I just can’t help saying over and over again how much I adore Gladys Grad and all she does for our beloved game of Mah Jongg. Last week she developed a spread sheet of sorts explaining the difference between certain actions in a friendly social game and the same actions in a tournament. And, guess what…there really shouldn’t be a difference because, as Gladys says, that social game set of rules just cost you money! Read on and much thanks to Gladys!
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Tag Archives: Gladys Grad
BECOME A MAH JONGG MASTER
Everyone’s dear friend and Mah Jongg maven, Gladys Grad, the Grand Master of American Style Mah Jongg, offers all of us the opportunity to become a Mah Jongg Grand Master. As she writes, “The MAH JONGG MASTER POINTS™ System certifies and authorizes tournament Hosts to run Mah Jongg games/ tournaments where MAH JONGG MASTER POINTS™ are awarded. Mah Jongg players can accumulate points and achieve ranks, by participating in these sanctioned tournaments where American-style Mah Jongg is played.”
Find American-Style Mah Jongg Tournaments near you – these tournaments are authorized to award Master Points: http://www.mahjonggmasterpoints.com/tournaments/
Use this form to sign up and become Mah Jongg Master Points® Member: http://www.mahjonggmasterpoints.com/members/
For more information or any questions, contact Gladys at http://www.mahjonggmasterpoints.com/contact-us/
I LIKE A POLITE AND FRIENDLY GAME…
I know a player who, when she wants to exchange a tile for a Joker on someone else’s rack, she just sticks out her hand with the Joker and doesn’t say a word. She expects that the person with the Joker will know exactly what she wants and usually it works out that way. But I find it a bit rude and I personally do like to say something along the lines of, “may I have your Joker please?”
Also, when this same person wants to claim a discard and it is her turn to pick, she doesn’t say anything…she just picks it up. That used to be okay – albeit a little strange – but ever since last year’s card, the rule has changed so that now you must verbally make a claim.
Interestingly enough, the wonderful Gladys Grad, the Grand Master of American-Style Mah Jongg, just wrote about these very subjects:
Q. When we play in our home game, we just place our tile on our opponent’s rack, and exchange for their Joker. Or we put it on the table directly in front of them. We’re smart. We can figure out what they want. It’s the same with the new rule from the NMJL; why do I have to say “take,” when I want their discard if I am next in line for my turn. I don’t have to say “take” when it’s my turn to pick from the wall. Isn’t this the same thing? Isn’t this a bit much? Marlene
DID YOU KNOW?
The wonderful Gladys Grad, the Grand Master of American Style Mah Jongg, offers a Q&A in her monthly newsletter. This month there were a number of very interesting questions. Here are a couple of them with more to follow in a day or two. I’d love to hear your comments!
Q. Someone who winters in Arizona said that the white dragon should be called “white” during play. She got this instruction from a person who runs tournaments in Arizona. Is this now correct for all tournaments?
A. We call the white dragon “Soap.” The NMJL has called it “soap” for many decades. It’s common in Canada to name it “white.” Either name is acceptable in most tournaments. However, if a tournament Host states they want it named “white,” then you should abide by the Host’s rules.
Q. I don’t want to build walls, and I don’t want to throw the dice to break the walls. Too many additional things we have to do. Why?
A. We just love these kinds of questions. How about like what Mom used to say, “Because I said so.” In this case….’because the NMJL said so.’ It’s the rule. However, here is a wonderful response…on Facebook, “This is a game of ceremony, rules and etiquette. Building the wall is part of the ceremony. I cannot imagine forgoing this in the traditional four person game.” Moreover, breaking the wall arbitrarily by the throw of the dice is a method to prevent stacking East’s wall with Jokers; to prevent cheating. This process is used throughout the Mah Jongg playing world.
Does your group build walls and throw the dice to know where to break the wall? I recently played with a woman whose group always breaks the wall at 8. They never throw the dice. I personally like the rituals and ceremonies of the game and would not want to give up any of them. Also, as Gladys pointed out, throwing the dice to determine where to break the wall is a definite method to prevent any cheating. Let me know your thoughts…
SHE ALWAYS HAS THE RIGHT ANSWER…
It’s been a while since I posted the Q&A from our dear friend Gladys Grad’s Mah Jongg Madness newsletter. Here are some questions (and answers from Gladys), which are frequently asked by Mah Jongg students and experienced players alike.
THE GRAND MASTER!
You probably know that I adore both Gladys Grad, the Grand Master of American-Style Mah Jongg Tournaments, and Lynn Chorn, the owner of the fabulous Mah Jongg website, www.wherethewindsblow.com. What a great delight today for me to see that Gladys has written a wonderful article for Lynn and her website. And it is really an informative and interesting article – one that all of you will want to read, especially for those of you interested in tournament play. Much thanks to Gladys and Lynn for always providing us with such wonderful Mah Jongg information!
Mah Jongg and Me 