquette?
The official NMJL rulebook does not contain any "rules" regarding etiquette, but I discuss etiquette extensively in my book and in FAQ 9 (above left).

She then announces ‘don’t throw 4 bams or don’t throw red dragons’. Is that legal or just rude?
I wrote about this exact problem in my weekly column - specifically, it was column #350, January 27. Click the purple banner atop this page to go to the columns section. Use the scroll bar to go back in time through old columns and click column 350. Situation #3 covers exactly the scenario you've raised today.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 30, 2008

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It's not a dreidel

>From: Pwee Keng Ho
>Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2008 5:39 PM
>Subject: Put and take spinners
>Dear Tom,
>I recently referenced a page from your most comprehensive webpages about Mahjong, the one on mahjong bits:
>http://www.sloperama.com/mjfaq/bits.htm
>At the bottom, you have a delightful section on dreidels and I found it a fascinating point that dreidels could be found in mahjong sets because their owners stored them there.
>There was also a mislabelled picture of a put-and-take spinner, which I think is erroneously called a dreidel. I know on e-bay, the word dreidel is sometimes used in the description of these items, but that's just so that the posting can be more easily found. Thought you'd like to know.
>Regards,
>Keng Ho

Hi Keng Ho,
Nice to hear from you. OK, I'll change that caption at the bottom of FAQ 7d and refer to the image as a "put and take spinner, essentially a type of dreidel."
Here's hoping someday that troll will abandon the newsgroup and we can resume our use of it for fighting about the origins of HKOS, as it was originally intended! (^_^)
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 29, 2008

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Here's a picture of the Eight Immortals

>From: Anna
>Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2008 10:04 AM
>Subject: The Eight Immortals
>Tom,
>FAQ 7E Mystery Tile, near the bottom: Cyn asked you about what she called opera characters on her flower tiles. You said they might be the eight immortals. Here is a picture of them below so she can do a comparison. Hope this is useful.
>Anna.
>[Copyrighted image omitted]

From: Anna
Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2008 10:25 AM
Subject: Message from Anna Streleck
> Anna [last name omitted] ([email address omitted]) would like to share the following information about a Eight Immortals International Chess Set from Yellow Mountain Imports (http://ymimports.com):
> Here is the place I found the 8 immortals on a chess set. It tells a bit about them and offers a larger picture of some of the characters.
> Click below to access the product page:
> http://www.ymimports.com/Items/MQ-CH001-B?sck=837231

Hi Anna,
Thanks, but I don't know if the image's owner wants me to show it on my site - and even if I do, that constitutes a free advertisement. I figure if anybody wants to look up something, Google is real easy to use. I appreciate the thought, though!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 29, 2008

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Need Charleston strategy help

>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>From: Cynthia
>Date: Saturday, June 28, 2008 12:41:18 PM
>My mah-jongg question or comment is: I have been playing, using the NMJL Card, about once a week for about a year. Here is my question and frustration. I play with three others and get so extremely frustrated trying to sort out my hand before and after the Charleston, to know which hand to try for. Do you have any suggestions? I have looked through your FAQ's and found them helpful. I still feel like the lady “with a jumble of disassociated tiles and an inscrutable card”. I don't want to make the others wait but get nervous which makes me even more nervous and my mind freezes up, so I just try to do "something", even though it doesn't make sense. Sometimes it's easier than other times. I guess I am not "very good on my feet".. I enjoy the game but get frustrated with my indecision at the beginning. I often try to work on two possible hands, which I find even more frustrating. Help!! : )> Second Question: Do you know of a way for me to practice on deciding the hands, by myself? I have a travel set of MJ and the Kards. Thanks very much.

Hi Cynthia,
I take it you've read my response to "vze3cq4g" on Saturday, May 10 (below), who took exception to my book's advice to folks in your position.
But have you also read FAQ 8? Have you looked at my weekly strategy column? Click links above to explore the other resources here on my site.
As for practice, you can just deal yourself random 13- and 14-card hands and see what you'd do with those...
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 28, 2008

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She cheats! Suggestions?

>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>From: Lois
>Date: June 27, 2008
>My mah-jongg question or comment is: After 10 years I have just been told that one of the women in our regular mah jong game cheats! I was shocked! Two women in another game with her chose to leave...I have never seen her palm a tile, but that is what these ladies are saying...they both saw her doing it...anyway, what is one to do? Just leave the game? Try to catch her in the act? By the way, she is the big big winner and I have often come home frustrated as I usually win a little or break even in other games...Suggestions? Thanks.

Hi Lois, you asked:

what is one to do? Just leave the game? Try to catch her in the act?
Strikes me this is a decision you have to make for yourself, Lois.

Personally, I don't like to play with someone who's been confirmed to be a cheater. If I haven't been convinced that she's a cheater, then I just keep my eyes open.

Question for you: does your group roll dice to determine where to break the wall when dealing? If not, why not just go ahead and start playing by the rules? That particular rule was created for the specific purpose of preventing cheating.

You can also read my column #325, in which I describe what I know about how a competitor in the European Championship last year cheated.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 27, 2008

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Some untoward scenarios

>Subject: Question about MJ
>From: Galia
>Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 9:24:41 PM
>Dear Tom,
>Player A discards a tile and player B calls this tile for MJ. Alas, as soon as player B says 'MJ,' we all notice that the discarded tile is NOT what player A has just announced. Player A made a mistake and now player B cannot have MJ, yet – everybody knows what player B needs for MJ. What’s next?
>A less serious scenario... but still upsetting. Player B calls this tile for an exposure and can't have it because player A made a mistake. This also puts player B at a disadvantage...
>Is just an apology enough in these situations?
>Thank you in advance,
>Galia54

Hi Galia, you asked:

Player A discards a tile and player B calls this tile for MJ. Alas, as soon as player B says 'MJ,' we all notice that the discarded tile is NOT what player A has just announced.
So of course then you opened your official NMJL rulebook, "Mah Jongg Made Easy," to page 17 and found rule 6 which tells you what to do. (Or you looked in my book, "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," at rule 95c, under "Errors and Penalties," on page 61.)

No, huh?

Player A made a mistake and now player B cannot have MJ
Player A isn't the only person who made a mistake! Player B never bothered to actually look at the tile before leaping. And neither did player C... or player D. Sounds to me like 4 people erred.

What’s next?
Player A pays player B 4 times the value of the hand. Nobody else pays anybody. Throw the tiles in and play the next hand. (Just like it says in the rulebook. Every table should have a copy.)

Player B calls this tile for an exposure and can't have it because player A made a mistake.
Again - at least 2 people have erred. But this case is indeed different from your first scenario. THIS one is covered in rule 6 page 17 of the official rulebook, and rule 95b page 61 of my book.

Is just an apology enough in these situations?
In the former situation, no. The misnamer must pay player B. In the latter situation, yes. No penalty applies. (Just like it says in the rulebook. Every table should have a copy.)

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper  /  トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀 时同梦   /   탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 25, 2008
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.

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At my wits' end trying to find a service tech for my parents' automatic Mahjong table

>Automatic Mahjong table
>Ben
>Wednesday, June 25, 2008 1:11:00 PM
>Hi,
>Am at my wits end trying to find a service tech for my parents
>automatic Mahjong table they purchased from a San Francisco
>dealer, who no longer answers their phone.
>This table cost some where around $2.4K on sale and has lasted
>about 3-4 years before it stopped working. The selling company
>did service it once, but they seem to be out of this business.
>It seems that there are only a few manufacturers of these machine
>guts, so hopefully, a common or small set of technologies to deal
>with.
>Searching the web has your site come up often and wonder if
>you know of any companies who either knows where I might
>find a service tech, or has some advice helping me find service.
>Please respond via email.
>Thanks,
>-Ben Toy
>http://www.sloperama.com/majexchange/bulletinbd.htm

Hi Ben,
Everything I know about automatic dealing machines is in FAQ 7f (above left). I know a service tech here in L.A. but not in S.F. You might check in Japantown or the Japanese yellow pages (if you have such a thing in S.F. like we do in L.A.) but no guarantees. Maintenance information for those machines can be gotten on the Internet, if you can handle Japanese. One possible helpful tool for that would be www.eigo-navi.com (which lets you interactively navigate Japanese websites, not only translate them). Good luck!
Tom Sloper  /  トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀 时同梦   /   탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 25, 2008
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West. Available at bookstores, BN.com, and Amazon.com.

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Please evaluate my set

>Subject: Picture from Microsoft Digital Image
>From: catherine
>Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 1:14:32 PM
>Download All | majong 005.jpg (675KB); majong 012.jpg (593KB); majong 013.jpg (575KB); majong 018.jpg (644KB); majong 019.jpg (684KB); majong 020.jpg (1069KB); majong 021.jpg (625KB); majong 022.jpg (649KB); majong 023.jpg (663KB); majong 024.jpg (637KB)
>Can you evaluate my set.I have looked at the Q&A board and all of the
>FAQs.You did show me that my set is bone & bamboo not ivory. O
>well.Still I can't find one that has the same seasons and flowers.
>as forth facts on the one I have are as follows.
>It has 148 tiles,36 each of bamboo,36 dots,36 characters
>4 red, 4 green, and 4 white dragons
>4 blank tiles
>4 each S,E,W,N
>40 one dot red
>16 five dot red
>40 ten dot black
>39 two black dot sticks
>round wind box and 4 wind disks
>small wooden box with sliding top ( no dice in box)
>2 small dice
>2 lager dice
>1 larger die
>1 green rack
>3 black racks
>2 chip holders
>what looks like maybe a pusher with doubling scores on both sides
>6 round solid chips or disks
>54 chips 9 black,20 white,11 green ,14 red
>rosewood box with brass accents,5 drawers sliding front, good condition
>Babcock rule book has some water damage second edition
>also cards,doubling scores.I hope the pics come through I'm not very
>good yet at this.Thank You in advance.

Hi Catherine, you asked:

Can you evaluate my set.
I'm stifling my natural impulse to simply answer "yes." (~_^) I read this question as meaning nothing more than "what is it worth."

It's missing the original tiny dice and one of the scoring sticks. There are numerous pieces that the original owner seems to have purchased separately and included in the set (the racks, the score sheets, the chip holders). Since you say there's a Babcock rulebook, I assume it's a Babcock set. By the looks of it, the only thing remarkable about the carving is that the bams are the sort with flared ends rather than squared ends. That's not unusual, mind you - just distinguishing. Otherwise the carving is pretty ordinary. You didn't say anything about the condition of the tiles and how marked the Haversian system is. The box is only in "good" condition, and the rulebook has damage, you say (you didn't show it in any of your photos). So the set has bad things and good things about it. With the extra pieces added by the original owner, its value I estimate at around $90-100, give or take.

I can't find one that has the same seasons and flowers.
And your point is...? It would be very hard to find two Babcock sets that have identical flower tiles.

Tom Sloper  /  トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀 时同梦   /   탐 슬로퍼
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 24, 2008

---

Missing a tile

>From: Seema
>Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 5:56 AM
>Subject: replacing a tile
>Tom,
>I am depressed. I loaned my set out to a friend and it came back missing a 2 crack. I was merely trying to do an act of kindness and now I feel like my set is ruined. Do I need to feel compelled to purchase an entire set? It is a typical modern plastic set. I have seen my tiles on your web site. have some blanks. I am so upset. Any suggestions?
>Seema

Hi Seema,
You need to look at my Tiles For Sale and Tiles Wanted bulletin boards. There are at least 3 services for those who need replacement tiles - if none of them can help you, you can post on the Tiles Wanted board.
As for you having seen your tile on my site, you'll have to be more specific. There are a lot of pictures of tiles here. I might have a tile for you, if your set is Polystyrene cream-colored tiles, 7/8" X 1-5/32" X 1/2," like these:

Otherwise the sellers on the Tiles For Sale board are your best bet.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 23, 2008

---

What is the basic goal of mah-jongg? - Part 3

>From: Ellen Petrey
>Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 9:22 PM
>Subject: Wow!
>I went thru the Q&A page of your site and was totally awed!!! You are terrific to answer so many.
>I feel I owe you an apology for asking such a simple question and I will definitely be getting a book! (My only defense is that I am a newbie and had not even seen this part of your site. But what a resource for players too!)
>Many thanks, Ell

Hi Ellen,
I recommend you read some of the FAQs and figure out some basics. I'm always here to answer questions that aren't answered in the FAQs.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 22, 2008

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What is the basic goal of mah-jongg? - Part 2

Subject:
From: "Ellen
Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 8:35 PM
> Thanks. Now I have to go look up rummy!
> ~:-} It's all good. (Guess you get a lot of questions...........)
> Best, Ell

Hello Ellen, you wrote:

Now I have to go look up rummy!
Well, if you really want to, I'd recommend www.pagat.com. But perhaps it'd be more to the point to read some of the FAQs here, especially FAQ 10?

(Guess you get a lot of questions...........)
You can say that again.

Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 22, 2008

---

Two Frequently Asked Questions

>From: Mchichakli
>Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 6:25 PM
>Subject: mah jong set
>I have a mah jong set brought to the U.S. by my parents and purchased either in the Philippines or Hong Kong around 1939. I was always told my parents that it is ivory, but I really don't know. The color was originaly a true shade of ivory, but it has yellowed and scratched with age. It is in a hand carved teakwood box with 5 pull out drawers. It has 144 pieces which include 8 flowers, all different and numbered 1, 2, 3 or 4 in both Arabic numbers and Chinese characters. The one bamboo is a peacock. The white dragon is a rectangular brown frame, the green dragon is a green character and the red dragon is a red character. Additonally, there are 3 blank tiles and 2 unmatched dice. Each tile measures 1-1/8" h x 7/8" w x 1/2" d. Photos are attached.
>Do you think this set could be ivory? And do you have any idea of its worth?
>Thank you, Pat

Hello Pat, you asked:

Do you think this set could be ivory?
Unlikely. You have to read Frequently Asked Questions #7c & 7c2 to be sure. Please scroll up and find the links to the FAQs, above left.

And do you have any idea of its worth?
No, because you haven't given me the information requested in Frequently Asked Question #7h.

Photos are attached.
Nope, no photos were attached.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 22, 2008

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What is the basic goal of mah-jongg?

>From: Ellen
>Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 2:57 PM
>Subject: What is it?
>What is the basic premise of mah-jongg? What are the players aiming to accomplish?
>Thanks, Ell

Hello Ellen,
This information can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions ("FAQs"), above left.

This is from FAQ 1: "mah-jong is a four-player game whose gameplay is not dissimilar from the playing-card game Rummy."

This is from FAQ 10: "The goal of the game is to go out with a complete mah-jongg hand before anybody else does. It's a lot like the card game 'Rummy.'"

Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 22, 2008

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Vintage Appraisal Question, part 2

>From: Ernie
>Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2008 10:05 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>Will you please evaluate my set? Thanking you in advance,
>This set consists of hand painted Catalin tiles. (Royal Depth Control, A & L Mfg. Co., Inc., N.Y.
>It was purchased about 1960 and is in very good condition.
>The leather-like case has a key, 2 wooden trays and 5 Bakelite racks.
>There are 165 Butterscotch Colored Tiles (1 ¼” x 7/8” x 7/16”)
>36 Bams (1-9)
>36 Craks (1-9)
>36 Dots (1-9)
>12 Dragons
>16 Winds
>20 Flowers (1-4)
> 3 Extra Flowers (1)
> 1 Extra Flower (4)
> 4 Jokers
>1 Blank

Hi Ernie,
I was wondering when you'd come back. You still haven't given me all the information I asked you to give me (below), which means that my margin of error is increased greatly. Your question for me is:

please evaluate my set
I assume that means your question is "what's my set worth." Since the set has just 4 engraved jokers, the purchaser will have to sticker some of the "extra" flowers in order to have the proper amount of jokers required in today's American rules. You didn't tell me about the condition of the case or the racks. And apparently the dice and wind indicator have been lost. So my guess is in the range of $90, give or take.

Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 21, 2008

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It's an illegal move, part 2

>From: Arlene
>Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 3:25 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is: Hi Tom: I probably didn't explain myself clearly. Player A had an exposure of 2-4 Bams and 1-joker. Player B discarded a 4-bam (she forgot to redeem player A's joker) so player A called the 4-bam, replaced it with her joker in her exposure, put her joker on her rack and called mah jongg.
>Is what she did legal?
>Arlene

Hi Arlene,
I answered this question yesterday, when I said (below): "That's an illegal play. Read FAQ 19G. You know where the FAQs are."
I recommend you bookmark FAQ 19 for future reference.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 19, 2008

---

It's an illegal move, all right, but not the one she thinks

>From: Arlene
>Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 4:01 AM
>Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
>My mah-jongg question or comment is:
>A player had an exposure of 2- 4-bams and 1 joker. Another player discarded a 4-bam (she forgot to redeem the joker). The player who had the exposure called the 4-bam and put the joker in her hand and called Mah Jongg.
>I thought once you have made an exposure you were not able to make changes to your exposure. Is that correct?
>Arlene

Hi Arlene, you wrote:

I thought once you have made an exposure you were not able to make changes to your exposure. Is that correct?
Yes. But redeeming a joker does not constitute making a change to the exposure. Making a change to an exposure would be like changing a pung to a kong or changing a kong to a pung, something like that. Read FAQs 19M & 19AF.

But that's not the crux of the matter you described. The real problem is what you said happened...

The player who had the exposure called the 4-bam and put the joker in her hand
I assume you mean that the 4B was used to redeem the joker before putting the joker in the hand. That's an illegal play. Read FAQ 19G. You know where the FAQs are.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 18, 2008

---

Vintage Appraisal Question

>From: Ernie
>Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 3:16 PM
>Subject: Vintage Mah Jong Appraisal (Q&A Bulletin Board)
>This is a set offered by original owner (inherited from Mom); it is in very good to excellent condition, set was purchased 1960; manufacturer

Hi Ernie,
You have asked Frequently Asked Question #7p. Please scroll up and find the links to the FAQs, above left. Click FAQ 7p. After you've read the FAQ, ask me what it is you want to know.
Standing by...
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 17, 2008

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Someplace in L.A. that can restore my mah-jongg set?

From: "Poppy
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 12:35 PM
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
> My mah-jongg question or comment is:
> My mother has unsurfaced an old Mah-Jongg set (circa 1920) that
> belonged to her grandmother. The wooden box is falling apart and some
> of tiles need repainting (ivory), also the silk bag has been chewed by
> mice.
> We are wondering: is there a place in Los Angeles that could restore
> it? I was picturing probably somewhere in China Town???
> Thank you!
> Poppy
> [telephone number deleted]
> Santa Monica

Hi Poppy,
I don't think there's anything about box restoration in Frequently Asked Question #7o (seven oh, not seventy). But if you scroll up and find the links to the FAQs, above left, then click FAQ 7o, you'll find ideas for getting your tile paint touched up. (Hint: there's a model airplane shop on Pico, near 17th Street, I think.)

For the box, I'd recommend looking in the yellow pages for an antique furniture restorer. But be advised that the cost is likely to be more than the set itself is worth. I sincerely doubt that your tiles are actually ivory (read FAQs 7c and 7c 2). And what's this about a silk bag? What did the bag contain? I never heard of a set with a silk bag in it. You can probably get nice silk in Little Tokyo, on 1st Street.
Good luck!
Tom Sloper
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind," the definitive book on mah-jongg East & West.
トム·スローパー   /   湯姆 斯洛珀  /  탐 슬로퍼
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
June 17, 2008

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CLICK HERE to read older Q&A postings!

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