The old saying “everything old is new again” accurately describes the current revival of mahjong, the centuries-old board game developed in China in the mid-1800s. The tile-based game that became popular in North America in the 1920s is experiencing a remarkable global renaissance after decades of diminished interest. Today, millions of people worldwide are regularly playing the game and among them are booming numbers of Canadians. In fact, mahjong clubs are currently thriving in towns and cities across the country. While the game has traditionally had a reputation as an old folks’ pursuit, its recent revival is attracting people of all ages. “Mahjong will continue to soar to new heights, and more and more people will fall in love with it,” said Leo Zhang, president of the Toronto-based Canadian Mahjong Federation (CMF). “I’m certain that one day, it will be included in the Olympics under an intellectual board games category along with chess and bridge,” he said. For those unfamiliar with it, mahjong is a fast-paced, four-person competition somewhat similar to the card game of rummy. Play involves skill, strategy, mathematical probability, tile tracking and defensive expertise. A mahjong boxed set consists of 144 tiles based on Chinese characters and symbols ‒ or alternative variations ‒ with each player beginning a game with a hand of 13 tiles. Employing the basic mechanics of drawing new tiles and discarding the unwanted, the winner of the game is the first to craft a winning hand of 14 tiles typically consisting of a matching pair and sequential runs. Newcomers to the game sometimes say that it’s easy enough to learn the basics, but it requires time, persistence and dedication to master. Like bridge ‒ with its various styles of play such as contract, rubber, duplicate, Chicago and more ‒ mahjong likewise has several variations including Chinese, Japanese and American. For instance, Zhang’s CMF members primarily play the Chinese and Japanese variants of the game. The variation which is played is often influenced by the existing cultural community and its prevailing numbers. With American-style mahjong widely popular in Canada and the United States, this variation is governed by a scoring card with a new version issued annually by the National Mahjong League Inc. The card shows a compilation of the particular year’s winning-hand combinations. A game win is only possible by completing one of the numerous tile combinations illustrated on the card. Moreover, the card isn’t just a handy tool ‒ it’s a necessity. In spite of its engaging play and fundamental fascination, the game alone is not the sole reason for its latter-day popularity. The recent mahjong phenomenon is largely driven by a public craving offline connections. In this heavily digitized world, people are seeking genuine, screen-free human interaction, including a thirst quenched for many by the seduction of the game and the human environment in which it is played. Another factor influencing mahjong’s renaissance can be attributed to the COVID shutdown. Once the restricting pandemic receded and people were once again able to mingle in the public world, there was an insatiable, pent-up need for human engagement and social interaction. It was at this crossroads in time that mahjong found a hospitable place with people vying for less Mahjong is on a Roll The ancient Chinese game is having a massive global resurgence. Leisure by Donna Carter 32 | www.snowbirds.org
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