There’s A New Game in Town – Mahjong!

The game of Mahjong has a long and storied history, originating in China and gaining mass appeal worldwide, and is having a resurgence… I want to tell you why I love it and to welcome you to the new Tideswell Mahjong Club.

Very briefly, the game itself is played with 144 tiles, and the object is to be the first to accomplish a complete hand, which comprises 4 sets and a pair. It is surprisingly easy to learn. Here’s why I love the game:

It’s beautiful. Mahjong is played with lovely tiles, and as you learn to build a simple hand, you’ll get familiar with many terms of the game, including “bird bam,” “red dragon,” “east wind,” and “the twittering of the sparrows,” just to name a few. Yes, it’s fun to play, but it’s also simply beautiful.

It combines luck and strategy. Luck probably plays a bigger role, but you do make lots of choices along the way, and the more you play, the more you see that strategy is important as well. It’s fun to play a game that relies on both factors, not just one.

It is easy to learn. We play typical “Chinese” style, which is the simplest of all Mahjong styles. I have taught dozens to play, and most are hooked immediately. Don’t try to read about it first, it might come across as complex. It isn’t!

Best of all: Mahjong facilitates friendship and connection. We all look forward to our next chance to play, partly because it’s our time to “unplug” and enjoy a fun and beautiful game, but also because of the friendships you make at a Mahjong table. To me, this is everything.

Right now we meet weekly, on Wednesdays at 12:30 at the Tideswell Lounge, but I anticipate adding in some evening meet-ups as well. Completely fine if you come some weeks, and not others; we are all busy!

I’ll post details on Tideswell People (Facebook) but best is to message me to be added to our club’s WhatsApp chat – email me at gkahn9988@gmail.com or call me at 07787 287 986.

Hope to see you soon! Gillian Hargreaves