Mahjong

That's all I thought it was. Handicaps and books sound a bit serious for what is basically a glorified version of snap.

Well yes, my thoughts exactly!

I've been asked to join 3 groups. Out of the 3, the one I chose was the one I don't know anyone in. I did that on purpose to meet a new group of people and broaden my horizons so to speak.

But bugger me if I didn't choose the group who take it all far too seriously! The others do it for fun. I can imagine this one being anything but!

I could be wrong. Time will tell!

I think the traditional game is much more complicated. My sister talked about playing it at a friends house once, she though it was pretty much what CountDuckula said, but apparently it wasn't

I've only ever played computer versions of it though, perhaps it's all far more technical IRL. I'm intrigued now ?

I love Mahjong. There is a cetain amount of strategy to it but nothing like needing to read a book on it ? You could play it on www.pogo.co.uk , click on Mahjong Garden.

Clearly they believe there is point to reading this book as the words in the email were quite specific that I read up on it! How technical it is compared to the games we've played online/on phones is yet to be seen. Personally I didn't think there was much to it. Obviously there must be!

Computer version and Mah Jong the game are different. If you're playing the game IRL you have a selection of tiles and are trying to get a hand, sort of the way you would in cards. A good book is The Mah Jong Player's Companion by Patricia A Thompson And Betty Maloney

Thanks Lofty. That's the book they recommended and is now winging it's way to me via Amazon. ?

It's fun though, right? And not as complicated as Bridge (I hope!)

They're probably asking you to read the book because there can be slightly different rules depending on which you follow - it's not just a case of matching likeness, there's also different words abit like saying 'bingo' but not quite ?. The actual games with the tiles placed in rows like four walls is very different to what you play on the computer versions. It can be quite strategic and then if you play for money too then people will take it very seriously. It's a nosy game too. Quite enjoyable but I'd need the rules if I were to try and pick it up again.

No. Basic solitare Mahjong (ie the games you play on your own and the one on your phone) is like snap, the proper game has 4 players and is like poker, you have to make up sets of tiles and it's played in hands, usualy 16 to a game. You also have chips for scoring.

That's why you need the book you have to learn the combinations.

It's not at all like snap, it's much more complicated and there are lots of variations. ?

As Lobster says, mahjong is like poker in that there are four "suits" IIRC and there are other cards that score in different ways and to be good at mahjong, you need to have a good memory for what has been played...

It's also like poker in that people bet huge amounts of money on games - I know a Chinese bloke whose mother lost the family home and other assets due to a Mahjong gambling addiction.

Oh fark me. It's a flippin memory game. Like counting cards in Vegas! I'm doomed!

Don't worry, its not too difficult at first and hopefully your group will help you at first. The book that you've ordered has lots of different hands in it, and when I play I have it with me, so that I can look the different hands up. Its good fun and a good way to meet people. My parents lived in China for a few years and my mum joined a group as a way to make friends. She loved it and is always pestering people to play, mostly so that she can beat them. Mr L takes perverse delight in finding the most obscure hands to beat her!