American Mah Jongg Primer: Everything you need to know to play with confidence. (American Mah Jongg Primer Series)

American Mah Jongg Primer: Everything you need to know to play with confidence. (American Mah Jongg Primer Series)

Mah jongg originated in China, dating back to the 1880s. The name of the game is spelled many ways, but they all roughly translate to "sparrow." It is an intriguing tile game of skill, strategy, and luck. In the beginning, only royalty played the game. It was illegal for commoners to play. In the 1900's this restriction was lifted, and the game gained popularity throughout Asia. By the time the game was introduced to Europe in 1920, several playing styles had emerged. In 1922, mah jongg was imported into the United States with translated and simplified rules for American players. New York City players established the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) in 1937. They found that Americans were confused about the many ways to play the game, so they created their own rules and developed a player reference card (i.e., the card) published and distributed every year in April, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity. This is the most common way to play mah jongg in the United States and has become known as “American Style.” The objective in a game is to be the first player to assemble fourteen tiles into one of many pattern-based combinations or “hands” on the card. This primer aims to teach the American mah jongg game fundamentals, provide skill-building exercises, and share enough strategy for confident play. What’s inside: Where to find the rules of the game - Game fundamentals - Hands-on drills - Core strategies - Tips to maintain a healthy mindset