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Mahjong Games - Discover New Ways to Play Mahjongg
Mahjong Games: A Fun and Challenging Way to Boost Your Brain
If you are looking for a game that can stimulate your mind, improve your memory, and foster social connections, you might want to give mahjong a try. Mahjong is a tile-based game that originated in China and has spread throughout the world since the early 20th century. It is played by four players (with some three-player variations found in parts of China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia) who try to form sets and pairs of tiles according to certain rules and patterns. Mahjong is not only a game of luck, but also a game of skill, strategy, and calculation.
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In this article, we will explore the origin and history of mahjong, the popularity and variations of mahjong around the world, the benefits of playing mahjong for mental health, cognitive skills, and social interaction, and the basic rules and strategies of mahjong. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of what makes mahjong such a fascinating and rewarding game, and hopefully, you will be inspired to give it a go yourself.
The Origin and History of Mahjong
The exact origins of mahjong are unclear, but some theories suggest it was created by Chinese officers during the Taiping Rebellion in the mid to late 1800s. The name Mahjong or Mah Jong can be spelled differently, but both are usually considered correct. The name means "sparrow" in Chinese, which is still used in several Chinese languages, mostly in the south, such as Cantonese and Hokkien. Some believe that the name comes from the sound of the tiles shuffling on the table, which resembles the chirping of sparrows.
Mahjong was introduced to the United States in the 1920s by Joseph Park Babcock, an American businessman who lived in China. He simplified and standardized the rules of the game and published a book called "Rules of Mah-Jongg" in 1920. The game became a craze among Americans from different cultures and backgrounds, who also added their own variations and adaptations to the game. Mahjong also became popular in other countries, such as Japan, where it was further modified and influenced by local customs and preferences.
The Popularity and Variations of Mahjong Around the World
Today, mahjong is widely played throughout East and Southeast Asia and has also become popular in Western countries. The game has also been adapted into a widespread online entertainment. There are many regional variations of mahjong, each with its own rules, scoring systems, tile sets, and special hands. Some of the most common variations are:
Chinese Classical Mahjong: This is the oldest version of the game and the closest to its original form. It uses 136 tiles (without flowers or seasons) and has no Joker tiles or bonus points. It is based on forming four sets (either three identical tiles or three consecutive tiles in the same suit) and one pair (two identical tiles). It is also known as Old Style or Traditional Mahjong.
- Japanese Mahjong: This is also known as Riichi Mahjong or Richi Mahjong. It uses 136 tiles (without flowers or seasons) and has Joker tiles. It is one of the most complex and popular variations of mahjong, as it introduces additional rules such as riichi (a declaration of ready hand), dora (bonus tiles), furiten (a restriction on winning with a discard), and yaku (specific patterns or conditions for a valid hand). It also has a unique scoring system that uses han (the value of yaku) and fu (the value of melds, waits, and winning) to calculate the basic points, which are then multiplied by the seat and round winds, counters, and other factors . - American Mahjong: This is also known as Mah Jongg or Mahjongg. It uses 152 tiles (including flowers, seasons, and Jokers) and has a card that specifies the winning combinations of tiles (called hands). The goal of the game is to match one's tiles with one of these hands, which are updated annually by the National Mah Jongg League. The game also allows chows (runs) with honors (winds and dragons), gives extra points for concealed hands (no exposed sets), and requires a minimum of 8 points to win . Some possible paragraphs to continue the article are: The Benefits of Playing Mahjong for Mental Health, Cognitive Skills, and Social Interaction
Mahjong is not only a fun and challenging game, but also a beneficial one for one's mental health, cognitive skills, and social interaction. Studies have shown that playing mahjong can improve memory, attention, concentration, problem-solving, decision-making, and strategic thinking . It can also reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness by providing a positive and engaging activity that stimulates the brain and fosters social bonds with other players . Playing mahjong can also promote cultural awareness and appreciation, as it exposes players to different aspects of Chinese and other Asian cultures through the symbols, names, and rules of the game .
The Basic Rules and Strategies of Mahjong
The basic rules of mahjong are similar across different variations, but there are some differences in the details. The common goal of the game is to form a complete hand of 14 tiles that consists of four sets (either three identical tiles or three consecutive tiles in the same suit) and one pair (two identical tiles). A set can be either exposed (claimed from another player's discard) or concealed (formed from one's own tiles). A hand can also be formed by special patterns such as seven pairs or thirteen orphans. A player wins by declaring "mahjong" when they draw or claim a tile that completes their hand.
Some basic strategies of mahjong include:
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Choosing a hand that suits one's tiles and the situation. For example, if one has many honors or terminals, they might aim for a hand that requires them. If one has many simple tiles, they might go for a hand that involves runs. If one has many Jokers or dora tiles, they might try to maximize their value.
Keeping track of the discards and the remaining tiles. This can help one to estimate the probability of getting the tiles they need, avoid discarding tiles that other players might want, and avoid waiting for tiles that are already discarded or dead.
Being flexible and adaptable. Sometimes it is necessary to change one's plan or discard strategy depending on the flow of the game, the actions of other players, or the availability of tiles. For example, if one is close to completing a hand but another player declares riichi or shows signs of having a high-scoring hand, they might want to play defensively and avoid discarding dangerous tiles.
Being aware of the scoring system and the yaku. Different variations of mahjong have different scoring systems and yaku that affect the value of a hand. Knowing these can help one to choose a hand that maximizes their points or meets the minimum requirements to win.
The Different Types of Tiles and Sets in Mahjong
A standard mahjong set consists of 144 tiles, which can be divided into three main groups: suited tiles, honor tiles, and bonus tiles. The suited tiles are further divided into three suits: circles, bamboo, and characters. Each suit has nine tiles numbered from one to nine, and there are four identical copies of each tile. The circles are also known as dots or wheels, and represent coins. The bamboo are also known as sticks or bams, and represent strings of cash. The characters are also known as numbers or cracks, and represent ten thousands of cash .
The honor tiles are divided into two types: winds and dragons. The winds are four tiles that represent the four cardinal directions: east, south, west, and north. The dragons are three tiles that represent the three Confucian virtues: red (中 zhōng) for benevolence, green (發 fā) for sincerity, and white (白 bái) for filial piety. There are four identical copies of each wind and dragon