---

● Mah-Jongg Basics (Universal)
● Simplified Chinese Rules (FAQ10)
● Misunderstood Chinese Rules (FAQ 20)

● Q & A Bulletin Board
● Find Players/Teachers BB
● Sets For Sale BB
● Sets Wanted BB
● Tiles For Sale BB
● Tiles Wanted BB
● Accessories For Sale BB
● Accessories Wanted BB

Hi, Pat!
Yes, everybody should pass their two tiles to the right. But then you should all pass one more to the right after receiving those two tiles.
I came up with an "I.O.U." solution to this sort of Blind Pass quandary in 2012, and the League adopted it as a rule in 2020. See Column 534. In the NMJL rulebook (2023 edition), see the Note on page 13.
Any way you can manage to have each player pass three tiles, even if not all three at the same time, solves the Blind Pass quandary.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
October 2, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

How should we rule this situation in our Super Joker table rules?

On Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 01:14:05 PM EDT, Bev G wrote:
Subject: Big/Super joker
Hello Tom,
Our group of three tables play at the public library in our small town.  A few years ago we added two blank tiles to our sets to use as Super Jokers which can be used in any hand on the card.  Our house rule, because it's fun.
 This dilemma actually came up this week. 
Question:  I have three Bams displayed with one Super Joker to make a Kong, it's my turn to pick from the wall. If I were to pick another Bam I could use it to replace the Super Joker which I  would place  in my hand on my rack, but, my pick is a regular joker.  Can I exchange my newly picked (regular) joker, for the Super Joker and place the Super Joker in my hand ? 
Thanks for your Mahjongg expertise.
Bev

囧 Gosh, Bev, like I wrote in FAQ 14, The Three Rules on Table Rules, since you folks made up your own rule, you need to figure out all its ramifications yourselves. But in this case, I think maybe I see something a little differently than the naysayers in your group do.
We have to begin with the National Mah Jongg League's rules, as a foundation. Your Super Joker feature was built on that foundation.
The NMJL's joker redemption rule is that an exposed joker can be redeemed with a natural tile that fits the exposure. Right?
In your rules, you have two types of jokers: regular NMJL jokers and your custom Super Jokers. Both of them may be used in an exposure, which is how you came to your quandary. I assume in your rules, a Super Joker can be redeemed with a natural, are you with me, am I on track?
A regular NMJL joker is a more powerful tile than the natural tiles. A natural tile may be used to redeem an exposed NMJL joker.
A regular NMJL joker is, I assume, not as powerful as a Super Joker (because, you know: "Super"). I suppose the Super Joker has uses that regular jokers don't. Because it's Super.
To me, it would be consistent (based on this hierarchy of tile power) to permit redeeming a Super Joker with an ordinary NMJL joker. The concept is the same: using a less-powerful tile to obtain a more-powerful tile, when exposed atop a rack.
But the decision belongs to your group.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
October 6, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

What's the make and model of this particular table?

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 12:37:54 AM EDT, Albert G wrote:
Subject: Q&A
Hi, on your site where you talk about the various tables and autotables that exist, there's an image of a particular mahjong table. I was just curious if you have any other information as to where this particular table is from, such as a model number or any other images or materials.

囧 Gosh, Albert, that photo is twenty years old, and so is that part of the Tables FAQ (I should really edit out the outdated information in that FAQ). That particular twenty-year-old table was made in Japan for the Japanese market; it's safe to assume that it's no longer being manufactured or supported.
I don't know the make and model of that particular machine. So I'm sorry, but I can't answer the question you asked today.
The situation with automatic tables has changed a lot since that FAQ was written. Back then, they were astounding exotic artifacts from across the sea. Today, there are hundreds of homes in America that have one. There are manufacturers who offer automatic tables in America today, and the prices are lower today than they were twenty years ago. Twenty years ago, tables of that sort were primarily manufactured for a limited market: commercial mah-jongg parlors in Japan and other parts of Asia. Today they're available for American consumers, and I recommend you look into modern machines and modern sources.
Go for the low-hanging fruit rather than the twenty-years-gone chimera. As I mentioned to Dolores K on September 10, below, Frank Du represents a table manufacturer, and he is active on Facebook. You can just send him a friend request on Facebook and ask him questions. If you want to price-shop, you could check out the manufacturer listings in that FAQ, but it might be easier to join one or more mah-jongg groups on Facebook and ask around. Frank's Facebook profile is at https://www.facebook.com/rong.du2
Albert, I'm sorry that my site is so bloated with old information, and that I'm not more gung-ho about modernizing it and cleaning out the cobwebs.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
October 1, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Clarification on "All Types"

On Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 01:12:28 PM EDT, Sandi M wrote:
Subject: Clarification of an "All Types" hand
Dear Tom,
Our Mahjong group uses "The Red Dragon & The West Wind" as our official Chinese Mahjong rule book. There has been confusion regarding what constitutes an "All Types" hand. Your rule book on pg 186 #52 All Types states: "Hand contains sets (including pairs) of each suit, and winds and dragons. May combine with Seven Pairs."
Since your example only shows one pair, some in our group think only one pair can be allowed. The term using the plural (including pairs) is used, and the fact that it can be combined with Seven Pairs; others say you can have more than one pair in the hand.
Your input will be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks,
Sandi M

Hi, Sandi! I understand the confusion, since my book only shows one illustration of each hand. For #52, All Types, I chose to illustrate it as the most common "shape" of a hand: four sets and a pair.

In Chinese mah-jongg, there's no such thing as a hand with two, three, four, five, or six pairs. It's either one or seven!
In Chinese mah-jongg, there are five types of tiles that can be used in the hand: dots, craks, bams, winds, and dragons. As long as the hand has tiles from each of those types, it qualifies. Here's an example of how Five Types could combine with Seven Pairs:

So I help that satisfies the confusion! Keep on playing, and may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
September 29, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Backsies! Undo! Do-over! (FAQ19#undo")

On Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 03:06:17 PM EDT, <kathleen.h wrote:
Subject: Mah Jongg Question
Hi Tom
Our group was playing the other day. One person called for a tile. Put the tile up on her rack with her other tiles. Then she said she changed her mind and didn't want that tile, wanting to return it to the table. Once you call for a tile & place it on your rack it is a done deal, correct? I would like the official rule so I can show her. Thank You
Kathleen

You are correct, Kathleen. Show her FAQ 19-AM, the "change of heart" rules.

The rule is on p. 18, rule 13.
There's really no good reason why there shouldn't be a copy of the rulebook at every table.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
September 25, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

I have been asked to find out any thing, part 6

On Monday, September 23, 2024 at 10:38:13 PM EDT, Ron G wrote:
Re: Mahjong pictures
Ok sir no problem , I know my mom is looking for a value and I’m not even sure if that is something you do, or maybe point me in the right direction to find someone to appraise it and if possible an approx year it was made we have a little documentation on it when the they came over from England to USA so I guess that would be a great help sir and thanks again Ronnie G

Okay, so you want to know how much it might be worth. Value depends on completeness, condition, beauty/rarity, and demand (what the market will bear at the time of sale).
Completeness? It has the tiles, except maybe one. It has most of the bits and pieces. I have to assume there's no coffin lid. I have to assume maybe one of the wind discs is missing or maybe a part of the black wind disc container (the "mingg"). The booklet is apparently not present.
Condition? The tiles look like VG (Very Good) but pictures cannot tell me what condition the wood case is. I assume the front slide slides into place easily and slides out easily. I have to assume the box has the original handle.
Beauty/rarity? It's reasonably attractive. It's not rare.
Demand? These old sets are mainly of interest to collectors, not players. (Plastic tiles are more pleasant to play with on a regular basis.)
I would say the set's value is in the low hundreds (somewhere between $100 and $300), depending on how much a buyer wants it for their collection. And assuming my assumptions are not far off as to missing parts, the condition of the box...
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
September 23, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

I have been asked to find out any thing, part 5

On Monday, September 23, 2024 at 10:22:09 PM EDT, Ron G wrote:
Subject: Re: Mahjong pictures
Hello sir , I’m sorry if I didn’t get it right but as I said I’m kind of new to this so I’m going to go back to mom’s and read your email to retake some pic’s and get better pic’s to answer as much as I can sir and I will do my best to get you what you need and also have the questions as well thanks for your time . Ronnie G

Ron, I don't need better pictures. I don't need any more pictures. I just need questions. What else do you want to know?
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
September 23, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

I have been asked to find out any thing, part 4

On Monday, September 23, 2024 at 08:15:17 PM EDT, Ron G wrote:
Subject: Mahjong pictures
Hello sir unfortunately I’m a much better mechanic than I am at using computers or smart phones so I hope these pic’s are ok and thank you Ronnie G

On Monday, September 23, 2024 at 08:17:44 PM EDT, Ron G wrote:
Subject: (No Subject)
Download all attachments as a zip file

Your pictures are pretty good, Ron, but they don't tell me everything. They don't tell me what questions you have for me. They don't tell me whether any bits are missing in the "bits and pieces" drawer. They don't tell me whether the front slide slides nicely into place.
But they do tell me some things. You have all the tiles you're supposed to have, except you seem to be missing an 8th blank tile (you have four in place as white dragons, and it looks like only 3 of them, one discolored, are in the "bits and pieces" drawer. Your pictures show that the condition of your tiles is not perfect, and not terrible. So: their condition is "VERY GOOD - Item has a few defects that any normal person would notice upon close examination." It looks like you have four tiny dice in the tiny dice coffin, but the lid of the coffin is missing or lost? Your photo shows me that you do have some of the wind indicator discs and the "mingg," but I don't know if all 4 discs are there plus the mingg's lid and bottom to contain the 4 discs. It looks like you have some extra dice in the set. I don't know if any of the scoring sticks are missing, but those parts are of less concern.
Although it is a Babcock set, it is apparently missing the "little red book" that's supposed to be in there.
Ron, you didn't ask me any questions. If you want to know something else, ask.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
September 23, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

I have received different answers, part 2

On Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 01:57:05 PM EDT, Mary Ann C wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Hi Tom
Thank you for the information. You are our gospel for the correct rules.
Mary Ann
Sent from my iPad

You're welcome, Mary Ann!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom

I have received different answers to this question

On Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 01:13:50 PM EDT, Mary Ann C wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
I have received different answers to this question: If I pick from the wrong end of the wall, do I have to have racked it to be dead or am I dead simply because I picked from the wrong end of the wall?
Thank you, Mary Ann

Hi, Mary Ann! You received different answers, you say. Was one of those answers from the National Mah Jongg League? If so, that one's the answer. If you posted your question on social media and got different answers, well, that's to be expected, because people who are not knowledgeable of the rules will answer with their opinion.
All I can do is transcribe the actual rule for you, verbatim.

From MJME 2023, page 19, rule 15 (i): If a player picks from the wrong wall and a tile from the wrong wall is racked, the player who picked the tile now has a "dead" hand.
So there's your answer. Don't you wish the people on social media who answer rules questions all had a copy of the official rulebook?
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
Autumnal Equinox, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

What if a player picks her mahj tile and another player calls the live discard? ("Conflicting self-pick and call")

On Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 09:47:17 AM EDT, Hedy G wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
While playing I was on call for MJ. The player before discarded, I picked and while I was bringing the tile towards me, and said oh, Mah Jongg loud and clear, but I did not rack, the next player in turn called for the previous tile. I believed it was mine because I declared MJ. The player who through the tile said no because I hadn’t racked. This has happened once before. Same players, same scenario. And I gave in then and I gave in this time because I did not want to have an argument. I allowed the player to get her tile and she exposed and threw. The next in turn picked my tile, looked around and then threw the tile and I of course declared MJ, which truly pissed off the other player. And as I said it happened once before in exactly the same fashion. Btw, I was jokerless so of course I wanted that self picked win. Was I correct? The NMJL told me I was correct but I would like your opinion, thank you…
Hedy G
Sent from my iPad

Wow, Hedy! As I was reading your email, I was thinking "mahj trumps everything, you said mahj and that should end it, but to really be sure, you ought to ask the League," but then you said the League already told you that and you want ME to confirm the League's ruling? Wow! The League is in charge of their rules, not me. But I appreciate the faith you put in my opinion. I hope the League told you that in writing, so that you can prove the ruling to your group!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
Last day of summer, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Where is the rule permitting or forbidding unnecessary exposing?

On Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 08:25:12 AM EDT, Jim V wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A: exposing unnecessarily but intentionally
My mah-jongg question or comment is: a number of new players want to make any of their pungs/kongs/quints or other groupings and then put them atop their rack. These are groupings that have been made behind the scenes and not from claiming a discarded tile. Strategically I know this is a terrible idea but where in MJME or the annual bulletins is it printed that this is or is not allowed?
I have the 2023 printed edition and the last 2 years of bulletins and just cannot find anything expressly forbidding such a practice.
If you know of a specific place in the rules, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Jim V
Sent from my iPhone

Hi, Jim! The rulebook describes the rules of exposing on pages 14-15. It never mentions making an exposure from a picked/drawn wall tile, so therefore (since it is not mentioned at all), making an exposure from a picked/drawn wall tile is NOT part of the rules! It should make logical sense that players cannot do something that is not part of the rules. The League tries to keep the rulebook short, so it does not go into every possible newbie misunderstanding, many of which are based on how Rummy's rules work.
The way I explain this to my students is to say that exposing is not a happy sign of progress but rather a price you must pay, for the privilege of calling a discard. The rulebook doesn't express the concept that way, but to an experienced player, that's clearly the way it works.
I explain to my students that once a player has made one exposure, opponents have a little strategic information that might be used against the exposed player, and once a player has made two exposures, opponents can tell a LOT about how to defend against that exposed player. I tell students that a tile grouping (a pung or kong or quint) hidden in the hand is one's "happy secret." This strategic explanation, with its accompanying cute little phrase, often helps students understand why they shouldn't expose unless from a discard.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
Last day of summer, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

I have been asked to find out any thing, part 3

On Monday, September 16, 2024 at 05:13:33 PM EDT, Ron G wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is: Hello Mr Tom bills post is very helpful also the pic’s in FAQ 710 looks to be identical to what my mother has but I’m going to get photo’s and send them sir. Thanks again Ronnie

Okay. Standing by...
Tom

I have been asked to find out any thing, part 2

On Monday, September 16, 2024 at 04:16:10 PM EDT, Ron G wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is: Hello again and thanks so much for the guidance also would I email pictures to this board as well sir and once again thank you for your advice ! Ronnie 

Yes, you would email the pictures to me - you can use your gmail and you can just reply to my email. Have you read FAQ 7-H and FAQ 7-G? Depending on what questions you'll ask, there is specific information I need from you, which is outlined in those FAQs. And if you send pictures of tiles, the tiles need to be ORGANIZED. An excellent example is below, the September 14 post from billb.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
September 16, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

I have been asked to find out any thing I could

On Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 06:28:02 PM EDT, Ron G wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:Hello sir my name is Ronnie and honestly all I know of the game is what I’ve been researching for the past week. My mother (86) was given my great grandparents Mah-jong game they came big from England in 1906 with this box it has the sliding frt panel and 6 drawers she has asked me to find out any thing I. Could,could you guide me where to go  from here thank you 

Hi, Ronnie! These links should get you started:
● Column 610 discusses typical 1920s mah-jongg sets
● FAQ 7 discusses types of sets, what they're made of, the tiles, the extra pieces in mah-jongg sets, and much more.
If you want me to look at your set to answer other questions, make sure to send good pictures of a reasonable large size (minimum 1024 pixels at the widest dimension).
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
September 15, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Help identifying age, part 2

On Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 06:13:21 AM EDT, billb wrote:
Subject: Re: Help Identifying Age of Mah Jong Set
Hi Tom,
Thanks for the quick reply. You do have a great site. I’ve gotten enough of an education to at least have a clue if I encounter another set.
Regards,
Bill

Thanks and you're welcome, Bill.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom

Help identifying age of Mah Jong set. Oh, and value, too.

On Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 06:53:10 PM EDT, <billb wrote:
Subject: Help Identifying Age of Mah Jong Set
Hi Tom,
First of all I knew nothing about Mah Jong or Mah Jong sets before checking your site so what knowledge I have comes from perusing your site (very nice). I’ve attached several images.
I picked the set up at a local flea market recently because they looked old. They do show a lot of wear from use. It only included the box and tiles.
The set contains 140 tiles so I’m guessing it’s intended for the Japanese Market. It came in the wood box with slide on top shown in the images
The tiles appear to me to be Chinese Bakelite (fish Bone?) They are 1.24 in. tall by .93 in. wide by .686 in. deep and very heavy. Each tile weighs .6 oz. and the set in the box weighs 7lbs.
I would say they are in fair condition. Someone wrote numbers on the craks and reversed the 5s and 8s (wrote 5 on each of the 8s and 8 on each of the 5s.
140 tiles total. 36 Dots 36 Craks (the new style) 36 Bams 16 winds 8 Dragons 4 Blanks and 4 of what I believe are flowers.
I’ve attached all the requested images and attempted to name them appropriately.
Any info on age / value would be appreciated. Right now I’m guessing 70s – 80s and not much. Thanks.
Regards,
Bill

Hi, Bill!
Those "Applejuice" Bakelite tiles were popular decades ago. I can't be sure, but probably anytime between the 1930s and 1960s. The wooden box backs up that estimate; later Chinese sets came in cheaper plastic cases. The set was made for local sale in China, since it has no Western indices and the box is cheaply made. I would agree with you that it's in Fair condition. It's utilitarian, at least for Asian players who don't use flowers or might use just four, but not attractive, since two of the tiles are badly discolored. Anyone who plays with the set will quickly learn that a dark tile in the wall or in someone's hand is either a white dragon or a four-bam. And players would have to supply their own dice.
It's an oddity that a previous owner mislabeled the 5 craks and 8 craks. Some collectors appreciate odd quirks in an old set, but I imagine that a collector interested in the set would mainly use it for spare parts, to Frankenstein a complete set. I imagine such a collector would be unlikely to pay more than $50 for it. Nice job on the pictures, by the way! Thanks for that.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
September 14, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

The 2024 NMJL card, part 12

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 05:37:30 PM EDT, Joan O wrote:
Subject: 2024 card
Hi our group is asking about 369 - 4th one down.
Understand the two suits.   The Pungs w/ matching dragons.
Can you use 1 set of 666 green and 1 set of 999 red?
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

No, Joan. They have to be both pungs of threes, OR both pungs of sixes, OR both pungs of nines. See FAQ 16, answers about the 2024 NMJL card.

Please bookmark FAQ 16 for future reference.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
September 11, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

I am interested in purchasing an automatic table

On Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 08:51:19 AM EDT, Dolores K wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
I am interested in purchasing an automatic table for in home use. I don't find any made in the USA. Do you recommend a certain company? Do you recommend certain features built into a table?
With a table being a bit difficult to return (for any reason), I would appreciate any advice you might offer.
Thank you!
Dee

Hi, Dee! I mentioned Frank Du in FAQ 7-F, where I have listed several manufacturers of automatic mah-jongg tables. I checked just now and found that the aotomo.com website is no longer online, but Frank is active on Facebook. You can just send him a friend request on Facebook and ask him questions. If you want to price-shop, you could look into other manufacturers in FAQ 7-F and join one or more mah-jongg groups on Facebook and ask around. I've updated the link to his company in the FAQ. Most manufacturers now support Americans' need for 152 tiles, and I'm pretty sure they have American suppliers now. You'll be the envy of your mah-jongg group when you have one of those marvelous toys!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
September 10, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Jim May

On Monday, September 9, 2024 at 03:55:38 PM EDT, Georgia T wrote:
Subject: Jim May
Is jim May still a collector of mahj sets?
I'm having trouble finding info on him
I collect as well
Thanks
Georgia Taylor

I'm not certain, Georgia. I was under the impression that he sold his collection and that he also sold or gave his website to someone. I think the website went to CHarli, whose website is at www.charli.org/Museum/index.html. At the very least, CHarli would probably be able to tell you more about what has become of Jim.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
9/9/2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Robbing one's own kong, part 3

On Monday, September 9, 2024 at 09:58:17 AM EDT, lorr16 wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Thanks so much for explaining that.
Cheers
Lorraine  
Sent from my Galaxy

You're welcome, Lorraine!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom

Robbing one's own kong, part 2

On Monday, September 9, 2024 at 09:04:31 AM EDT, lorr16 wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Hi Tom,
We use "The Mahjong Players Companian" by Patricia A. Thompson and Betty Maloney.
We don't score and just enjoy the game at our local social and sporting  club.
When playing  my friend Cal made an exposed kong of 8 bamboos which is displayed on her board so everyone can see it, I know the other players can take it to go Mahjong but Cal later in the game realised she could Mahjong if she robbed her own kong.Is it allowed to take your own kong.
Many thanks
Lorraine 
Mandurah 
Western Australia 

I see, Lorraine! I can see clearly now.
After a kong has been exposed and the next player takes a turn, that kong can no longer be robbed. Robbing the Kong is a one-chance deal, a play available only at the precise moment that the kong is made, by promotion from a pung. None of the players can rob that long-ago-exposed kong, including the player whose kong it is. Cal should not have made a kong in the first place, if she could later use one of its tiles in a chow.
The Mah Jong Players' Companion is primarily just a list of hands and their scores. Thompson & Maloney's other book, The Game of Mah Jong, Illustrated, describes the Robbing the Kong rule on page 20, rule 18. I recommend someone in your group purchase a copy of that book.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
9/9/2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Robbing one's own kong

On Monday, September 9, 2024 at 03:24:40 AM EDT, lorr16 wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
Recently a player made a kong with a discarded tile so the forth tile was exposed. She then needed that tile to go Mahjong. I know you can do this from someone else's kong but can you do it from your own kong?
Many thanks Lorraine 
Sent from my Galaxy

G'day, Lorraine. I'm still on my first coffee of the morning, so it took me a while to wrap my head around your question. I gather that you're asking about "robbing a kong," is that right? So you're playing an Asian variant, possibly British/Australian rules. A.D. Millington defines the play as robbing someone else's fourth tile, at the moment of that player promoting an exposed pung to a kong, using a tile drawn from the wall (not from a discard).
I can't picture the scenario you described, and I can't picture a scenario under which someone could rob one's own kong to win. And as the rule is defined by Millington, you can't promote an exposed pung to a kong with someone else's discard in the first place.
Given the above, I would say no, you cannot rob your own kong to win. Two caveats:
1. I would need a clearer picture of the event you're describing - including what tiles the player was holding and what the winning hand would look like (how can one tile be both part of a kong and yet used somewhere else in the hand, and why would someone first promote a pung rather than just say mah-jongg). You probably didn't record that level of detail.
2. Millington's book describes Chinese Classical rules. That variant is the "mother of all variants," so as far as I can say, Millington's definition applies pretty much across the board. Still, to be sure, I'd need to know which variant you play, specifically which author wrote the book your group uses as its "bible."
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
9/9/2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Trying to find out how old they are.

On Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 12:58:44 AM EDT, Lisa J wrote:
Mah-Jongg Q+A
Hello! I have a partial set of MJ tiles, and I was trying to find out how old they are. Hoping you could help.
This is the info I do have:
1. This is a partial set containing 36 Bam tiles, 12 Dragons, 4 Flowers, and 3 Big-Jokers. (photos attached).
2. No paper materials were included
3. Made of Bakelite
4. No historical information
5. Dimensions 1 1/4" x 3/4" x 1/2" (photos attached)
6. No of tiles (see #1)
7. No container
8. No crack tiles
9. One Bam - photo attached
10. Dragons- photo attached
11. Flowers/Seasons- photo attached
12. Jokers - - photo attached
I really appreciate you taking the time to look at my tiles. Thank you!
Lisa

Hi, Lisa!
Odd, isn't it, that two of the suits and all of the winds and a bunch of other tiles all went somewhere else. Sometimes I try to imagine what must have happened. It was common in the 1940s and 1950s to cannibalize sets to sticker them into flowers because of the NMJL's growing "hunger" for flowers (check out column 509). But your collection still has some flowers and even manufactured jokers (so odd that you have just three!). I'm not an expert on manufacturers, so I can't tell you which company made your set with those "Big Jokers," or which years they made those jokers. I'd guess that your tiles were made in the 1950s or early 1960s. If this isn't specific enough for your needs, you could try checking the "Other Excellent Mah-Jongg Sites" part of FAQ 4a. CHarli's or Gregg's sites might be able to give you more information. There are mah-jongg groups on Facebook, too.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
September 8, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Shu Qibo's alternative mah-jongg tiles

On Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 10:03:44 PM EDT, nick g wrote:
Subject: Mahjong Q&A
hi Tom! I love your site. I just picked up this seemingly unique set, i think it's from the 90s and definitely chinese. Instead of honor tiles, there is a fourth red star suit! it's a nice set and the tiles are of very good quality. The insert mentions that the designer wanted to make a game with less of a gambling connotation. If you search his name, you can see that he indeed patented this knockoff of the game and it was written about in a local journal -  https://www.tongxianghuicn.com/article/818477.jhtml?libId=814
anyway, just wanted to contribute to the archive and wondered if you'd seen this before! it's odd to me that he tried to make a new variant but the rest of the tiles are all totally normal. the case is a heavy plastic matching in teal with 1-bam birds on the closures
thanks for your work!
nick g
Download all attachments as a zip file

Hi, Nick!
I have one of those sets in my collection. It's not the only set in my collection that uses non-traditional tile designs. Mah-jongg has two problems:
1. The tiles are daunting, a "barrier to entry," according to some people*
2. In its homeland, China, mah-jongg has a strong association with the evils and illegality of gambling.
So according to the article, Shu Qibo designed this set to solve at least the second problem. Others have endeavored to solve the first. More on that in a bit.
I followed your link and saw that the page is in Chinese. I used the browser's translation feature:

XiangXiangwen Volume period (): Issue 37
Publishing date: 2010-02-01
Publishing cycle: Annual
Opening: 16 open
Author: Wang Hua
Number of article pages: 2 pages
Number of articles: 1342 words
Browsing times: 65 Times
Downloads: 0 Times
Unfortunately, your organization does not have permission to read the resource, please contact
Disclaimer:
This library contains periodicals in the Taiwan region. In order to provide researchers with original materials, this library preserves the original appearance and has not been deleted. It does not mean that this library agrees with the author's views and terms. Please identify!
New brand new play method New brand new player - Book Politic sports inventor Shu Qibo
Summary:
This is a new sports project that has received state expertise and is supported by state agencies. This is a new device that combines fun, puzzle and game one. This is an athletic device that retains both the traditional state and the spirit of innovation. This is the —— Polaroid Concession License. In order to respond to the instructions of the National Sports Bureau to include mahjong in the normal sports program, Shu Jibo has a 50-year mahjong actual combat experience. Based on the appearance and style of the old mahjong, it has been removed from the east, west, north, Chinese, Feng, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, May, Lan, Ju, Bamboo and other cards with strong gamboo have developed Poly.
Keywords: Polyco Patent Sports | Mahjong's new gameplay | New sports

I didn't find those images on the site you linked, but it doesn't matter. I don't know why the translation mentions "Polaroid," but it doesn't matter. The thing I see in these alternate sets is point #1 above, the one with the asterisk.
* I disagree that the traditional tile designs are a problem that needs to be solved. It takes only one or two lessons with a teacher to overcome that. For many players and even people who might want to learn, the tile designs are intriguing because they are so exotic. And the tile designs people like Shu Qibo and others come up with are no less daunting, no less a "barrier to entry." The only suit designs that would seem less off-putting would be to use playing card suits: spades, hearts, clubs, diamonds. But only three of those could be used, and which three? The winds and dragons and flowers still have to be dealt with. Interesting that Shu Qibo got rid of them and added a fourth suit instead. He probably (I can't read Chinese) designed rules to do away with those even more "troublesome" tiles.
I see the whole thing as a tempest molehill in a teapot mountain. To mix metaphors. Which is kind of what Shu Qibo's tile set does.
May the tiles be with you, Nick.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
September 8, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

This exchange has been added to the "Mystery Tiles" FAQ.

About saying the name of the tile you're redeeming

On Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 06:27:28 PM EDT, Sue Z wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
Tom –
I have a question about your response to Jean on 8/27/24 regarding a Joker exchange.
You said -- Player 1: "Here's a One Dot. Let me have that Joker from your exposure of One Dots, please."
The verbalization of the exchange begins with the words “Here’s a ”, which clearly indicate the intent to do a Joker exchange, but then you immediately fully name the tile “…One Dot.”, which ordinarily commits the player to discarding. Since the action of intent (“Here’s…”) occurs before the action of discarding (fully naming the tile), can the Joker exchange proceed?
I always teach my students that you never verbalize the name of a tile you intend to exchange to prevent any possible confusion about being committed to discarding rather than exchanging.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks so much.
Sue Z

Hi, Sue!
I teach my students the same thing. When redeeming a joker, it's best practice not to make a mistake that can be construed as a discard instead. I shouldn't have said "here's a one dot," but rather "I'd like to redeem your joker with this one dot, please." Saying it that way (or some other way that specifically mentions joker redemption, before saying the tile's name) communicates that redemption is the intended act, not discarding. And I'll go back to my 8/27/24 post and make that correction.
It should go without saying that I was just expressing concepts to illustrate an occurrence; the words I chose originally were more by way of exposition (of painting a visual picture) than a precise setting forth of recommended wording. In fact, nobody needs to say the tile's name at all while redeeming a joker - I just did that to paint a picture in the reader's mind of what was happening in my imagined alternative occurrence. But, way to keep me honest, Sue!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
September 8, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

"Backsies!" May a player call a do-over in this instance?

On Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 04:09:06 PM EDT, suzanne r wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
May a player call, display the tiles, and change their mind and take them back before they have discarded?
Sent from my iPhone

No, Suzanne. Once the tiles were displayed, the move has been irrevocably committed to. See the Backsies/Do-Over/Change of Heart rules in FAQ 19.
All the most frequently asked questions in American/NMJL mah-jongg rules are answered in FAQ 19. You might want to bookmark it for future reference.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
September 5, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Ideas for a hinge pin replacement, part 2

On Friday, August 30, 2024 at 05:51:15 PM EDT, Joanne L wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Thanks. 
Joanne

You're welcome, Joanne.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 30, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Ideas for a hinge pin replacement?

On Friday, August 30, 2024 at 03:30:21 PM EDT, Joanne L wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
I have a vintage set with a leather case with 1 inch hinges. One of the hinges is missing the pin that keeps the hinge together. How would I find a replacement?
Thank you in advance for your help. 
Joanne

Hi, Joanne! I would see if a piece of clothes hanger wire might fit, or a paper clip. Cut to length and bend the ends.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 30, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Is it improper etiquette to organize the discard pile?

On Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 10:56:09 PM EDT, <susanml wrote:
Subject: Question regarding discards
Hello ! Is it improper etiquette to organize the discard pile? I played with a woman today and after each discard she either touched it and arranged it into suits in a line or required the rest of us to do this as well. It was completely maddening not to mention slowed down the play.
Thanks!
Sent from my iPhone

Hi, Susan! When I join a new group, I adapt to their table rules. But it does sound like improper etiquette, if the group does not agree with it. You say she "required" the rest of you to organize discards? If the others complied with her "requirement," then it sounds like she has some sort of leadership role in the group. Sounds a lot like a post I read today in "Mah Jongg, That's It!" on Facebook:

I have just joined a new group of mahjong players. The person in charge insists that all discarded tiles must be laid in front of our racks and in a row and that we can not just place all discarded tiles together. Ever heard of such a “rule”. I don’t want my discards in front of me for everyone to see!

In Japanese riichi majan and in Chinese official Competition Rules, it's a requirement to place discards in an orderly fashion. Since I've played both of those variants, I've found that it's not an "advantage" for one player over another, since everyone is doing it.
But orderly discards is not standard practice in American (NMJL) rules, and would not be enforceable by anyone on you in an American-style tournament. If the group agrees to use it as a table rule, then what's the harm? Different tables commonly use different table rules. But if there's one bossy player at the table who's trying to force the others into a practice they don't actually like, well, I wonder why people keep playing with her. I suggest you bring it up to the group and ask for your own satisfaction if they all like it that way and what their reasoning is. Maybe you'll come to accept the table rule. Or maybe they'll tell her she's outvoted.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 29, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Age and approximate value, part 5

On Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 07:01:29 PM EDT, Nick M wrote:
Subject: Re: Butterscot Mahjong Set
Thanks for your knowledge on the subject. One thing the red and green dragons are there in one of the pictures but there were only 3 of each. I assume I can find the missing parts on line. Thanks 
Sent from my iPhone

Again: those are not dragons. They're flowers, and they do not match the rest of your tiles (see how they're darker than the rest, and not exactly the same size). You can remove them from the set, but I would leave them in just for the heck of it. You certainly don't need to go to the extreme step of hunting for two more of them.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 29, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Age and approximate value, part 4

On Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 10:33:35 AM EDT, Nick M wrote:
Butterscot Mahjong Set
Set in in fine condition. Not sure if set is complete. I’m sending pictures and have put tiles in sets of 4 as pictured. Dice are red translucent. There seems to be 2 dragons missing and I guess according to your website the blanks are for the white dragons. There also may be missing flowers. I don’t know how this set came to be. There are 6 bone tiles and 4 bamboo pieces different thickness. 3 of the bone tiles are dovetailed in the middle. The sticks are also bone. 2 black tiles also. All of the circles have square holes and 90% or more are embossed  4 of the holders are mahogany and one apears painted  Thanks in advance for any info 

Nick, I just found this email (which apparently was the first one you sent me) in my email Spam folder. I notice some different information (not given in the email I first replied to, below).
- You say the condition of the tiles is "Fine," rather than "good," which is what I saw in the email I received first. I'll upgrade the condition to "Very Good" for evaluation purposes, since because your photos are the smallest possible size (320x240), it's hard for me to confirm your condition assessment.
- Before, I didn't see any "1 Bam bird" tiles, but now I see them. So you are not missing those.
- You say you're missing two dragon tiles, but you are not. You've apparently confused flowers for dragons.
- Since you have 20 flower tiles, and are not missing any tiles, it looks like this set is complete enough to play modern American mah-jongg after all. However, it still looks like your flowers might not be all of the same manufacture. The value of the set depends partly on how well all the flower tiles match (and whether you can sticker eight of them as jokers, and put together 8 flowers and 8 jokers that do not look obviously different from one another when face-down). It looks like the group of 6 flowers you seem to have taken for dragons are darker than your other tiles, so those may not be suitable. You could also use blanks as jokers (you'd have to sticker them).
Since it now appears that you have not 20 but 14 flowers that actually match your other tiles, it looks like the set's date of manufacture should be revised to the mid-1940s.
You still did not say what condition the four wooden racks are in.
So I am upgrading the previous valuation to around $120-140, give or take. Anyone who buys the set will still need to buy a new case. You should still discard (or at least remove from the case) the extraneous bits I mentioned below. I would leave the six mismatched (darker) flower tiles in the set, though.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 29, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Can a joker be redeemed from a dead player's rack?

On Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 04:45:59 PM EDT, Jane M wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
A player today had displayed 2 seven bams with 2 jokers and she also had displayed 4 six cracks.  A few rounds later , She  declared mahjong and showed four one dot, with 2 flowers.    We called her hand dead as the tiles had to be the same suit.    Question is would the jokers with the seven bams be considered dead also?    They were displaced earlier and we thought she was doing consecutive numbers, different suits . 
Sent from my iPhone

Hi, Jane! I gather you're saying that the prior exposures were ambiguous - that it was not possible to know exactly which hand the dead player had been working on until she erroneously declared mahj. See FAQ 19-P. If those prior exposures were ambiguous, they can remain atop the rack and that means any jokers therein are available for exchange. But the improperly exposed tiles must be returned to the sloping front of the rack. This is rule 4(b) on page 22 of MJME2023.

Age and approximate value, part 3

On Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 10:35:19 AM EDT, Nick M wrote:
Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Here is list. 
Set is in fine condition tiles all look good. 
45 red circles
20 white circles
34 black circles
15 green and blue circles
2 red translucent dice
4 bone 3” tiles
5 racks
2 black tiles
6 bone tiles
6 bamboo
160 butterscotch tiles
Sent from my iPhone

On Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 10:36:10 AM EDT, Nick M wrote:
Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Also the case is in terrible condition. I forgot to mention that. Thanks
Sent from my iPhone

I received these emails after I posted the valuation. Most of this information was already given in your earlier email.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 29, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Age and approximate value, part 2

On Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 09:47:19 AM EDT, Nick M wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
The butterscotch tiles are all in good condition. The case the set is in is in terrible condition. I’m not sure the set is complete. Here is list of what is there. 
45 red circles
20 white circles
34 black circles
15 green and blue circles
2 red translucent dice
4 bone 3” tiles
5 racks
2 black tiles
6 bone tiles
6 bamboo
160 butterscotch tiles
Any knowledge you have will be helpful. 

Nick, what you call "circles" are chips. The tiles that do not match the yellow Bakelite tiles do not belong in the set. You can discard them or try to sell them separately. The split/broken bone-and-bamboo tiles are worthless and should be discarded. The four lone bone scoring sticks are useless in this set, and can be discarded. The fifth rack that does not match the other four should also be removed from the set. Personally, I think the Bakelite tiles are in better condition than just "good," but I'll go with your "Good" assessment, since that's what you said after I told you what "Good" means. The "terrible" case is actually in "Poor" condition, maybe "Fair to Poor" since it functions. You didn't say what condition the wood racks and chips are in. I want to go with "Very Good," based on your photos, but because your photos are too small (just 640x480), I can't trust that guess.
The fact that your set has 160 yellow Bakelite tiles suggests a possible manufacturing date of Late 1950s. But that could be wrong, because your flower tiles appear to be of different manufacture.
What we are left with after removal of the extraneous pieces is a yellow Bakelite 160-tile 4-rack set in Good condition, in a Fair to Poor case. Value is around $100, give or take $20. The value is even less if there are no "1-Bam Bird" tiles in the set. Your photos do not show any. If there are none, the value is around $75 (give or take), to be sold as a fixer-upper.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 29, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Age and approximate value

On Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 06:32:20 PM EDT, Nick M wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
If I send you pictures of a Butterscotch Mahjong game I picked up over 20 years ago. The age and approximate value. History of where and when it might have been made. Thanks for any possible info in advance.

Sure, Nick. When emailing pictures, if you're using a mobile phone or iPad, make sure the photos are large enough so I can see details. Too many people send me the smallest possible size, 320x240 pixels, can you believe that? Pictures should be AT LEAST 1024 pixels at the widest dimension. But pictures alone are not enough. I need complete CONDITION information, as defined in FAQ 7-H. Would you believe that people tell me "it's in very good condition" without realizing what "Very Good" actually means in an evaluation, and without telling me what defects cause the item to be "Very Good" instead of "Fine"? For example, the most common condition of old mah-jongg sets are:
FAIR - Item is utilitarian but not attractive. All defects must be noted.
GOOD - Item is worn but reasonably attractive; any normal person would notice the defects without having to look for them. All defects must be noted.
VERY GOOD - Item has a few defects that any normal person would notice upon close examination. All defects must be noted.
A set can also be Poor or Fine or Mint. I need you to tell me what condition the tiles are (just an overall condition of all the tiles), what condition the container is, and what condition the paper materials are (if any), and what condition the other bits and pieces are.
It's typical that an owner will be loose or generous when describing the condition of their items, but I need to be objective and truthful about an item's condition. This is important - when there are defects, I hope you will tell me honestly what they are and that I can see them myself in the photos. See the FAQ for more information on what I need, in order to give you a reasonably accurate valuation of your mah-jongg set.
Standing by!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 28, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Can someone halt a joker exchange on someone else's turn, and declare mahj on the redeemable tile?

On Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 05:38:58 PM EDT, JEAN G wrote:
Subject: Mah Jongg question
Today one player was doing a joker redemption with a tile that would have given another player Mah Jongg. I wonder if there is ever a time one player getting Mah Jongg with a certain tile would trump the joker swapping with that same tile.

Hi, Jean! So if I understand the suggestion, a situation might go like this:
Player 1: "Here's a One Dot. Let me have that Joker from your exposure of One Dots, please." "I'd like to redeem your joker with this one dot, please."*
Player 2: "Hey wait, you can't do that! It's my mahj tile, so you have to give it to me!"
Player 1: "Oh darn, I thought for sure I was going to get my joker this time!"
Player 2: "Well, them's the rules. Hand it over."
(^o^)'

I can't imagine that such a rule would ever really exist!
In other words, to answer your question as it was asked: No, there is never such a time.
May the tiles be with you!
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 27, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

* Change in wording recommended by Sue Z in our Sept. 7-8 conversation, above.

Mystery little guys and tiles

On Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 02:58:49 AM EDT, Karl M wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is: "What are these little guys doing in my Mah-Jongg set? I have no idea on the origin of this set, but given there is no English, and and looking at your FAQ, I assume it was aimed at the Chinese market, but here it is in Australia.
Second question: What is the "green window" tile? The tiles are very "blocky", 18mm x 25mm and 12mm deep. They seem to be 50/50 wood/bone and dovetailed.
Thanks,
Karl
Melbourne, Australia

G'day, Karl!
1. I don't know. Somebody put them there, I suppose. Your photo shows one of them, but you seem to be saying that there are more than one in the set.
2. It's a white dragon. See the Mystery Tiles FAQ. It's interesting that your white dragons are green, when they're typically either blue or black in most of those old sets.
3. I assume that since you provided dimensions, there is a third question. FAQ 7-A has a section on tile sizes, and your 25x18x12mm is towards the smaller end of the typical size range. Not an unusual or remarkable size.
May the tiles be with you. Oh wait, they already are!
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 27, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Do you have to rack before you say mah-jongg?

On Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 05:02:37 PM EDT, Ekaminowitz wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is: does a tile need to be racked before you can call mah jong or can you call as soon as you pick tile

Say it immediately. Whether you're talking about a live discard or a tile you just picked from the wall, say it immediately. Then put the tile atop the rack and put up the rest of your tiles. Then tell everyone which hand on the card it is and how much everyone owes you.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 22, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Conflicting claims, one for mahj (FAQ 19-I)

On Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 01:19:21 PM EDT, Ellen K wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
If someone calls mahjong but another player calls last tile is the mahjong Jong taken away
Sent from my iPhone

Hi, Ellen! No, it isn't. A claim for mah-jongg is most definitely not overriden by a claim for exposure. This is stated on the back of the card, but I think it would be a good idea if you read FAQ 19-I and also FAQ 19-H, right above it, in their entirety, because the issue of conflicting claims is a HOT topic in American mah-jongg, and it has many convolutions, and is more complex than the brief description on the back of the card.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 22, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Does this fall under “use your eyes and ears” - part 2

On Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 07:08:39 PM EDT, Shirley M wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Thanks so much for your answer and guidance!
Sent from my iPad

You're welcome, Shirley!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 20, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Does this fall under “use your eyes and ears”?

On Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 04:09:06 PM EDT, Shirley M wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is: Player A discards a 7 crack. Player B calls the discard and puts up a joker and two 7 bams but does not discard nor has she touched the discarded 7 crack. Does this fall under “use your eyes and ears”? Is player B dead or does she get to put the exposed tiles back on her rack and pick?
I’ve read through your rules explanations, but am not certain how this should be handled. I also have your book and don’t see it.
Thank you.
Shirley M
Sent from my iPad

Hi, Shirley!
This falls under "Can I change my exposure if I haven't discarded yet?" That's FAQ 19-AF. A letter from the League dated 2/20/24 (long after RDWW was published in 2007) says no, not in this case. You can amend the number of tiles but not the type of tiles. Her hand is dead. She puts the 7Bams and the joker back on the sloping front of the rack. She's out for the remainder of that game.
[Edit] See also FAQ 19-AM.2. [/edit]
Do you have the latest RDWW errata? You can download it here.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 20, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Those confusing Joker rules...

On Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 03:06:55 AM EDT, mita g wrote:
Subject: Mah Jongg Hand Question
Hi, so glad I found your Web Site??
I teach a Mah Jongg Class at a Retirement Home.
I have two questions.
1) Can you use all jokers to form a Pong or a Kong to call Mah Jongg, or do you need at least one of the missing tiles indicated on the Card?
2)If a discard is made and it is the tile you need to form a Pong or Kong along with your Jokers can you call it?
Thank you.
Mita G
Long Beach, CA
Sent from my iPhone

Hi, Mita!
1) Yes you can, and no you don't. This is a Jokers question, so see FAQ 19-L.
2) Yes you can. This also is answered in FAQ 19-L.

Frequently Asked Questions about the rules of American mah-jongg (National Mah Jongg League rules) are answered in FAQ 19.
And Frequently Asked Questions about the 2024 NMJL card are answered in FAQ 16. I recommend bookmarking FAQ 19 and FAQ 16.
And of course every teacher (and every mah-jongg table or room) should have the League's official rulebook, Mah Jongg Made Easy.

Good luck with your teaching! Hope everyone has fun.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 20, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Is this allowed in NMJL rules, part 2

On Monday, August 19, 2024 at 04:45:12 PM EDT, Pat Lanahan wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Thanks for clarifying!
Sent from my iPhone

You're welcome, Pat!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 19, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Moon at Bottom of Well, part 2

On Monday, August 19, 2024 at 03:19:11 PM EDT, Map wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
Hi again Tom,
I don’t know if this is of interest but I found this on the Net; the site is no longer operational but can no doubt serve as a point of reference for the different views on the pattern-changes of hands over the years. Curiously this would have been written not long before T&M wrote their books on Mah Jong, they I believe hail from Australia and this guy is from New Zealand. As I mentioned in my previous email to you I had come across info before purchasing books on Mah Jong; it’s so long ago now I don’t know whether my original concept of the Moon at Bottom of Well hand was formed by reading this or some other site. Who knows, not I.
However, this gentleman’s description indicates the Pair as being 1’s of Circles. But as you say that would be a tall order if the hand also required a run of 1 to 9 with the fourth Chow being 1,2,3 as well.

From Google Groups
han...@waikato.ac.nz
unread,
27/10/1994
to
Hi,
a while back there was some discussion about the game of Mah Jong. So
therefore for those who are interested I have posted my list of hands from my
book "101 Illustrated Mah Jong Hands". Unfortunately these do not have any
illustrations but all the info is there. Some re-formatting will be necessary.
If you have any questions/comments please email them to me as I will be unable
to keep track of the net due to the fact of upcoming exams!!!!
Have fun
Dave Warner.
72. MOON AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WELL Score: LIMIT
Four Chows of Circles. No
Winds or Dragons.
Pair of 1 Circles.
Concealed (except last).
FISHING: Bonus of 10 points plus Flowers are doubled 3 times
for Purity and 2 times for
Concealed Mah Jong plus any extra doubles for
Flowers.

Hi, Mal. That descripton does not say that a Pure Straight is required. Just four chows of Dots. I stick by my previous recommendation: a Pure Straight plus any chow of dots plus any pair of dots. Period. Note that the hands in Western mah-jongg vary considerably from author to author and from table to table. There is no one authority putting an official stamp on any of them that are not also recognized in other older variants. T&M botched their two wildly different descriptions, so you get to decide this, in conjunction with your playing group.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 19, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Is this allowed in NMJL rules?

On Monday, August 19, 2024 at 01:57:09 PM EDT, Pat L wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:When a player call a discarded tile then exposes that tile and 3 others for her hand and then after exposure but before discarding decides to remove one of the exposed tiles. She then discards another tile . Is this legal or is she committed to the play on ce all four tiles are exposed on her rack even if she has not discarded.

Yes, Pat, it's legal. See MJME2023, p. 15.
If you don't own the rulebook, see FAQ 19-AF.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 19, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Moon at Bottom of Well

On Monday, August 19, 2024 at 01:06:06 PM EDT, Map wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
Dear Tom,
Thank you for the very quick response to my enquiry yesterday about Crazy Chows which was much appreciated. So, on to my second question.
Reference to Moon at Bottom Well - pages 15 and 47 in Thompson and Maloney’s Mah Jong Players Companion.
The description on the pages suggests the hand is ‘four chows and a pair’ and all in the Circles suit. The illustration shows a long run from 1 to 9 plus a Chow 1,2,3. So we may think so far so good.
Curiously the authors in stead of clarifying the pattern of the hand on those obvious pages chose to explain the structure on page 6 under the page heading Short List. Why they chose to do this is baffling but that is not my concern.
So the hand requires three Chows running consecutively from 1 to 9. Ok, so far so good.
However, I still have issues with this hand as follows;
Does the fourth Chow have to be 1,2,3 of Circles or can it be another numbered Chow set of Circles, say 4,5,6 or 6,7,8 etc.
Curiously most Internet sites I’ve come across where they have illustrations tend I suspect to copy T&M’s graphic.
The majority of sites however just describe the hand in the same way as T&M do on pages 15&47, which indicates that the fourth Chow need not be 1,2,3 even though their graphic shows it as such and as many other sites also.
Lastly, before I managed to start playing the game properly and even before having any published hard copy reference I remember reading a couple of websites that mentioned the Moon as being the 1 of Circles and that the special hand M at B of W required the Pair to be 1 Circles also.
Any thoughts on these matters? How do you interpret the hand ?
Kind regards,
Mal J

Hi again, Mal! It's not good that T&M wrote two divergent descriptions of this hand (which appears only in this one book of theirs and in nobody else's book). You say you've found the hand described in many websites? I found just one on scribd: "4 Chows + Pair, all circle suit."
If I was you, I'd just say that the fourth chow can be any chow in Dots, the pair can be any pair of Dots. It's hard enough to have to have a Pure Straight in there without forcing specific numbers on the pair and the fourth chow.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 19, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Crazy Chows

On Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 02:58:52 PM EDT, Map wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
My Mah Jong group have been using the Thompson-Maloney companion book for reference with regards to Western Classic Special Hands. To the most part the descriptions of hand patterns match illustrations but there are a few such as Crazy Chows and Moon at Bottom of Well where descriptions and illustrations create questions.
Consider Crazy Chows which is described as three mixed Chows with a mixed pair (Knitted Pair in Western Classic parlance). The illustration however shows the Chows having a fixed pattern of suits so that the lower number in each Chow are of the same suit; the middle tiles would be a different suit and lastly the higher numbers of the Chows would be from the remaining suit. For example 1-Bamboo, 2-Characters, 3-Circles perhaps along with say 6-Bamboo, 7-Characters, 8- Circles etc. This pattern would therefore follow the Chinese Official Competition Rules Knitted Pattern Sequences i.e, 1,4,7, in one suit; 2,5,8 in another suit and the third suit being 3,6,9.
To achieve the hand using the principle from the illustration would make it at least a Limit Hand but creating it where the mixed Chows can have suits ordered in any way is much, much easier certainly less than a typical Half Limit hand.
So far, all descriptions I’ve come across on the Internet simply describe the hand as four mixed Chows and a mixed Pair and without providing an illustration.
Are you familiar with this hand pattern and if so have you any thoughts on how it ought to be created a) a with a strict pattern of suit e.g. 1,4.7 with one suit etc. or b) any pattern of suits being feasible.
I’ll await a reply before any further questions relating to the Moon-Well hand.
Kind regards,
Mal J

囧 Hi, Mal!
I agree that the book ought to clarify this. I checked T&M's other books, and I also checked Evans & Strauser (the edition I added new material to) and Max Robertson, and didn't find Crazy Chows in any of them. I could have checked even more works on Western mah-jongg, I suppose. Another author might include it.
I agree that it looks like the intent is that the suit order be maintained across all four mixed chows. I think it's best to go with that assumption.
And yes, you are correct that it would be quite possible to have a CMCR Knitted Straight in a Crazy Chows hand. But of course you can't claim points from another variant. (^_^)
I'm not sure I follow you where you wrote: "To achieve the hand using the principle from the illustration would make it at least a Limit Hand..." Are you saying that since the illustration shows a strict suit order, that its difficulty is equivalent to most Limit Hands? Whereas a looser interpretation of crazily-mixed chows (no suit-order requirement) seems more commensurate with Half Limit? It's not an unreasonable thought. If you want, your group can set that as a table rule.
When you want to go on to the next question, it would be great if you could give me the page number of the hand in the Companion book. Somebody must have asked me about Crazy Chows before - I already had a Post-It bookmark on that page!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 18, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Is this an American set?

On Friday, August 16, 2024 at 04:36:14 PM EDT, Rhonda B wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Oh please help me, I’m very new. I just purchased my 1st mah Jongg set came with 166 tiles (see photo)
I have NESW tiles
I don’t have 4 season tiles
I do have 16 flower tiles, all same exact flowers with no numbers
Do I have American mah Jongg set?
What very beginner book/chart should I look for?
Sent from my iPhone

Hi, Rhonda!
Yes, it's an American set, since it has at least 8 flowers and it has at least 8 jokers. You should leave out 8 of the flowers and 2 of the jokers (and don't use the blanks), leaving in 8 flowers and 8 jokers. That leaves you the full 152-tile American set.
You can also use it to play most Asian variants, but since the flowers are all identical, the flowers can't be used the way Asian variants use flowers.
There are several books that describe American mah-jongg. See FAQ 3 for a list. Some new books have come out recently and I need to add some, but that will get you started. There are also several websites that describe the American rules. There are also friendly groups on facebook where you can ask people questions.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 16, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Is there really a "pay for the party" rule for throwing a player's obvious mahj tile?

On Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 07:35:40 PM EDT, Star F wrote:
Subject: Re: Question for MJ
Hi Tom,
We were discussing a rule I have never heard of. I was told that if you're playing and it's very obvious that Player #1 is waiting for 1 specific tile in order to call Mah Jongg. Even though we all know which tile she needs, Player #2 has no choice but to discard the winning tile and Player #1 calls it for Mah Jongg. Player #3 told us about a rule that if Player #2 discards the winning tile, knowing Mah Jongg would be called, she has to pay for all of us. She said that she should have thrown a tile she needed, rather than give Player #1 the tile she knew she needed for MJ. I have never heard of that rule, and can't find it. Can you please help me with this?
Thank you
Star

Hi, Star!
That's a tournament rule, not an official NMJL rule. If it was an official rule, it would be mentioned on the back of the card or in MJME or in a past annual newsletter ... and I promise you it's not there. See FAQ 19-CR for the situations that actually do invoke the "pay for the party" penalty.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 15, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Flicked tiles give me a headache, part 2

On Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 11:27:46 PM EDT, Margo wrote:
Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Hello
Thank you very much for your extensive reply to my quandary.
I liked your man answer!
Way to take action.
Your advice was refreshingly different. Loved it.
Thank you!
Empowered Mahjoung woman
Sent from my iPhone

You're welcome, Margo!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 15, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Flicked tiles give me a headache

On Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 12:37:57 AM EDT, Margo wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
Hello, I am a normally fun loving experienced non tournament player.
I have been noticing a habit of some people at the table and it’s beginning to bother me:
Some players when they discard their tile , they flick it across the table.
I like to confirm visually the tile that they just called, but it gives me a headache watching their tile zip across the table.
Am I being too picky to be bothered by this?
What and how should I make my request ?
75 year old Virgo player
Sent from my iPhone

Hi, Margo!
It's good that you are being observant of each discard. It's a habit I try to teach my students. Perhaps you are being too picky, but if you are actually getting headaches from watching quickly-moving tiles, I have some thoughts.
● You could gently say to the flicker, "I get headaches trying to follow moving objects, so could you please just place the tile?" And say the exact same thing each time they flick. Then ask the game's host for a headache pill.
● You could anticipate that a repeat flicker is going to flick, so unfocus your eyes or look at your opposite player's rack, then move your eyes to where the discard came to rest, and find the discard that matches the tile name the discarder said.
● You could close your eyes when the repeat flicker is going to flick, then ask the discarder to show you where their discard came to rest, explaining that to avoid a headache, you didn't try to follow its movement.
● You could talk to the group, request others' opinions, explaining your objection, and ask for a "no flicking" table rule.
● When the group pooh-poohs your objection, you could play the flicking game yourself, flicking the discard so hard it smacks loudly against whatever it hits. Maybe make the flicked tile overturn another discard, or even disturb a wall. That'll get the group's attention - they won't want you to flick tiles anymore, and when they forbid you from flicking tiles, the miscreant flicker will also be forbidden from flicking tiles. I admit that sounds a little juvenile and peevish, but it would probably be effective.
It's certainly possible that following rapidly moving objects gives you headaches - when I was a kid, I was a voracious reader and used to try to read every sign while riding in the back seat of my father's car, and would get carsick, so I get it. But it's also possible that you get a little mad when somebody flicks a tile, and so the headache is caused by rising blood pressure or adrenaline. Next time you visit an optometrist, you can ask for their advice about the headaches. They may have more tricks than what I've suggested.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 13, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

A discard was misnamed

On Sunday, August 11, 2024 at 02:40:49 PM EDT, storycookfav wrote:
Subject: question
Hi Mr Sloper
Recently had a group of people playing round robin Mahj. No scoring other than door prizes. It was a charity event. Some tables used traditional white mahj tiles and some used the colorful tiles with nontradional suit designs. There were players who had never seen these newer sets. I am not sure if that really factored into this issue, but it was mentioned. Here is the scene.
Game: Player 1 discarded a 5 bam but said 5 crack.
Player 3 says that's not a crack it's a bam,
while she is making statement, player 2 picks and racks.
Player 1 correctly names discard saying 5 bam.
Player 3 says I want that.
Player 2 says too late.
Player 1 is cussing about the strange tiles.
Player 3 still wants 5 bam
I was not at this table but was asked for an opinion. My thought was player 2 should not have picked if the tile was misnamed and someone questioned it.
In FAQ19 AY#3 says it is too late if mistake is noticed after next tile is racked.
Does the fact that Player 3's questioned the discard name prior to the pick/rack make any difference?
What would you do?
Thanks once again!

Hi, Story! I'm with you on this.
When a discard is misnamed, it is not available for calling until it's correctly named. MJME2023, page 16, rule 3.
When player 3 said "that's not a crak," it became public knowledge that the discard had been misnamed.
The game was on hold at that point, until the discarder said the correct name.
That means it was not yet player 2's turn.
That means player 2 picked out of turn.
If I was a judge and was called over to the table, and player 2 is holding a tile picked out of turn, I would either call player 2 dead or tell them to put the picked tile back on the wall. Either way, the discarder must then correctly name the tile and it's available for calling.
FAQ 19AY.3 doesn't apply because player 3 immediately made it known to all that the discard had been misnamed.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 11, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

About that fourth red five...

On Friday, August 9, 2024 at 06:14:37 PM EDT, Jason Y wrote:
Subject: Riichi Mahjogn question?
Hi Tom!
It’s said you are the authority on mahjong in the English speaking world so I have a question for you. Japanese riichi sets come with 4 red 5’s but usually play with 3. It’s said that some parlors or house rules will use all 4 red 5’s? Is this true? And if so, what rule typical rule set do they use?
Thanks!
Jason

Hi, Jason! I doubt there are many parlors or houses that use all four. I believe that the main reason for manufacturers providing a second red five is to fill the space that would otherwise exist in the 36-tile tray. If there has to be an extra of something, it might as well be an extra of the other tiles in the vertical row.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 9, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Valuation checklist, part 2

On Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 11:00:13 AM EDT, Sarah N wrote:
MJ set value
Tom,
Thank you for the information, it was very helpful. I apologize for missing information, it seems that my cut and paste did not work out. Here is the rest of the checklist (and correction for #7) and some additional photos.
7. There are no sticks or chips or anything else aside from tiles, racks and dice. There are 2 dice which are white and black. There are 5 racks in good condition.
8. The container is wood with one tray. Pic attached.
9. The container is in good condition. Its a bot worn but closes properly. Latches work and look original. See pic.
10. There are 2 rule books in excellent condition (pic attached).
11. I think the cracks are older (pic attached).
12. One Bams pic attached.
13. Dragons pic attached.
14. Pics attached flowers.
15. Two jokers.
Thanks again. I appreciate your help.
Sent from my iPhone

Hi again, Sarah.
These new photos (less sharp due to smaller size) do not change the valuation range I gave you yesterday.
The two National Mah Jongg League cards are worth something to collectors, and can be sold separately from the set.
As I said yesterday, the latches or clasps are not original. I can see in a photo that there is an impression of the original latch/lock on the case's faux alligator-skin covering. Also see how they are relatively shiny, compared to the metal handle attachments, which are riveted on, not screwed on.
Yes, your "mystery tiles" are white dragons. If you're actually interested in knowing more about them, or any other tiles in the set, see the Mystery Tiles FAQ.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 7, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Valuation checklist

Subject: Valuation checklist
From: Sarah N
Tue, Aug 6 at 7:20 PM
Hello,
1. I have a Mah- Jong set of tiles, dice and racks that belonged to my aunt; I believe it to be enrobed bakelite or enrobed catalin. The enrobed area is brown.
2. Very good condition. Does not smell. I know very little about the game so there are 2 tiles that are questionable. I don’t know if they are supposed to have what appears to be red marker all over them and I will enclose a picture. The case is old but not too bad and the handle snd closure hardware work.
3. I believe they are enrobed Bakelite or enrobed catalin.
4. I don’t know much about it other than it belonged to my aunt. When she passed, she gave it to my mother, and my mother believes she probably got this in the 50s or 60s.
5. The tile size is 1 in and 3 cm by 2.5 cm.
6. 148 tiles (plus 4 extras). There are 10 flowers and two jokers. There are four tiles included in the 148 that I have not figured out where they belong.
7. 4 extras appear to be from a different set. I could use your help on that.
Thank you,
Sarah
Sent from my iPhone

I have not seen any recent sales prices on enrobed sets, but I'm confident that if your set had 152 enrobed tiles in Very Good condition, with 4 (or 5) racks in Very Good condition, with 2 (or more) dice and original Very Good chips, in a Very Good case, that it would go for many hundreds of dollars. But with all the flaws I can see (and can't see), I have to guess that you could maybe get a few hundred dollars for it. I know that's vague, but it's the best I can do. The mah jongg collectors group on Facebook would know better (but they, too, would need better pictures and a better description).
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 6, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

The 2024 NMJL card, part 11 (continued)

On Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 05:21:19 PM EDT, Cecile O wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Thanks for the info and it now makes perfectly good sense. Duh!
And I love your sometimes snarkyness!
Fellow New Yorker and FLX mahjong player
Cecile
Sent from my iPad

(^_^) Glad I could be of help, Cecile!
May the tiles be with you.

P.S. I just learned a useful Upstate acronym!

The 2024 NMJL card, part 11

On Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 01:34:22 PM EDT, Cecile O wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
I’m struggling with understanding #2 under 369. Can you explain what “like lungs 3, or 9 means?
Cecile
Sent from my iPad

On Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 01:35:42 PM EDT, Cecile O wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Sorry, pungs 3, 6, or 9
Sent from my iPad

Hi, Cecile!
Of course you already know that a "pung" is three identical tiles, like 333 or 666 or 999. "Like" means "alike." So you'll have a pair of flowers, then 3 66 999 in one suit, and then "like pungs" of either threes, or sixes, or nines in the other two suits. Because they have to be "alike," that means you can't mix and match - both your pungs must be threes, or they both must be sixes, or they both must be nines.
I'll add this to FAQ 16. If you come across any other questions about the NMJL card, you might find your question has already been answered there.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
August 1, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Can the quints hand ever be pure?

On Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 07:58:13 PM EDT, Karin M wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
Can the quints hand ever be pure even though you have to have jokers?  You can legitimately have the 4 pure tiles and then the joker.
Sent from my iPhone

Hi, Karin!
I believe you're asking FAQ 19-DP, "Can I score for the jokerless bonus if I have only one joker in a quint?" As you'll see when you click that link, the answer is no. The jokerless bonus applies only to hands that contain no jokers and are not listed in the Singles & Pairs section. You already get a "bonus" for a quint hand, because the Quints hands are already valued higher than regular hands.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 31, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Have you seen flag flowers before?

On Monday, July 29, 2024 at 11:27:30 PM EDT, Katie M wrote:
Subject: Interesting flower/season tiles
Good evening!
I have devoured your FAQ for all the info I can glean about the mahjong set I found in my grandpa’s basement. I have learned that is a Chinese classic on bone and bamboo from the early 1920s. I have searched the internet for another example of my flower/season tiles, but no such luck. Even google image search for these tiles turns up nothing. I was able to find a set with the same box, but their flower/season tiles were different. Have you seen tiles with flags before?
Thank you!
Katie

Hi, Katie! I haven't seen an exact match to your flowers, but there is a flag flower in the Mystery Flowers FAQ (search the page for "countries"),

and I have a commemorative set from a 2005 international mah-jongg tournament that includes a flag flower.

So yes, I've seen a couple of flag flowers before, but no, I don't recall seeing a set of four flag flowers like yours before. Handmade flower tiles (like 1920s bone/bamboo tiles) are often unique. That's one thing that intrigues collectors. Also, I think your set could be from the mid-to-late 1920s.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 2, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

I touched a tile

On Thursday, July 25, 2024 at 09:56:38 AM EDT, Mary Lou F wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is: I touched a tile when it was not my turn. The player had picked and then dropped the tile. I attempted to place it at another place on the wall but the player wanted the tile. The tile was given back the player. I know I was wrong but the player was very angry because I had touched her tile.
Thanks, Mary Lou F

Hi, Mary Lou! You wrote:

MLF: I touched a tile when it was not my turn. The player had picked and then dropped the tile. I attempted to place it at another place on the wall
TS: What? That's illegal. A dropped tile goes back on the wall exactly where it came from (see FAQ 19-BX). But it wasn't your job to do that.

MLF: the player wanted the tile. The tile was given back the player. I know I was wrong but the player was very angry because I had touched her tile.
TS: You didn't just touch it, you were taking her tile away from her. Anyway, that's an interesting story. You know you were wrong, you say. If there was a question behind this story, I hope I answered it.

May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 25, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Tom do you have any articles or written instruction on playing Filipino Mahjong on your website?

Facebook
New message requests
From Facebook user and 2 more
Barbara W R 4d
Sat 4:05?PM
Tom do you have any articles or written instruction on playing Filipino Mahjong on your website? I looked but there’s only about a gazillion articles and I couldn’t see a search ?? feature.
If you reply, Barbara W R will also be able to call you and see info like your Active Status and when you've read messages.
Block Delete

Hi, Barbara!
There is a search feature: Google.
A Google search for "filipino mahjong sloperama" turns up these mentions of Filipino mah-jongg on my site,with these four right at the top of the search results:
https://www.sloperama.com/mjfaq/mjfaq11b.html
https://sloperama.com/mjfaq/tree.htm
https://www.sloperama.com/mjfaq/mjfaq01.html
https://www.sloperama.com/mjfaq/mjfaq02b.html
Those first two are brief mentions, the third one has a little more info, but that fourth one contains all the information I have on my site about how to play Filipino mah-jongg.
The search feature works! (^_^)
囧 I'm sorry that it took me 4 days to find your message, but I don't use Facebook as my main communication method with the world. I'm old-fashioned, and I'm not going to change: email is my main communication method. When I first joined Facebook in 2007, I friended just about everyone who requested a friend connection. As a result, I have hundreds of Facebook friends (Facebook won't tell me how many exactly, no matter how hard I try*), and I don't actually know 25% of them. So I don't accept any new friend requests or message requests from people I don't know. Long story short: I'm sorry that I will not reply on Facebook. I hope this long explanation clarifies why. I hope you come here and find this reply.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 25, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

* Found it. 484 friends (right at the top, under my name and next to my profile picture. Duh! - Tom

What are these mystery tiles?

On Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 05:00:38 PM EDT, Kaia L wrote:
Subject: Q&A Question/Set Identification
Hello,
Thank you so much for providing this Q&A Bulletin Board service. I was hoping that you might be able to identify this set that I purchased for playing Filipino Mahjong. I believe that it is the full set, as it fills the fabric covered cardboard box it was stored in pretty perfectly, but I noticed it includes none of the conventional seasons or flowers.
I was able to identify 4 of the tiles typically used in Singapore Mahjong, but the inclusion of the 4 ladies and lack of seasons/flowers perplexes me. Are there other variants that I would be able to play with this set?
Thank you very much for reading this email,
Kaia L

Together with your suits, winds, and dragons, you have 8 flowers, 4 jokers, and 4 blank tiles, for a total of 152 tiles. You can play any variant except Japanese or Vietnamese. If your 4 jokers and 4 blanks were stickered into American-style jokers, you'd have a set capable of playing American mah-jongg. Of course Filipino mah-jongg can be played with the set, no problem.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 24, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

What is the rationale, part 2

On Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 11:00:35 AM EDT, Marilyn P wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Thank you for answering and posting. Apparently my original email question (July 23) was not clear regarding noticing, mid-game, a player had three too many tiles. We had 4 players. Everyone had the proper number of tiles when we started the game. Somehow, a player picked up some extra tiles, maybe when pushing out a wall. Maybe some tiles fell when pushing out a wall, which she attempted to straighten without noticing she had mistakenly placed some on her rack….we have no idea.
However, we thought it made more sense to: completely stop the game, everyone throw in their tiles, and start a new game made rather than simply calling the erring player’s hand dead with the three of us finishing the game. We felt this way because, her hand contained jokers, and as the error was caught before she exposed anything, we remaining three players lost the possibility of exchanging for any of her jokers.
Wasn’t the end of the world. Timing and luck.

Okay, Marilyn. My guess about it being a 3-player game was incorrect.
I fully understood your reasoning for stopping the game rather than calling the player's hand dead. But my previous counterargument missed the overall point (you weren't continuing to play). In your group's thinking, then, the game was effectively ruined. I don't agree, but your group can do whatever you want.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 2, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

What is the rationale behind this rule?

On Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 05:11:27 PM EDT, Marilyn P wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Three of us started the game with 13 tiles and one with 14 tiles. It was noticed midway during the game that one player had 16 tiles. Her hand was called dead and 3 of us continued to the end. Still, we felt the tiles should have been thrown in and the game ended immediately because the erring player (1) had such an advantage at the beginning; and, (2) had the game progressed, some of her jokers may have been exposed, becoming available for exchange by other players. Why do the NMJL rules favor calling a hand dead rather than throwing in all tiles and starting over?

Hi, Marilyn! I was not present at the NMJL rules committee's discussion when that rule was created, so I cannot tell you the reasoning behind their decision for that rule. Actually, that rule probably goes all the way back to the original Chinese rules.

(1) You seem to be assuming that the player's extra 3 tiles were the result of some sort of Charleston error. So if it was a 3-player game, you must be using your own custom 3-player Charleston table rule. I suppose the error could have happened then, but that isn't necessarily the only possible way to wind up with too many tiles.

(2) Yes, I suppose it could be possible she could have been holding a handful of jokers. But is that really a good reason for allowing an obviously dead player to continue playing? Because she might have a whole bunch of jokers that she might expose, so others might be able to redeem? Couldn't such reasoning then be extended to any dead player for any reason? They have to keep playing without a chance of winning just because they might expose some jokers? That's an untenable rule. If I knew I was dead, I certainly wouldn't call any discards and expose any jokers, because what I would want is a wall game. That way I wouldn't have to pay a winner. I would discard prudently and not make any exposures at all, once I knew I was dead. I certainly wouldn't knowingly expose my jokers for the possible benefit of my opponents!

Although I can't justify the existence of each and every rule, it seems to me that the rule that says "a player who is holding too many tiles (especially three too many) is dead" is not an unreasonable rule.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 24, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Any like numbers #3 defense, complicated by blanks

On Monday, July 22, 2024 at 09:20:16 PM EDT, Rebecca M wrote:
Subject: Any like numbers #3 defense
Hi!
I’m running into trouble with any like numbers #3 defense. This is the favorite hand in our group due to playing with blanks. I’ve started just keeping all winds unless I’m forced to pass and trying quint #2 or 2024 hands concealed hands or winds each time I have winds in the Charleston. Any ideas besides stopping blanks (I’m trying!)?
Rebecca

囧 Gosh, Rebecca, I only know the official NMJL rules. "Blanks" are a viral new feature some players use. There are no official "blanks" rules, so every table probably has their own table rule for how blanks are to be used. For me to be able to advise you on your strategy, you'd have to explain all your "blanks" rules to me. Also, I don't know what "stopping blanks" means! Does it mean NOT using a blanks rule at all, or some sort of play where a player can stop someone's use of a blank? Also, is your problem defending when you're making Any Like #3? (That would actually not be defense but rather offense.) Or when an opponent is making it? (That would be defense.)
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 22, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

I noticed I have too many tiles, part 2

On Sunday, July 21, 2024 at 07:30:05 PM EDT, Jody P wrote:
Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Thanks for the quick response. I had a great hand when this happened. We were playing Chinese mah Jong. I had red dragon kongs and wind of the round kongs and all one suit for three doubles if I could have called mah Jong. But, I called my hand dead in all the excitement so I didn’t finish playing let alone call MJ. That’s painful.
My fellow players said I should have just quietly discarded the extra tile but I knew that didn’t sound right. Thanks!
Sent from my iPhone

Heh. That would be cheating, technically. And since you're playing Chinese rather than American, the proper expression when kvetching is ayah! rather than oy vey!
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 21, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

I noticed I have too many tiles

On Sunday, July 21, 2024 at 05:34:51 PM EDT, Jody P wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is: I noticed I have too many tiles but no one has called my hand dead. I know I shouldn’t call my own hand dead so can I discard two tiles at my next turn to make the number correct?

No, Jody, you can't do that. You should resign yourself to not winning this hand, without letting your body language or expressions give anything away to the other players. Play cagey, and try not to discard anyone's hot tiles. Hope for a wall game. When the post-game kvetching begins, you can join in, "I had too many tiles but none of you called me dead, so..." then sigh for effect while gesturing with your palms up. That's some good post-game kvetching.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 21, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Is racking a tile required?

On Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 10:49:30 AM EDT, Christopher D <marilynd... wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is: in 2024 rules is racking a tile required?
D

Hi, Marilyn!
No. It isn't required. See FAQ 19-BL.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 17, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Two players went dead with erroneous mahj in a three-player game, part 2

On Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 12:46:33 AM EDT, Debbie Barnett wrote:
Subject: Mah Jongg in Error
Hello Tom, hope you are well and enjoying life! I was reading the question from Ruth S. and your response and would like you to take a second look please. The back of the card, #3 states, if there are 3 dead hands that do not result in MJ in Error, the surviving player throws in their hand and no one gets paid. But as we know the back of the card is so limited in spacing for any sort of detail.
The scenario Ruth gave states 2 players had Mah Jongg in Error so I think that the 2nd erring player pays the last standing player double the value of the hand the remaining player was attempting to make. MJME, page 22, 5(b) 
I made this nifty chart that I include in my Mahjpedia App to help with these scenarios as they do get confusing. 

Mah Jongg in Error and Dead Hand Scenarios:
[Table omitted]

Let me know after you revisit the question. Thanks always for your valued feedback! 
Kind Regards,
Debbie Barnett

Hi, Debbie!
Your table/chart was much too much work to try to convert to HTML; after spinning wheels trying (at least 20 minutes, maybe half an hour), I simply gave it up. Way too much work, and I have a lot going on today. You're saying that your scenario 3 applies to Ruth's situation.
Scenario 3
Player A declares Mah Jongg in error.
Player B throws in hand or declares Mah Jongg in error.
C and D continue to play.
Player C's hand goes dead.
I agree that this matches Ruth's situation better than your scenario 6, which is what I applied to Ruth's situation yesterday.
Scenario 6
3 Dead hands that did not result from any Mah Jongg.
So yes, I doff my hat to you, o Mahjongg Teacher. The penalty, per MJME2023 p.22, 5(b), is: the second erroneous declarer pays double the value of the hand she was trying to make to the surviving player. I'll let Ruth know.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 17, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

How do we reconcile our rules, part 2

On Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 09:01:09 PM EDT, Ilene F wrote:
Subject: Re: Table Rule question
TY

YW!

How do we reconcile our rules?

On Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 08:23:32 PM EDT, Ilene F wrote:
Subject: Table Rule question
I am looking for your opinion on a scenario that happened today. We play NMJL Rules but also have a table rule about throwing to a third exposure. If you decide to chance it and the player Mahj’s, you pay of 4th table. BUT, what if the player who threw the tile is PIE.I have always played (even thought the scenario is rare) that the person must go in their actual purse to pay. Why should the player lose out from any payment for their win? What is your thoughts. Thank you in advance.
~ilene

Hi, ilene!
If you have a pay-for-the-party rule and a pie rule, and somebody goes pie, that player can throw caution to the wind and throw winning tiles willy-nilly without having to pay. If you make that player pay more than pie, doesn't that invalidate the entire concept of pie altogether? I don't think these are compatible rules. If you have a pie rule, there shouldn't be any requirement for a player to pay more than what's in the pie, in any circumstance. If you have a pay-for-the-party rule, then there shouldn't be a pie rule.
Those are my thoughts. But your group should figure this out for itself. Reconciling your group's rules is your group's responsibility; all players must agree - see the Table Rules Rules.
May the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 17, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Two players went dead with erroneous mahj in a three-player game...

On Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 02:10:02 AM EDT, Ruth S wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
Sent from my iPhone. There were three of us playing. Player number one called Mahjong and exposed hand and realized it was closed hand and said she was dead. Other two players continued then second player called Mahjong and exposed and one player said it’s a closed hand and she was dead. My question is what happens with other player. Does she get paid as she was still alive in the game? Thanking you in advance for your assistance.

Hi, Ruth! I'm afraid I need more information.

RS: Player number one called Mahjong and exposed hand and realized it was closed hand...
TS: Did she have one or more exposures atop her rack before calling mahj and exposing the rest of her tiles? That information was not part of what you've told me.

RS: and said she was dead.
TS: One is not supposed to call one's own hand dead.

RS: ... second player called Mahjong and exposed and one player said it’s a closed hand and she was dead.
TS: Did she have one or more exposures atop her rack before calling mahj and exposing the rest of her tiles? That information was not part of what you've told me. A player must reveal their tiles in order to claim a win. The Concealed/Exposed aspect of a hand depends on prior exposures.

RS: ...what happens with other player. Does she get paid...
TS: The rule about two players going dead in a three-player game is covered by the rule about three players going dead in a four-player game. See FAQ 19-BW. Your two players went dead by their own errors, and nobody compounded the errors by ruining the game (throwing in their tiles or destroying the wall), so the surviving player is not owed anything. The game is simply over. The dice move to the next East to start the next game.
The rule is stated on the back of the card ("Mah Jongg in Error" rule #3) but I think it's stated confusingly. Two players declared mahj in error, not resulting in cascading errors. The surviving player gets paid only if another player compounds an erroneous mahj by throwing in their own hand or destroying the remaining wall.

Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 16, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"

Are players required to expose their hand after a game?

On Sunday, July 14, 2024 at 06:14:14 PM EDT, Linda P wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is: Are players required to expose their hand after someone declares Mahjongg? I usually play on-line and sometimes I expose my hand at the end but sometimes I forget to do so and move on to the next game. - is it a personal choice to expose hand ? Thank you
Sent from my iPad

Hi, Linda! No, there's no official rule saying one must share in the post-game kvetch session that often follows a game. That's what I call it, anyway: good old-fashioned complaining. Some people like to share their sad struggle and point fingers at those holding "their" tile(s). Some people ask others, "who had my 5-craks?" I might show and tell when I'd been in an ironic or unusual situation, and I'll respond if someone asks me if I had "their" tile(s). On the other hand, a lot of the time, players will just throw in their tiles without comment (perhaps keeping their strategies to themselves). If you find yourself at a table where everyone else always shows their tiles, I suppose they might see you as not a fun player, if you don't show yours too. But there's no rule.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 14, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Is it like checkers? Can they pick it back up?

On Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 08:01:45 PM EDT, Patricia P wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is: A player places a discard on the table and calls it, but doesn’t take their hand off of the tile. Can they then pick it back up? Someone asked me that today and I assumed it was like checkers and they could pick it back up. I was told it was not checkers and they wanted to know the rule. Thank you.
Sent from my iPad

On Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 08:02:23 PM EDT, service@paypal wrote:
Subject: Reference: MJ@Sloperama Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers - Donation from Patricia P
Hello Thomas Sloper,
Donation Received
This email confirms that you have received a donation of $10.00 USD from Patricia Pickens
You can view the transaction details online.
Donation Details
Total amount: $10.00 USD
Currency: U.S. Dollars
Quantity: 1
Purpose: Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers
Contributor: Patricia P
PayPal

Thank you for the donation, Patricia!
A discard is "DOWN" when it either touches the table or is completely named (whichever occurs first). I've played with people who keep their hand on the discard after placing it and/or naming it; I always tell them, "you might as well let go of it, because it's down now and you can't take it back." Meanwhile they're holding up the game by keeping their hand in the middle of the table. If they don't let go, I say, "please let go. It's down." See FAQs 19a and 19b.
TBH, I don't know if backsies is part of checkers rules or not.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 10, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Can she pung and meld a kong on the same turn, part 3

On Friday, July 5, 2024 at 10:21:28 PM EDT, Stan H wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Hi Tom. Thanks for responding to my question. I do know know how to determine variant I’m playing. Can you help define?
What happened today was my sister pong the 3 round tile that was discarded. She then proceeded to play take a 2 round tile from within her hand to add to a set of 2 rounds that was exposed from an earlier pong—and drew an extra tile from the wall. I explained that this was two distinct actions that would not be allowed. She should revealed her fourth 2 round for gong when it was her turn to draw from the wall. Is this correct? Thanks again and I would be happy to determine variant that we play. Stan
Sent from my iPhone

Yes, Stan. You told your sister what I told you. Millington says a player may not pung and kong in the same turn.
I wrote FAQ 2 to help people identify what kind of mah-jongg they play. See FAQ 2b. It asks a few questions to help determine your variant. Then if that doesn't help, FAQ 2c describes the known variants. You ought to be able to get some clues there. Also, do you use a book, and if so, what is its title and who is the author?
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 6, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Can I pung and meld a kong on the same turn, part 2

On Friday, July 5, 2024 at 08:20:30 PM EDT, Stan H wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jong question or comment is: clarification of previous question—can you pong to make a set of “three rounds” and in the same turn place a fourth “2 rounds” to a set of 2 rounds from an earlier pong to then draw extra tile from wall?
Sent from my iPhone

I see, Stan. You're not asking about melding a concealed kong but rather promoting a pung to a kong. Let's walk it through:
1. You start your turn by calling a discard to expose a pung.
2. Now you want to promote another exposed pung to a kong. Let's see FAQ 20d again: "When you have an exposed pung and you pick the fourth tile from the wall, you have the option of promoting your exposed pung to an exposed kong." But that's not what you're doing (you haven't picked; you called a discard). What must have happened is that you either had that fourth tile already in your hand and only exposed a pung at first, or you obtained that fourth tile after making the pung but didn't add it to the exposure at that time.
I had to check A. D. Millington's definitive work, "The Complete Book of Mah-Jongg." His book documents the classical Chinese rules from which other variants have descended. So this rule, Rule 51 on page 38, probably also applies in your variant (I'd still love to know which variant you play).
The answer to your question is:
No, you are not allowed to promote a pung after first exposing a pung. You will have to wait and do it after beginning your turn by picking from the wall. That is permitted. I suppose I should modify FAQ 20d!
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 5, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

How can I find out how old it is? (Part 3)

On Friday, July 5, 2024 at 07:39:55 PM EDT, Elizabeth Abram wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q A
Can we connect on WhatsApp?
Kindest regards
Liz

Sorry, Liz. I do email and worldwide web only. That's a requirement for the mah-jongg information I give here. If you can't see the checklist in FAQ 7g and/or otherwise can't send me the checklist and photos by email, then I can't help you. You might try asking around in some mah-jongg groups on Facebook.
Good luck!
Tom

Can I pung and meld a kong on the same turn?

On Friday, July 5, 2024 at 06:50:48 PM EDT, Stan H wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is: if a player pong ( make triplet) then reveal a Kong (quads) in same turn before discarding, is that player allowed to draw extra card from wall?
Sent from my iPhone

On Friday, July 5, 2024 at 06:53:35 PM EDT, Stan H wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is: is a player allowed to pong and reveal Kong in same turn; and receive extra card from wall
Sent from my iPhone

On Friday, July 5, 2024 at 07:03:42 PM EDT, Stan H wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is: can inside quads be revealed anytime even if out of turn?
Sent from my iPhone

Hi, Stan! Sounds like you play an Asian or British/Australian variant, in which kongs are regarded as "glorified pungs" thus net the player an extra tile.
As explained in FAQ 20d, you can meld (lay down) an entirely concealed kong and then take a replacement tile. The only reason to meld a Concealed Kong is to get the replacement tile (because without doing so, the tile count of the hand is messed up and you can't declare mah-jongg).
The only time you can meld a Concealed Kong is during your turn. There are two ways to start your turn: by picking from the wall or by calling a discarded tile. So, yes, you can claim a discard for pung and then meld a Concealed Kong and take a replacement tile before discarding (all in the same turn). Just curious: do you know which variant you play? Chinese Official? Hong Kong? Japanese riichi? British/Australian? Wright-Patterson? (There are many more.)
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 5, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

How can I find out how old it is? (Part 2)

On Friday, July 5, 2024 at 06:25:01 PM EDT, Elizabeth A wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q A
I am confused, what should i send you? There is no inscriptions on this, no details of anything. Sending paypal contribution thank you.
Kindest regards
Liz

Liz, the the 'How Old Is It?' FAQ Set-Age Determination List asks things like:
1. Write a factual detailed list of all the contents of your set. Describe all the contents, listing all dice, chips, racks, etc. If you do not know what to call the pieces, see our FAQ 7d. (That's a clickable link in the FAQ.)
2. If the set contains any paper materials, like an instruction booklet or scoring card, write the title, author's name (if any), and date (if any) of those materials.
3. What are the tiles made of? (See our FAQ 7c.)
4. Describe what you know about when the set was made or purchased, if you know. Describe the history of the set to the best of your knowledge. See our FAQ 11 before you make any unsupportable claims (such as "this set is over a hundred years old!" or "this set is from the Qing Dynasty!"); the knowledgeable collectors can see through claims that are ignorant of the actual history of the game.
5. What are the dimensions of the tiles? Use either inches or metric (one or the other, not both - doesn't matter which; just be precise). Height, width, depth. If the tiles are bone & bamboo, give thickness of the bone portion. (Same goes for ivory & bamboo tiles.)
6. How many tiles are there in the set? Your best bet is to lay out the tiles on a table in 4 rows of identical tiles (as is done in our FAQ 7a... And take a picture while you're at it. How many flowers, how many jokers, and are the basic 136 - suits, winds, dragons - all present?).
And the checklist goes on from there, talking about the photos I need, and so on.
It would be generous of you to send a donation, but why not wait until we see if I can help you or not.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 5, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

How can I find out how old it is?

On Friday, July 5, 2024 at 04:38:44 PM EDT, Elizabeth A wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
I have a set in a box with jaques on front. The instruction book talks about bamboo and ivory sticks. I cannot find any dates on case. This is untouched. How do i find out age etc?
Kindest regards
Liz

Hi, Liz! I can help you if you send me the information and pictures requested in the 'How Old Is It?' FAQ. The important part is the Set-Age Determination List. Send me the requested checklist, along with good pictures, and I'll go from there. (~_^)
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
July 5, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

I am in the market to purchase Pick Racks and through my search I came across your address.

On Monday, July 1, 2024 at 07:09:20 AM EDT, Daniel Forson <danielandsonscoltd@gmail.com> wrote:
To: Pick Racks Inquiry
Bcc:mj@sloperama
Greetings,
Hope you are fine. Well I am in the market to purchase Pick Racks and through my search I came across your address. Kindly let me know the models you have or a link to the ones you have in stock. Also want to know whether you consider credit card an option for payment? Write soon.
Best Regards,
Daniel Forson

Dear Daniel,
Thank you for your inquiry about our fine Pick Racks. We have a variety of types, for racking a wide assortment of picks, our most popular being Guitar, Ice, Tooth, Hand, Finger, Nose, Nut, and Nit. They come in attractive colors, too; just select using the color dropdown menu on the order page. In regards to your payment option query, we most certainly do accept most major credit cards, as well as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Doge, and other major cryptocurrencies. We also accept personal checks, traveler's checks, spotchecks, Monopoly money, Paypal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and most other payment apps. We have payment plans as well: you can gladly pay us Tuesday for a Pick Rack order today.
We look forward to receiving your order soon. Thank you for thinking of us for your Pick Rack needs.

Confusing "conflicting claim" rules, redux, part 2

On Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 01:09:27 PM EDT, Mary Ann M wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Thanks, Tom. —MaryAnn

You're welcome, Mary Ann.
Tom

Question about "wait/take," part 2

On Friday, June 28, 2024 at 03:40:22 PM EDT, service@paypal wrote:
Subject: Reference: MJ@Sloperama Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers - Donation from Story S E
Hello Thomas Sloper,
Donation Received
This email confirms that you have received a donation of $25.00 USD from Story S E
You can view the transaction details online.
Donation Details
Total amount: $25.00 USD
Currency: U.S. Dollars
Quantity: 1
Purpose: Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers
Contributor: Story S E
PayPal

Thank you very much, Story!
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom

Question about "wait/take"

On Friday, June 28, 2024 at 03:39:30 PM EDT, storyc... wrote:
Subject: call / hold question
Hi
After reading this flyer I saw on Facebook, I have a question about "wait/take" I am pretty sure that the last line on flyer means that if player A discards, then player C says wait, that if Player B - who is next in turn - calls for exposure or Mahj then Player B gets tile.
I am curious is there another scenario where one player says "wait" and then another player say "I want that" and the "I want that" player gets the tile.
If player B says "wait" can another player Call the tile while player B is thinking?
Or if Player B says "wait" at the same time Player C says "I want that"... does Player C get it because she verbalized a call?
I looked in Red Dragon West Wind and in Elaine Sandberg's beginner guide and I didn't see anything on Stop or Wait. Is it better to just say "I want that" and then change your mind rather than saying "Wait" and not taking it?
As always, thanks for your help!
Story

Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
June 28, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Confusing "conflicting claim" rules, redux

On Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 12:40:52 AM EDT, Mary Ann M wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
On the back of the 2024 card under the section “Claiming a Discard” question #5.
If two players want the same tile for Exposure -- Does the person who already has exposed a partial hand have
priority in getting the new discard, over the next sequential player after the discard who may not have any tiles exposed.
Can you please clarify this hand?
Similarly, in question #6 - If two players want the same tile for Mah Jongg — Will the player who has some tiles exposed
get priority to call the tile over the a player who has no tiles exposed if he needs it to declare mah jongg?

Hi, Mary Ann!
The unfortunate wording of those rules has caused this question to be asked by several people since the 2024 card came out. I've seen it asked and answered on Facebook, and I answered this question for Beth C on April 26, below.
Rules 5 and 6 do not involve prior exposures. Both rules are talking about actions that occur entirely during the conflicting-claims situation. Let me paint a picture for #6:

0. No exposures are atop anyone's racks.
1. Player A throws out a tile and says its name.
2. Player C realizes this is a tile she needs for mah-jongg.
3. Player C speaks: "Mah-jongg!"
4. Player C starts to expose tiles from her hand, moving them to the top of the rack. Or she takes the discard and puts it atop her rack. The point is, one or more tiles has moved to the top of a rack.
5. Player B looks up from her tiles and speaks: "Wait, I'm next in line, and that's MY mah-jongg!"
6. Player B is too late. Player C wins.

Same thing for #5. No prior exposures factor into the situation. The player who acts, putting tiles atop the rack, has priority over a player who speaks a claim after the action. The reason for the rule is so that a player who's paying attention, and acts, doesn't have the rug pulled out from under her when a daydreamer or indecisive player realizes after the move that the tile was one she needed too.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
June 27, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Column 810, part 2

On Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 07:01:32 PM EDT, DMA wrote:
Subject: Re: Column #810 Question 3
Many thanks! Good to know my suggestion makes sense.

I'd be very pleased if this could be clarified, part 2

On Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 10:00:54 PM EDT, service@paypal wrote:
Subject: Reference: MJ@Sloperama Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers - Donation from Brian M
Hello Thomas Sloper,
Donation Received
This email confirms that you have received a donation of $10.00 USD from Brian M
You can view the transaction details online.
Donation Details
Total amount: $10.00 USD
Currency: U.S. Dollars
Quantity: 1
Purpose: Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers
Contributor: Brian M
Message: "All hands without a red dot are "CONCEALED" hands. " Thanks very much Tom, explaining the above way makes it very clear, rather than "pungs may be exposed" which didn't mean much to me. Brian,
PayPal

I'm very pleased that my explanation helped, Brian! Thank you for the donation!
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
June 25, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Which player gets the tile for mah-jongg?

On Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 10:13:21 AM EDT, Thomas E H wrote:
Subject: "Hold" versus "Call"
Hello,
I have a question about a situation that came up during a recent American Mahjong game:
Player one discarded a tile. Player 3 (across the table) said, "Hold". Immediately after Player 3 said Hold, Player 2 said "Call". Discussion was held as to who should be able to claim the discard. Both players then disclosed they were needing the tile for "Mahj". Player 2 felt that since she was the next person in order of play, and had declared the tile for Mahj, that she should have been able to claim it. It was ultimately decided that since Player 3 had said "Hold" first, that she had first rights to the discard.
Who should have received the discard?
Thank you in advance for your response.
Helen

Hi, Helen!
It's not a race. The tile doesn't go to the player who speaks first. And this is not a question of one player saying "call" while another says "hold," either. Two players wanted the discard to make mah-jongg. That simplifies the conflict, because when two players call a discard for the same purpose, the tile goes to the player who's next in line from the discarder. Player 2 should have gotten the tile, and the win. See FAQ 19-H, the Conflicting Claims FAQ.
By the way, sorry it took so long to reply. Your email had gone to my spam folder for no good reason.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
June 25, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Column 810

On Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 10:20:51 AM EDT, <debaronstam wrote:
Subject: FW: Column #810 Question 3
Hi Tom
I know you usually reply to emails, and I just noticed Outlook inserted an invalid email address to the original email. See below.
Deborah

From: debaronstam
Sent: Saturday, June 22, 2024 8:20 PM
To: 'tomster@sloperama.co'
Subject: Column #810 Question 3
Hi Tom:
Keeping in mind your strategy to go for the high score, and this being only the first across pass with more passes to come, I would aim for Consecutive Run #8 and keep 3C. I would pass 9B, 2C and 5C. This would give me 7 tiles towards the hand: 3B 3B 3B 3C 4C 4C 5D. Even though CR#8 is concealed, I have two Jokers, and one of the two required tiles for the pair. I would also still have the tiles for either 2-3-4 or 3-4-5.
What do you think?
Best,
Deborah

That's some good thinking, Deborah!
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
June 2, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

I'd be very pleased if this could be clarified

On Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 02:05:02 AM EDT, Brian M wrote:
Subject: Red dots in Mah Jong Player's companion book Thompson and Moloney 1997.
Hi,
Page 4 in the above book which seems to be universally used as the standard, under Scoring there are red dots.
Two red dots "Denotes that Pungs may be exposed; see Synopsis, pp6-7 and
One red dot "Denotes that pungs may be exposed but the score is halved.
I have no idea what that means, we don't score.
I play in Australia and most players take the 'red dot' hands to mean that only those hands listed with a red dot in the body of the book may be 'punged' from a discard.
This means that players attempting Run,pung and a pair, Greta's Dragon, and many other hands with a pung in them, are unable to 'pung' the pung from a discard except of course to make Mah Jong.
I'd be very pleased if this could be clarified as it can be quite contentious.
Regards,
Brian M

Hi, Brian!
I don't know if expressing the red dot concept in other terms will clarify, but I'll give it a go.
All hands marked in the book with one or more red dots are "EXPOSED" hands. That means that a player is permitted to call a discard and make an exposure of part of the hand (a pung or kong) prior to declaring mah-jongg. All hands without a red dot are "CONCEALED" hands. That means that no exposures are permitted; the entire hand must be revealed all at once, either by self-pick or by discard.
Many of the no-dot hands are composed of singles and pairs, which cannot be exposed prior to declaration of mah-jongg anyway, but some of the no-dot hands (such as the two you mentioned, Run, Pung, and a Pair, and Greta's Dragon) are mostly singles and/or pairs but also contain one pung. Because the hand must be CONCEALED, it is not permitted to call a discard and expose the pung by itself; the entire hand must be revealed all at once.
The difference between one red dot and two red dots doesn't matter to your group if you don't score (and I don't blame you for not using that complicated score system), but essentially, hands marked with two dots are worth more if they are revealed all at once than won with an exposure.
I hope that helps!
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
June 25, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

What kind of set is this, part 2

On Monday, June 24, 2024 at 06:48:33 PM EDT, tsatterw wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Thank you! I read what you wrote but still unsure how to find cards to play or instructions to play
My goal was to learn to play with this set
I have more photos I didn’t include and all drawers were filled so I believe I have a full set

Hi again, tsatterw!
There are numerous mah-jongg variants. The only one that uses "cards" is American mah-jongg (NMJL rules). Since your goal is to learn to play with that set, you should get a book (or read some websites) that describe an "un-American" mah-jongg variant. The set was designed for Chinese Classical rules (which has the most difficult scoring system to learn), but can be used to play any "un-American" variant except Japanese or Vietnamese.
I wrote FAQ 2a to help novices choose which variant to learn. A lot depends on who you're going to play with. In the USA, you will have a hard time finding players to play "un-American" rules with you.
I wrote about the different variants in FAQ 2b. You need a variant that uses 144 tiles or fewer, since your set has only 146 tiles.
For information on books, see FAQ 3. For links to websites that describe rules for different variants, see FAQ 4b.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
June 24, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

What kind of set is this?

On Monday, June 24, 2024 at 05:46:03 PM EDT, <tsatterw wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
Can you help me understand what kind of mah Jong set is this? Photos attached
Family said it was Ivory and it was my grandmother’s maybe around 100 years old
I have all the pieces
I want to purchase the game cards but need to know what version it is first
Thanks

Hi, tsatterw!
No, those tiles are not ivory. They're bone and bamboo.
Yes, they are about 100 years old. It's a typical 1920s set, not suitable for playing American (NMJL) rules. You don't have enough tiles to play NMJL with that set.
You can learn more about ivory in the "is it ivory" FAQ.
You can learn more about 1920s sets in column 610.
You can learn more about the different types of mah-jongg sets in FAQ 7a.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
June 24, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

What do the letters mean on dragon tiles, part 2

On Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 09:27:35 AM EDT, STORY E wrote:
Subject: Tiles
Thanks for your response. I should have known there was a FAQ to answer my question.
Now to answer yours… I found this recommendation on the Mahjong That’s It website. Mr Stanley Kriss helps find and match tiles. I sent him a pix and he thought he could help. I mailed 2 of my blanks so he could match perfectly. He was able to find me the 4 additional blanks I needed.
Then I found cute little joker stickers on Etsy. I couldn’t decide between these 2 so I bought both. But I liked the red with my set.
I hope this info helps anyone who is searching. It is really fun to play with the old set. So I am grateful for the help I got!,
Thanks again Mr Sloper!
Story

You're welcome, and thanks for the info, Story!
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
Summer solstice - June 20, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

She called, made an incomplete exposure, then redeemed a joker (part 2)

On Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 10:39:39 PM EDT, service@paypal wrote:
Subject: rz... sent you money
Hello Thomas Sloper,
You were sent $20.00 USD from rz...
Transaction date
Jun 19, 2024 19:39:31 PDT
Buyer information
Roseanne Z
Instructions from buyer
None provided
Description Unit price Qty Amount
Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers
Item #: MJ@Sloperama $20.00 USD 1 $20.00 USD
Total: $20.00 USD
PayPal

Thank you, Roseanne! May the tiles be with you!
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
Juneteenth, 2024

She called, made an incomplete exposure, then redeemed a joker to complete the exposure. Is that legal?

On Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 06:05:31 PM EDT, Roseanne Z wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A - Joker Swap during a Pick Up of a Discarded Tile
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
Player 1 has one 2 Dot tile on her rack but needs three for the hand she’s playing. Player 2 discards a 2 Dot and player 1 calls that discard, makes an exposure with the 2 Dot she has and the 2 Dot she called, but then does a Joker swap to add the Joker to the other two tiles in her exposure to make three.
Is that legal?
Did she call a discard to make and expose a pair because she should expose right after she calls, and then in another move during her turn does a Joker swap to make her three 2 Dots, or can she do whatever she wants in any order during her turn from pickup to discard?
I did look through the FAQs but couldn’t find anything that seemed to talk about this incident.
Thanks for you answer and your support of this very helpful website.
Roseanne Z

It's not legal, Roseanne. See "When can I redeem a joker? What's the procedure?" (FAQ 19-M). Before one can redeem a joker, a player must either pick from the wall OR take a discard for exposure and make a COMPLETE exposure. Your Player 1 made an INcomplete exposure before making the swap. Not a legal play at all.

The American frequently asked questions are answered in FAQ 19, and this is a Jokers question.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
Juneteenth, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

What do the letters mean on dragon tiles?

On Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 11:23:43 AM EDT, STORY E wrote:
Subject: Tiles
Hi Mr Sloper
Earlier this year I sent you pix if an old set that was gifted to me. You thought it was 1930s.
I was able to get four additional blanks and joker stickers to make it playable!
One of my students asked me yesterday why the dragons had letters on them. I had not given it much thought ( since it really didn’t matter), but now I’m curious.
Can you explain?
Story

Story, that's great that you were able to get those extra tiles! Care to share details about how/where you got them?
I already explained the letters on dragon tiles, Po, Fa, and Chung, in the Mystery Tiles FAQ.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
Juneteenth, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Errata error, part 2

On Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 10:00:49 AM EDT, Amy M wrote:
Subject: Re: New RD&WW errata dated 5/24/24
Thank you!

Errata error

On Monday, June 17, 2024 at 11:40:13 AM EDT, Amy M wrote:
Subject: New RD&WW errata dated 5/24/24
Dear Tom,
I've been trying to open the updated errata to RD&WW dated 5/24/24 and here's the message I get on my screen:
404
Not Found
The resource requested could not be found on this server!
It doesn't seem to be working and I'm not sure if it's just my computer or internet service. I lend out copies of your book to people that I teach and like to put a copy of the most recent errata in each copy. BTW, many of these people buy their own copy of your book too.
Amy M
Virus-free.www.avast.com

Thanks for calling my attention to that, Amy! I've fixed the problem and am sending you the errata by return email. And I'm so glad to hear that your students use my book!
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
June 17, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Two mah-jongg questions

On Sunday, June 16, 2024 at 01:18:59 PM EDT, joanne b wrote:
Subject: Fwd: 2 Mah jongg ??
---------- Original Message ----------
From: joanne b
To:
Date: 06/16/2024 1:13 PM EDT
Subject: 2 Mah jongg ??
Amber, I have 2 questions re: MJ rules.
1. When calling for a discarded tile, is it imparitive to say the word "call", or can I say "take" or "wait", or just indicate by raising my hand as a possible take?
2. When only 3 people are playing a round of MJ, what is the proper tile setup? For > 20 years, I've used the 7 rows of 3 tiles as the fourth (missing)person. Six of those rows are used for 2 rounds of sequestional order, and the remaining row of 3 tiles is left for a remaining courtesy with the player across from those tiles. Is this correct?
I would appreciate your response, as you've answered other questions I've sent to you. Thanking you in advance, JoAnne B

Hi, JoAnne! Thanks for numbering your questions. Makes it easier for me!
1. It's okay to use any reasonable words that declare your interest in the discard.
2. The expected setup is the same as a 4-player table: 4 walls of 19 stacks each. But your question seems to be about the Charleston? Not the deal?

See my conversation with Arlene T on May 25, below - it sounds like your 3-player Charleston process works like hers. My conversation with Arlene is in two parts - part 2 is above part 1 since these posts are in reverse chronological order (so the newest one is always on top).
● Column 532 describes some other non-traditional 3-player Charlestons.
● FAQ 13a describes the official 3-player process.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
June 16, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Can I sell all my 100+ mah-jongg sets at once or do I have to sell them piecemeal?

On Friday, June 14, 2024 at 12:09:34 PM EDT, Henry I wrote:
Subject: mah jongg
Good morning,
You may not be the appropriate person to contact, but I just found your website, so here goes.
My wife and I have been collecting mah jongg sets and paraphernalia for over 50 years. We are currently in out late 70's, and have accumulated more than 100 sets. My college training was in music, theater, and art, and I have been a practicing architect for 50+ years. We don't like the American game, and find the old game difficult to score, so we could be described as non-players. We buy sets based on uniqueness and tile graphics. We have sets of all types of tile materials, and all types of case materials. I prefer bone and bamboo, my wife likes bakelite. We have only one bakelite enrobed set.
We are at the age that our children are telling us that they don't want our stuff, and suggest (politely) that we divest ourselves of our collected possessions ( which, besides mah jongg sets, include vehicles, depression glass, games, musical instruments, etc.).
Simply, I guess my question is this: are there collectors that might be interested in all of the mah jongg sets and paraphernalia we have, or do we try and sell the items piecemeal?
Thank you for your time and patience, and I will totally understand if you choose not to respond.
Henry

Hi, Henry. I have the same problem. I was able to donate a few of my sets to the Strong National Museum of Play, but they only took the best and most unique sets. I'm still left with dozens of sets. And I will have the same problem with my comic book collection and my vinyl records collection when I'm ready to part with them.
I expect you best bet is to contact Johni Levene. She's a mah-jongg collector and seller in Los Angeles, and she has 2 Facebook groups, "Mah Jongg, That's It!" and "Mah Jongg Collectors Association." The collectors group is private and hidden, but her other group is public. She's probably the best person to help you with your mah-jongg stuff. Please do not ask me to introduce you or give you contact information. I've given you all the help I can.
Good luck!
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
June 14, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

1954 NMJL rules

On Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 02:15:59 PM EDT, sharona626 wrote:
Subject: 1954 MJ rules
Hello,
I was fortunate to purchase a1954 MJ card to surprise one of our ladies turning 70. We would like to play the card on our next meet up. According to the card you need 24 flowers in the set and each player is given 2 flowers to start with. Do you know if jokers are used? If so, how many? If no jokers, how does one obtain say six #2's and eight #8's on the first line?
I believe I will have to combine 2 MJ sets especially in regard to the flower tiles.
I have attached the 1954 card, any information on rules would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Sharon K
Download all attachments as a zip file
1954 MH card from FB 1.pdf
501.6kB
1954 MH card from FB 2.pdf
488.5kB

Hi, Sharon!
1. There were no jokers in the deck in 1954. The 24 flowers were "wild" (they acted as jokers).
2. You may need more than two sets! Everybody had that problem back in 1954.
3. You should be able to find all the pertinent rules if you read the card thoroughly.
And these links may also be helpful in your quest:
● FAQ 19-S - When were jokers introduced? Was it always eight jokers?
● FAQ 19-AI - more about the days when there were lots of flowers;
● https://sloperama.com/mjfaq/mjfaq11h.html - by searching the page for "NMJL" you can find when rule changes appeared on the NMJL card...
● https://sloperama.com/majexchange/bulletinbd-archive56.htm#history - but I collected all that info for Judy H last summer so you don't need to scour FAQ 11h;
If you have questions about the 1954 rules that the card doesn't answer, you can just email them to me and I'll try to answer for you.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
June 13, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Did people used to start a game with two flowers on each rack?

On Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 11:25:24 AM EDT, JUDY H wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
I seem to remember a time when each player began each game with two flowers on their rack. I have been playing for 75 years so it was a long time ago. Am I correct?
Thank you.
PS If I give you a donation could you put it towards having a search function on the site? What would that cost?
Sent from my iPad

Yes, Judy. In the 1954 card, for instance, as Sharon K said above, there were 24 "wild" flowers in the deck, and every player started with 2 flowers in the hand.
As for your other question, I do not know how much it would cost to hire a web designer to create a search function on my site. This bit about starting with 2 flowers in the hand was never asked before, so that particular information would not have been found on my site. Most of the time you can just use Google to find information on my site. Whatever information you're trying to find, Google can probably find it just as well as a site-specific search function. Last year when you wrote me about this (https://sloperama.com/majexchange/bulletinbd-archive56.htm#history) I said it would cost money, but there's more to it than that. It would require me to take action myself, doing something I don't want to do (find web designers willing to help me, then coordinating with them to get the feature implemented) - I don't wanna go through all that trouble, when that's unlikely to work any better than Google anyway.
Anytime you want to find something on my site and you can't find it using the navigation aids I've made, and Google doesn't help you, just email me your question. Okay?
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
June 13, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Column #809, part 2

On Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 10:06:53 AM EDT, Donna L wrote:
Subject: Re: Column 809 Q# 1
Sorry. I didn’t have my morning [coffee emoji] yet.
Donna
Sent from my iPad

[laughter emoji]
Tom

Column #809

On Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 08:01:42 AM EDT, Donna L wrote:
Subject: Column 809 Q# 1
2024 Hand Winds-Dragons #6 has 2 Dragon Kongs.
Sent from my iPad

囧 Yes, it does, Donna. But quandary #1 in column #809 shows kongs of 1B and 4B, so I don't follow. What am I missing?
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
June 13, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Why wouldn't the computer let me win, part 2

On Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 09:56:21 AM EDT, Helene H wrote:
Subject: Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
Thank you so much for the quick reply! I thought the rules said 2024 was the only grouping where you couldn’t use a joker. From what I read, you can exchange a joker when playing a concealed hand. So I thought why get a joker if you can’t use it? I never tried a concealed hand before. Thanks for letting me know before I tried it when playing with others.
Helene
Sent from my iPad

You're welcome, Helene. I don't know what you read that misled you. Before you try playing with others, you might want to read more joker rules besides the ones on the back of the card.

Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
Cinco de Juno, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Why wouldn't the computer let me win?

On Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 07:32:02 PM EDT, Helene H wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is: why couldn’t I pick up the seven Bam to go MahJongg?
Sent from my iPad

Play safe out there! And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
June 4, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

The 2024 NMJL card, part 10

On Monday, June 3, 2024 at 11:03:47 PM EDT, Ann K wrote:
Subject: question about one of the 2024 consecutive run mahjongg hands
Hello,
Under the 6th hand under consecutive run, can i have fffff 456 333 333 (any 3 suits). In other words, do the pungs have to be in ascending order or do they just have to be consecutive numbers?
I've just learned ...
thank you, Ann

Hi, Ann! The pungs have to be in consecutive order, as shown on the card. For your future reference, FAQ 16 answers the most frequently-asked questions about the 2024 NMJL card.

Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
June 4, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

When can I redeem a joker? What's the procedure?

On Monday, June 3, 2024 at 07:03:46 PM EDT, Jane S wrote:
Subject: Mahjongg question
When exchanging a tile for a joker can one also pick up a discarded tile from table. Or because one is to announce exchanging a joker and then draw before exchanging that is the only play that can be made.
I would appreciate an explanation. Thanks.
Sent from my iPad

Hi, Jane!
Here's the procedure one MUST follow:
1. To begin your turn, you can either pick from the wall OR call the current live discard and make a complete exposure from it.
2. Then (while holding 14 tiles in your hand, counting your concealed and exposed tiles if any) you may redeem a joker. You may redeem up to 8 jokers, from any and all racks.
3. If you don't have mah-jongg, you must discard (unless someone calls you dead and you agree that your hand is dead).
The joker redemption procedure is explained in full in FAQ 19-M.

Is there a rule against this?

On Friday, May 31, 2024 at 01:59:22 PM EDT, CAROL N wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
A player hovers over the tiles, at her turn , she picks a tile , names it and turns it over
Very quickly. Thus shortening the time another player may want to call the previous tile thrown. Is this legal ? Must she “ rack it” each time?
Please advise. Thank you
Sent from my iPad

Hi Carol, sorry it took me so long to reply, but I just found your email in my spam folder today.
There is no rule that a picked tile must be racked. There is no "rule" against aggressive play, either, but the League does not support "poor sportsmanship" such as the inconsiderate behavior you describe.
I seem to recall seeing something in an old NMJL newsletter/bulletin saying that a player should keep their hands on their side of the table until it's time to reach for the wall. "Hovering" over the wall is highly aggressive and unfriendly. She probably just wants the game to move quickly, and wishes you all acted the same way she does.
Have you talked about this with your group? Do the other 2 players also object to her discourteous ungracious bad manners? If they don't mind her ill behavior, then you're just going to have to deal with it.
I recently read something on Facebook about a player who got her hand slapped when she reached towards something she shouldn't, or reached too soon, or something. According to that story, the one whose hand was slapped changed her behavior.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
June 1, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Scoring information change

On Friday, May 31, 2024 at 04:34:15 PM EDT, <deba... wrote:
FAQ 19 W1: How does Payment Work?
Hi Tom:
I was reviewing your “FAQ 19 American Mah Jongg FAQs” and noticed that you still have the following sentence regarding payment: Complete scoring information is on the back of the card (the National Mah Jongg League card).
I wish it was! I am wondering if you should remove that sentence in case some poor soul goes looking for it on this year’s card.
Best,
Deborah

Good catch, Deborah! I'll edit that. Thanks!
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
May 31, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Donation

On Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 12:27:45 PM EDT, service@paypal wrote:
Reference: MJ@Sloperama Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers - Donation from Elizabeth P
Hello Thomas Sloper,
Donation Received
This email confirms that you have received a donation of $25.00 USD from Elizabeth P
Donation Details
Total amount: $25.00 USD
Currency: U.S. Dollars
Purpose: Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers
Contributor: Elizabeth P
Message: Thanks for all the info. Love your book and great sense of humor.
PayPal

Thank you very much, Elizabeth!
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
May 29, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Looking for your opinion of my set's "sellingness"

On Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 01:30:17 AM EDT, david r wrote:
Subject: Mah Jongg set query
Hello Tom,
Thanks for all the great information you post on the world of Mah Jongg. I have been doing some research to find info on an old set found amongst my late father's estate. I remember seeing the set in it's wooden box as a child during the 60's but since then it has been tucked away in the bottom of a large metal trunk until my father's death about 4 years ago.
I wonder if you could confirm what the tiles are made of, and what your opinion is of the set's overall condition. Not looking for a valuation as such, but more of a gauge to this set's "sellingness", as I will list it for sale in the near future.
I believe the set was either purchased or given to my parents as a wedding present mid 1950's - early 1960's when they had a short stint living in Fiji, and would have played the game often then, but once returning to Australia in the late 60's I believe they hardly ever played.
I am assuming the tiles are Bakelite - they smell of chemical when hot water is poured over and the edges are more 'sharp' then rounded - and in the 60's I am sure i saw the tiles and they were more of a light butterscotch colour and the characters were coloured, now they are a solid tan/caramel colour and the characters are greyish. I am assuming its a result of oxidation? What is your opinion? I must say that I have yet to set a set on the internet that has tiles as dark as this set.
Almost all the tiles I consider are good condition, being unblemished, even throughout in colour without marks, cracks or chips, except for some light scratching only seen when zoomed-in on a photo, and, the loss of colour (presumed) of the characters. There are about 5 tiles that have a "line" through them - if it were not for the fact it cannot be felt, the line might appear to be a crack, but these tile are solid as. The tiles are European numbered - on 5 or 6 tiles the numbers have faded altogether. Size of tiles is 29mm x 21mm x 9mm (give or take 1 mm).
There are 148 tiles that is: 36 Dots, 36 Bams, 36 Craks, 16 Winds, 12 Dragons, 8 Flowers and 4 Blanks.
There are 126 Chips all is good condition: consisting of 80 coloured 25mm (with 2, 4, 8 and 16 dots), and 46 brown 18mm chips plain (except for 4 having been penned with E, W, N or S). Dice are a pair of 10mm.
The container they all come in is a nice plain old wooden lockable box with brass hinges and what looks like stainless steel handle, the key is included. There are a few scratches, but very good for its age and quite solid. The Tiles are housed within 4 compartment boxes, slightly too large for the tiles.
I think I have used the correct terminology in this description and have included photos, so hopefully you have all the info to qualify this old set.
Thanking you in advance,
David

G'day, David. I've never seen tiles this color before, and I'm not sure how good an authority I can be in this case. 囧
You did a great job with your photos. Thank you for that. The only thing missing is pictures of the exterior of the case, and what the set looks like when you open the case. Be sure to photograph those for your sales pitch.
Material - yes, I am pretty sure your tiles are Bakelite or Catalin (both are essentially the same chemicals; most Bakelite tiles are actually Catalin; maybe yours are actually Bakelite, not Catalin, but most people call Catalin tiles Bakelite anyway). They are an odd rusty orange color, which contrasts poorly with the faded paint. I hope you didn't damage the tiles by pouring hot water on them. I don't recommend repeating that test. You say the tiles used to be yellow (which is the normal color of those "applejuice" tiles). But it's odd that some of the tiles are painted with white details, which would have been done if the tiles were dark to begin with.
The "cracks" you see in the plastic are caused by mixing (and not stirring) transparent and opaque plastic liquids together during the manufacturing process. Irene G sent me a couple photos of her applejuice Bakelite tiles on March 22, 2024, below (you can Search this page for "applejuice" or scroll down). And there is another email from someone asking about "olive oil" colored applejuice tiles in the Plastics FAQ.
Your tiles are thinner than usual; Bakelite tiles are normally 11 to 13mm thick. See dimensions of different tile types in the Tile Types FAQ. It looks like the case was designed for somewhat larger tiles.
I've never seen circular chips marked with the dots patterns typically used on bone scoring sticks. They're indicative of an "evolutionary" link between earlier bone and bamboo tiles and later plastic tiles. The brown discs not matching the colored discs with dots indicates some "Frankensteining" (incorporating bits from other sets). Unfortunately, the colored chips are not evenly divisible by 4 (note that there are only 6 of the light-green chips), which reduces the "sellingness." I have to wonder if all the chips fit in the middle tray.

My assignment, you say, is an opinion of the set's "overall condition." That's an unusual and difficult assignment. The set is a quandary. Applejuice Bakelite tiles were normally sold in rectangular "trumpet" size cases including Bakelite racks (but maybe that's an American practice). The two types of chips, the tiny bone dice, and the mismatch between your tiles' size and the trays' size all indicate some mixing and matching. As you described the set to me, you used the condition terms "good" and "very good," but I have to assume you weren't using those terms the way those terms are used in evaluations or sales copy. When you write your sales blurb, you should take care to use standard condition nomenclature so as not to mislead potential buyers. Back to my assignment: I'd have to say that the set has some interest for collectors because of the unusual color of the tiles, but that its play value is diminished because the paint is faded. Possibly the paint discoloration is due to past cleaning attempts? It's hard to tell from photos what's going on in the nooks and crannies of your tiles. A purist might say you should not repaint the tiles, but I think they would be more pleasant for use in play if they were repainted. And I don't think the overall collection is all that "pure" anyway.
Last point: if you offer the set for sale in the USA, you need to make clear that because there are only 148 tiles, with extremely poor odds of ever finding more (to make jokers), the set is NOT useful for playing American-style mah-jongg, and never will be.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
May 29, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

In a 2-player game, each player with 2 racks...

On Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 09:26:30 PM EDT, Lior Z wrote:
Subject: Mah-Jongg Q+A
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
Hi, thanks for the guidance …
If I play against only one other player, and we each have two racks and tiles..
If we decide we can move tiles from each rack th=o the other in our control and “mix and match”
Can I call and ‘disclose’different hands on the same rack (to mislead opponent in what I might be going for)
Or am I obligated to put up each corresponding series on different rack on which it is being “built”
Sorry if my terminology isn’t correct.. literally started yesterday.. so hope this is clear enough..
I appreciate your time and help
Have an awesome day..

Hi, Lior! 囧 If you're making up your own 2-player game, you have to figure out the rules yourself (see FAQ 14). To me, moving tiles from one rack to another steps over a line... but for all I know, that's permitted in "Siamese" mah-jongg. If you're playing Siamese, then you should read the Siamese rules on mahjongg.org. Sorry that I can't be more helpful!
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
May 28, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Can I claim a discarded redeemable tile? (Somebody discarded it and I want to use it to redeem a joker)

On Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 10:50:50 AM EDT, Martin W wrote:
Re: Question.
If i have a pung containing say two three dots and one joker and a player discards a three dot, can it be picked up by another player to take the joker?
Thanks, Wilma W

No, Wilma. A discarded redeemable tile cannot be claimed for joker redemption. See FAQ 19-G.2.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
May 28, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Is there an advantage in only playing from one card, part 2

On Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 01:30:25 AM EDT, Martin Walsh wrote:
Re: Question.
Thanks for the answer.

You're welcome.

Is there an advantage in only playing from one card over and over again.

On Monday, May 27, 2024 at 11:14:45 PM EDT, Martin W wrote:
Subject: Question.
Is there an advantage in only playing from one card over and over again.
Thanks W. W

囧 Hi, W. You have to use the same card the other players at the table are using. It's customary in American mah-jongg to play the current NMJL card, as long as the majority of players at the table are not bored with it and looking to change things up. If you're playing against bots on a game app, you're free to set the game to whichever card you like best. And you can switch things up as often as you want to, for any reason whatsoever.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
May 27, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Are you still doing this, part 3

On Monday, May 27, 2024 at 10:43:20 PM EDT, Maureen g wrote:
Re: Analysis
Hi Tom:
You ask for an assignment. Here it is: In addition to your evaluation for value, can you possibly tell from these pictures what the set is made of, and, approximately how old it may be? Thanks, Tom.
Maureen
1--Contents: 5 racks, dice, an E, 152 tiles, plus case. There are no tiles missing. Nothing is chipped or cracked.
2--The case handle works but it has unraveled. There are no paper materials. The tiles are clean and attractive except for the jokers. They appear worn. There is a smell to the set as you would expect from something kept in a hot Florida attic for decades.
3--I presume they are made of bakelite. What do I know? You are the expert.
4--The set came from an 80 year-old woman whose mother left it to her. The woman never used it, didn't know what to do with it, so gave it to me.
5--Tile dimensions: 2 cm x 3 cm
6--152 tiles
7--There is one E
PICTURES OF SET:
0-40.jpg
0-42.jpg
0-41.jpg
8--Container is wood coated in a brown vinyl material
9--The brass on the case has blackened. It works.
10--No paper materials.
15--8 Jokers

Its age: hard to tell if the stickered jokers are original to this set, or how many flowers this set originally came with. See column 509; the Flowers/Jokers table indicates it could have been made in the late forties or fifties.
Play safe out there.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
May 27, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Are you still doing this, part 2

On Monday, May 27, 2024 at 09:55:54 PM EDT, Maureen g wrote:
Re: Analysis
Hi Tom,
Thanks for your response. I see my question posted. I’m confused, though. Do I post the items you request on your evaluation checklist to this email or directly to the website?
Maureen G

By email, Maureen. There's no way to upload directly to the site. See instructions in FAQ 7h.
Standing by...!
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
May 27, Memorial Day, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Are you still doing this?

Subject: Analysis
On Monday, May 27, 2024 at 06:24:10 PM EDT, Maureen g wrote:
Hi Tom,
Love your site!
I teach mah jongg in Miami, on the campus of the University of Miami, in private homes, in nursing homes, in country clubs and on cruise ships. I refer my students to your website as part of the lesson plans.
It appears that you evaluate old mah jongg sets for estimated valuation. I was given a set that was found in an attic. You require information and pictures which I'm happy to send. My questions: are you still doing this? And, do you purchase these sets or can you direct me to someone in my county or state who might be interested in purchasing the sets?
Thanks, Tom.
Maureen G

Hi, Maureen! So glad my articles are helpful to your students.
1. Yes, I still do this. You can see some examples below. Sometimes people send me tiny photos and harbor unreasonably high expectations of a reasonably reliable evaluation. See FAQ 7h for my expectations re pictures and, especially, condition terminology.
2. It's unlikely (but possible) that I might be interested in your set, since I have too many already.
3. You can post your set for sale on my Sets For Sale bulletin board. But an auction site or app would be a better bet for you. Local charity shops might take it on consignment. See Tips For Sellers.
Play safe out there. And (since you're looking to sell your set) may the tiles not be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
May 27, Memorial Day, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

The 1959 NMJL card, part 3

Followup to Caryn's question from Saturday. This morning on the Facebook page "Mah Jongg, That's It!," I saw that Molly Hardy posted a photo of the 1959 card (the right panel of the card front) on Sunday. It shows the "Unlimited Flower Hands" section, using the same wording that I observed on the 1958 card.

It says "discarded Flowers may be claimed twice, once to complete either Septette for Exposure and again for Mah Jongg." Normally, back then, since flowers were wild, the claiming of discarded flowers was subject to strict rules (see left panel of the back of the card). This sentence states an exception to those rules, just for these two-septette hands. As noted in column 509 (and on the 1959 card), there were 20 flowers in the deck that year, and no jokers.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
Monday, Memorial Day, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

The 1959 NMJL card, part 2

Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
On Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 09:34:19 PM EDT, carynh... wrote:
Thank you!!!! I have been following you for about 22 years, I think...
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

Wow, cool! Standing by for more information about the exact wording on that 1959 card. You've got me curious too!
May the tiles be with you, Caryn!

The 1959 NMJL card

Mah-Jongg Q+A
On Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 07:36:57 PM EDT, carynh... wrote:
My mah-jongg question is:
On a 1959 card, what does it mean that flowerscan only be changed twice?
Thank you.
Playing over 52 years now. My mom made me learn.
Caryn
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

Hi, Caryn! I'm afraid I don't have a 1959 card. 囧
I do have a 1958 card, though. On the front (not the back) it says a discarded flower may be claimed twice, but only for one particular hand - I didn't find anything about a flower being changed twice, as you say. You'll have to give me more information - preferably a nice crisp readable photo of the language you're questioning. I may need to see the entire back of the 1959 card, as well..
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
May 25, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

We have a problem with our three-person Charleston, part 3

On Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 01:45:54 PM EDT, Arlene T wrote:
Mah-Jongg Q+A
Thank you Tom for your great advise.
Arlene

You're welcome, Arlene!
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
May 25, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

We have a problem with our three-person Charleston, part 2

On Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 10:14:52 AM EDT, Arlene T wrote:
Re: Mah-Jongg Q+A
We stack the empty seat with 7- rows of three. One person will take the first right from the stacked, then over, from person sitting across, and so on with each of us getting 2 - stackes of three each leaving the last 3 tiles for the across person to do her option which most take 3, which she is getting three BRAN NEW tiles, with the possibility of getting a joker. Which isn’t fair to the other two people playing. I hope I explained it correctly.
Thank You Tom
Arlene

On Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 11:34:02 AM EDT, Arlene T wrote:
Mah Jongg
Hi Tom:
Regarding my latest message. Second position has the advantage.
Thank You
Arlene

囧 Aw geez, Arlene, I wasn't seriously offering to help you guys fix your made-up rule! But I suppose it's poor sportsmanship not to play along...

1. If the 7th stack of 3 tiles is a problem, why not just eliminate it? Just deal 6 stacks to the empty seat, and then skip the courtesy pass entirely? I'm sure you know that the official rule is to skip the Charleston altogether. It shouldn't be as big a deal to just skip the courtesy pass.
2. If the problem is that the player seated opposite the empty seat gets the advantage every. single. game, then you can shift seats after every hand; like, say, keeping the empty seat always at East's right. Not only the dice move, but the empty seat also moves (in effect). That way the 7th-stack advantage gets passed around the table equally.

When there are only 3 people playing, each player gets more picks from the wall, which is why skipping the Charleston actually works well for 3 players. When the 3-player Charleston has you stepping on each other's feet, you could consider skipping it altogether. Have you tried the other 3P Charleston techniques I mentioned in column 532? I never heard of your seven-stack method before, and the ones I had heard of never seemed to have this unfairness problem your method has.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
May 25, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

We have a problem with our three-person Charleston

Mah-Jongg Q+A
On Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 04:22:27 AM EDT, Arlene T wrote:
My mah-jongg question or comment is:
When we play with 3 and still do the Charleston, the player opposite the empty seat gets 3 unseen tiles when she does the option part of the Charleston which is unfair to the other players. How do we solve this.
Thank you
Arlene

Hi, Arlene!
I don't know how your three-person Charleston rules work. I mean, doesn't somebody get tiles from the empty seat on every pass? Why would that happen only on the courtesy pass? I played with a group that insisted on dancing the Charleston when there were only three of us, and the result was that sometimes somebody might get a joker from the empty seat. All kinds of weird things happen when you make up your own table rules. I couldn't possibly help you with your special 3-person Charleston unless you first tell me in exact detail how it works, step by step, and even then somebody in your group might find something to object to in my solution. Your group has to either live with the unfairness, or find a way to fix it yourselves, or skip the Charleston when there are only 3 players.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
May 25, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

The 2024 NMJL card, part 9

On Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 10:02:57 AM EDT, David M wrote:
2024 card question
Just found your board - thank you for maintaining this resource. I tried to look and find the answer to my question so if you have already answered please let me know.
On consecutive run, 4th down - any two suites, any 3 consecutive numbers. Do the consecutive numbers need to be the same in the two suites? Or, can they be different? The card shows an example of them being the same but could you have 1 22 3333 in dots and 5 66 7777 in cracks?
David M

Hi, David! The numbers absolutely have to match. The parenthetical says "3 numbers," not six. See FAQ 16 (all the frequently asked questions about the 2024 NMJL card).

See the color-coded symbols on the card - they show an example of what three consecutive numbers looks like if they start with the number one. If your three consecutive numbers start with 5, it would look like this: 5 66 7777 5 66 7777.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
May 22, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

I would love to read that column, part 5

On Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 12:27:31 PM EDT, HEIDI P wrote:
Re: Reference: MJ@Sloperama Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers - Donation from Heidi P
Hi Tom,
How kind of Ray to take the time to translate and respond, and for you to alert me to posting of his translation (I very nearly did shout, but only with joy!). Many thanks to you both!

Have a great day, Heidi!

I would love to read that column, part 4

On Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 10:56:36 AM EDT, Ray Heaton wrote:
Heidi P's flowers
Hi Tom, after a long hiatus from Mahjong I had another look today at your site and saw Heidi's flowers. These say
青山不老，綠水長流 qīngshān-bùlǎo, lǜshuǐ-chángliú
which means something like, "The blue mountains do not grow old; the green waters flow forever".
Ray

Wonderful, Ray! Thank you.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
May 21, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

Two Questions

On Friday, May 17, 2024 at 06:56:31 PM EDT, Joanne M wrote:
Two Questions
1. A player called for a tile, discarded , but never exposed her tiles on the top of her rack. What happens next?
2. A player never picked a tile from the wall to open the window of opportunity. Instead, she simply discarded a flower. Two players claimed the flower for mah jongg. Does mah jongg trump all?
Thanks for helping me out, once again. Your website is great!
Joanne M

Hi, Joanne!
1. The player's hand is dead. Discarding before completing the play sealed her fate.
2. Only one player can win. The player first in turn (counterclockwise) from the discarder wins. The thing you said about the discarder's error doesn't matter at this point, since someone has won. Discarder pays the winner double, other non-winners pay the winner single value.
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
May 17, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

I would love to read that column, part 3

On Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 09:14:45 PM EDT, HEIDI P wrote:
Re: Reference: MJ@Sloperama Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers - Donation from Heidi P
My pleasure and thanks again! These are the flowers in my set...I think beautifully carved. I have no idea what they "mean," but lovely nonetheless.

Yes, very nice!
Tom

I would love to read that column, part 2

On Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 08:44:50 PM EDT, service@paypal wrote:
Reference: MJ@Sloperama Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers - Donation from Heidi P
Hello Thomas Sloper,
Donation Received
This email confirms that you have received a donation of $10.00 USD from Heidi P.
You can view the transaction details online.
Donation Details
Total amount: $10.00 USD
Currency: U.S. Dollars
Purpose: Sloperama Mah-Jongg Answers
Contributor: Heidi Pate
Message: Thanks so much for sending me the link to updated "all about flowers" FAQ. I really appreciate your research and expertise. Best regard and may the jokers be with you! Heidi
PayPal

Thanks, Heidi!
Play safe out there. And may the tiles be with you.
Tom Sloper
Rochester, New York, USA
May 16, 2024
Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
Donations appreciated

I would love to read that column on flowers

On Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 07:30:58 PM EDT, HEIDI P wrote:
Column on flower tile varieties
Hello Mr. Sloper,
I have an old MJ set gifted to me by a friend (a non-player of course!), which I've gently cleaned and truly love. It is all intact, complete, and in beautiful shape.
I was delighted to see your FAQ7b, this bullet in particular, because it sounds nearly exactly like my set (1 bams are identical to those in your photo below). And the box is just like this in column 610.