Thanks! That IS the book. For anyone learning Mah Jongg as a beginner, it’s a great book because it’s written in plain English, not jargon. I suggest to folks that they read a section. Then read that same section again. Understand that before you go on. Then do the same with each section of the book.
Of course, if you are able to then watch the game in action, then reread the sections, it’s even better.
I have the book, and am loaning it to the group we are teaching now, one by one. Everyone I have loaned it to has decided to buy it for themselves (this group is VERY motivated to learn the game, and agreed the book is a good reference).
But they are also attending weekly Mah Jongg days…and three of them are now able to play a game after five weekly sessions. Yes, they make mistakes, but that is a way to learn. I’m doing the advanced group and I also give them two new pieces of rules each time we play now. There are lots of little rules that make more sense once you are actually playing the game.
The YT algorithm sent me a woman who broadcasts while she plays online with some group of subscribers maybe? I don’t want to play with others as I’m still too new and slow, I fear.
I play at this site…my teacher, an in-demand worldwide instructor, said this is her preferred site (uses NMJL card and does the Charleston in the official way): https://realmahjongg.com/
I think the first month is free, then it’s $5 per month. You can play against the computer, friends, and/or other users.
I also play on Mahjong 4 Friends. It is not very “high end” but is free. I think you can play with real people but I usually just play against the bots. it has a suggested hands feature which I use on occasion - it makes me look at more of the card when I feel like I’m in a rut.
I think online mah jongg can give you some good familiarity with the hands on the card…and that’s very important. But it’s not the same as playing in person with folks, in my opinion.
Agree…nothing like playing with people to add time pressure to decision making and learn to pay attention to what their exposures. Getting reps online is a great way to memorize the card, and also to try hands you might not try when playing in person.
That’s the deal. For a beginner, I get more than my share of wins, but I almost always mahjong with the same line. It feels easiest to conceptualize and doesn’t use pairs (so no limitations on jokers). I really want to push myself to try new hands and figured maybe doing something online when I’m not holding others up with my indecision would help me spread my wings.
I like playing on line as I tend to wait to call a tile until we’ve played a few rounds because I am scared to commit too early. But I notice the bots call a discard early, often using up jokers, so it makes me think I should commit early than I usually do.
In the past, I bought the subscription one for a month and never used it so that was a waste of money. I haven’t yet tried the Mahjong 4 Friends because every time I go on to play a solitaire game I play bridge because I’m much prefer bridge.
OK, y’all. I played three games on mahjong4friends, trying new rows. The first two games, no one won. The third game a bot won. The fourth game I went back to my favorite row, and I won! Clearly, my mind just works a certain way!
ETA: I went back to make myself try another row. I won, but I also had four jokers!
When I first started playing I also played a certain type of row. It was easy, usually one suit.
As I’ve played more, it gets easier. Also by this time of the year, I’m getting to know my card better and know what combinations work for the tiles I have.
It takes time. We have beginners in our group and people of all abilities. I never mind when it’s a new player. Or an older player who takes their time lol!
The only thing that is difficult is playing with someone who doesn’t understand that they need to pass. Or rack their tiles before they discard. Everyone makes mistakes, but rack your tiles lol!
I played with a very experienced player, who makes decisions and plays the Charleston really, really fast. I could have told her that I needed more time. She’s great and would have been fine. I decided to take it as a challenge.
I will be “playing” for the first time this coming week. I just watched a video for beginners, and will watch it again before I play. It’s me, another new player, someone who’s played for just a couple of months, and someone who’s played for a year or two (I can’t remember). I hope I like it.
that’s the app I noted above 
