Mahjong

If you like to get your hands on something a little different, consider playing Mahjong.   There is currently a sizeable community in Heritage Harbour who play Mahjong and you have at least 2 opportunities to play weekly at the Stoneybrook Rec Center.  Monday afternoons from 1 until 3 you’ll find a large, more experienced group  and Tuesday afternoons from 2 until 4 pm you’ll find a more intimate sized group open to anyone interested in playing or learning the game.

History

Mahjong originated in China; popular myth would have Confucius creating the game in 500 B.C. though it is most easily traced back to the 19th century.  The game made it  to the U.S. in the 1920’s where it gained popular support for a period of time here but, like many fads (does anyone remember “Twister”?), died out.   Still, devotees of the game, mainly on the east coast kept it alive. 

In China the game was largely considered a betting game thus in 1949 when the Communist government took power the game was banned.  The People’s Republic of China considered the gambling aspects of the game reminiscent of capitalistic corruption.  After the Cultural Revolution, the game was revived and in 1985 the prohibition was revoked.  Today it is very popular in China and other Chinese-speaking communities.

There are many different versions of the game; but basically it is played with 4 players and a set of colorful tiles with Chinese characters and pictures on them.  Though the tiles are the size and shape of dominoes, the game is closer to card playing. 

Contact

If you’d like to learn more, contact Margie 748-7678 margiejaudon@verizon.net or Joyce 744-5554 jsandy@tampabay.rr.com