Mahjong is an ancient game, popular throughout the world. It's a fun game, and fosters friendship and bonds for a lifetime.It makes an excellent social activity and prevents isolation for people of all ages. It teaches patience; while sitting for long hours, waiting for your turn, and waiting on your tile, patience is a significant factor in the game. Mah Jongg also helps improve a person’s memory and sharpens the mind. It helps people to make faster decisions and better observations, and also forces players to think on different spectrums. In order to make a winning hand, players need to stay mentally alert throughout the game.
But every game comes with a set of rules and etiquettes.
Mah Jongg is a versatile game and it has a whole lot of variations. It is said that, “the day after mah-jongg was created; it was played at a second table, with a second set of rules”!
So, each table can have their own rules as long as they are agreeable by all the four players. Therefore, it’s important to ask for table rules when you join a new table. The other three players should make an effort to make the new player comfortable and acquaint her with the rules specific to their table. But, if you were to play a tournament, then you should be flexible enough to leave aside your table rules and abide by the tournament rules.
Today I write about the etiquettes of the game rather than the rules.
Before I begin to write, I want to say, “A game is a game, is a game, is a game…”
I write this to emphasize on the fact that no game is over friendships and human relationships.
Many tournament participants are extremely passionate about Mahjong; they put in a lot of effort, time and money into the game and so expect a high degree of professionalism from the other players. But these players too need to remember that, ultimately, it’s just a game.
Harmony is more important than winning.
And to maintain this harmony and smooth playing of the game, one definitely needs to follow some basic etiquettes.
First and foremost, remember, Mahjong is a game for gentlemen and (gentle) ladies.
Respect others
Greet everyone at the table and thank them for playing after finishing the game.
Apolosize for inconveniences you may have caused to someone.
Don’t heckle inexperienced players; we all have been there. Instead help them improve their game. This will motivate them to keep playing, which in the long run, will lead to a stable group and better game for all.
Be humble and do not brag about your superior ability.
Learn the rules
In a social game, you can ask as many questions as you need, to learn the game, but in a tournament, you’ll be expected to know the prevalent rules and regulations. Also, even if people are willing to teach you, they may not be able to give lengthy explanations for want of time. Of course, quick clarifications can always be sought and given. However, this should not discourage you from playing, so long as you do your best at the game.
Don’t argue
Sometimes it’s better to let small mistakes slip, unless they were obviously made in bad faith ( and if they were, then why even play with such people)
Focus on the game
Joking and chatting briefly at the table is ok, but most players prefer silence so they can concentrate. Focus on your game. Inexperienced players may be struggling just to keep up with your pace so it's somewhat rude not giving them your best effort in return.
Be transparent
Arrange winning hands in a clear and logical way so that all players can tell what is being scored.
When paying other players with scoring sticks/ counters, place them on the table so that everyone can see what is being exchanged.
Don't give up
The game isn't over until the last tile is on the table. Even if you are far behind and the outcome is already decided for you, the other players may still be closely tied and struggling to secure a position. Don't display disinterest or discard tiles haphazardly.
Do not touch other players’ tiles
It is entirely up to them if they want to disclose what tiles they had. If you're dying to know you can say "May I ask what your wait was?", but don't expect everyone to accommodate your request. Also, never touch other players scoring trays.
Shield yourself from information
If you need to leave the table during a hand, take care not to look at the other players’ tiles as you pass them by.
Maintain personal hygiene
Remember that everyone has to touch the same tiles. Once, I had to actually wash the tiles after a game!
Help each other out
If one player is busy calculating scores, making tea, in the bathroom, etc., you should help build their side of the wall so the game can continue as soon as possible. In informal games you can even start early by breaking the wall and dealing the tiles (without looking at them before everyone is ready). However, if someone is conveniently missing every time you need to build the wall you can subtly let them know you are on to them by leaving their side un-built. Also, the game obviouly comes to a halt when any one player is missing from the table.
Be polite
Be polite if a penalty has to be imposed. If you have reason to declare a player's hand dead, just be matter-of-fact about pointing it out. Don't be vindictive, or in-your-face, or even overly apologetic. Politeness is always good; be considerate of other players' needs.
Be gracious
Not only is it important to lose graciously, it's also important to win graciously. Another aspect of being a good sport is complimenting others when they win or make a good move.
Picking Ahead
Many players think "picking ahead” is the correct way to play. But when these players come to a tournament... watch out! Picking ahead is the surest way I know to get called “dead” in a tournament. Anyways, it causes too many conflicts when someone wants to claim a discard. You might think that it makes the game go faster, but it really doesn't.
Resting Hands in the Play Area
Your hand or wrist obscures an area where there might be tiles people want to see, so don’t rest your hands rest on the table.
Eating
Everybody eats during mah-jongg (and I for one, am getting overweight because of it). But it shouldn't interfere with the game. Also, one should not put eatables on the game table; always use side tables for the same.
Making Everybody Wait
It's normal to need a moment or two to think occasionally. But some players make a bad habit of it. If you think you might want a discard, it's OK to say, "Wait a second." But don't stretch it out to a minute. We give you a second and you take an hour? That isn't nice! Say, "Wait a second." Then, within a second or two, make a decision one way or another. When delays are injected into the game, people forget whose turn it was. During a Charleston, somebody thinking too long is the single greatest cause of mix-ups. The longer somebody ponders, the greater the chances of a confusion.
Hello anupama, glad to know mahjong is going strong in India. I know they play it all the clubs and gynkhanas. From your description I see that you play the Classical Chinese version. The American version (or Jewish version) is more popular here. I play both and am organizing a tournament in Ottawa on March 30. Let’s stay in touch.
ReplyDeleteRadhika
Thank You very very much for commenting on my FB post asking about MJ Etiquette. You truly understood what I was asking for.
ReplyDeleteI will share your information with others. It's sad that people need to be reminded how to be polite to one another. Bless you.
hi Vanora, so glad that you had liked this blog post .....do read the later posts too and give your opinion. thanks
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