I used to see mahjong mats, mahjong tables in Asian grocery stores. This online Asian grocery store has mahjong sets for sale. I use them for grocery deliveries. Weee! | America’s largest online Asian supermarket
With regards to set up, we usually have 3 tables, play in each others homes. At my house I use both kitchen and dining room and recently used the square fire table on our patio. IMO, a regular card table is hard to play at- you need small side tables to put a beverage or snack bowl if providing those options, which we do.
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I got a great set from Amazon. $60 and included the tiles, a handy carrying case, and the pushers, and a little brochure about the game. American mah Jong.
I’m hoping to find a group to play this summer at my lake!
Are they American or Chinese games? The tiles aren’t the same.
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Agree. I have both plain red and plain green felt.
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You are right, they are traditional Chinese style. The American style has jokers, which the Chinese don’t play with. Some Chinese sets have blank tiles which can be used as jokers.
I bought Oh My Mahjong tiles/mat/racks half off a while ago and I love them. I got the Gatsby tiles and the Birdie mat. I have 38”x38” folding tables which are big enough for drinks, but i don’t like to have drinks on the table in case of spillage. I bought four clear acrylic round tables meant for drinks from Wayfair. I put one in each corner and they work great. They’re small and inexpensive ($40 apiece I believe).
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Over 90% of the time we use a plain colored tablecloth. Rarely a mat. I have common looking tiles with fancy backs, a set of the yellowish antique tiles, and a set of 50+ year old triple layer tiles.
Although I like playing with new stylized theme tiles, almost everyone I play with (in 4 locations, 2 states) does not like to play with those, or mats with designs, so I have refrained from buying any. If several people bring tiles there are always requests to not use the tiles with unusual designs and if one is being used there are always some people who ask to not rotate to that table. If I ever find a group that likes fancy themed tiles, I will buy some, but still use a tablecloth.
When I replace my racks I will probably switch to wood with detachable magnetic pushers instead of plastic with attached pushers.
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Bumping this up.
Any ideas for a let’s say challenging personality?
We have a woman who can be very off putting to others. We have an open group and so have players who are relatively new. We also have a lot of snowbirds who are home for the summer.
One woman has a strong personality. She will admonish if someone makes mistakes. She’s a lot. Just no tact.
How would you suggest being kind but also letting her know that she needs to be nicer? We want the new players to continue to show up!
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@deb922 is anyone in your group a friend of this critical player? If so, perhaps that person can say something about how “the group is a mix of beginners and we were all beginners at one point. Mistakes happen, people can be slower as they play. We don’t want to be critical with our fellow players. We are playing for the fun”
She probably doesn’t even know she is doing this!
@deb922 -do you have a FB group or a text group for your Mahjong group? Could you post something general saying that with a mix of beginners and experienced players we want everyone to feel welcome. So please remember to be patient and respectful to all. , etc.
Of course usually the person who needs to be reminded of this doesn’t think it applies to them..
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I can text the leader of the group and ask her how to handle things.
I did try and reassure the new player that she was fine and ask her to come back. I try very hard to be inclusive and friendly.
I’m sure she has no idea how she’s coming across.
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I’m late to this thread, but I recently took a lesson and have been attending open play sessions and even joined a summer league (social, not competitive) which has been so much fun. I went all-in in terms of gear. I got tiles, racks and a mat from The Mahjong Line. They’re really nice–high quality and pretty–but on the pricey side. No regrets, though. I love using them and get lots of compliments. I got the “Lucky” style in seashell pink and they are beautiful and still clear in terms of recognizing suits, winds, flowers, etc. The mats are washable and the racks are perfectly measured to fit 19 tiles across with a magnetic pushers and they come in a variety of colors to match your tiles.
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I was going to ask if there is any director for the group. I think it would be a good move to let the leader know. Hopefully they can keep an eye (or ear) out for that critical player and speak to them if needed.
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Since this got bumped, I’ll take this opportunity to grouse. We take turns hosting our mahjong group, and it’s my turn this month. I really don’t want to host! lol
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Don’t sweat it! People I know are happy just to get together and have some fun.
What is making you dread this? How many tables will you have? Is it a group that is kind of one-upmanship with their tablescapes and snacks?
We do a potluck so it’s not about putting out a great spread. And in the past, I have loved to host people. I can pinpoint two things.
We have not kept our home updated as a lot of others have. For myself, I don’t care. We’ll get to it eventually, and I love our house. But I do think that I will be judged, especially after this past week’s game. I was seated at a table with two women who spent a lot of time talking about their grandsons at this expensive private-school summer camp. How do I know it’s expensive? One kept mentioning it. lol
So the two things are one, that I wish my house was updated, because two, some of the players put off snooty vibes.
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I had my 6 yr old GD over yesterday and she brought her new mini MJ game with her. It is very similar to the standard American mahjong, but with rules modified for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels for kiddos. She has had this game less than 2 weeks and I was amazed how well she was doing. We played at the beginner level and I still had trouble deciding what hand to try for. No Charleston unless you play with 4 players which made it simpler. I don’t like to play many games, so it was fun to find something to do with her.
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I don’t have neighbors trying to outdo one another but I am not comfortable hosting things for similar reasons
We have updates in the pipeline but we spent a lot of years paying for college and weddings. We are past that but I still feel self conscious about my house. Not that my friends care but I also feel that my house isn’t at the same cleanliness than theirs.
It’s just not all that also. My husband needs to find somewhere to go while I entertain. I don’t have a bunch of snacks in the house or wine so I have to procure something
Some people love to entertain, for me it feels like reinventing the wheel every single time.
I golf with a group, I’d rather go to lunch afterwards so no one has to entertain. The others enjoy having lunch at their home. I struggle with this every year.
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