The Chinese game of mahjong is having a moment. While its history goes back nearly two centuries, including in some American communities, during the last few years a whole new audience has developed an interest in the game, creating “mahjong mania.”
Mahjong was at the center of a pivotal scene in the blockbuster 2018 hit “Crazy Rich Asians.” While playing mahjong, the main character, Rachel Chu, talks about learning the game from her mother, who immigrated from China to the United States: “She told me it would teach me important life skills: negotiation, strategy, cooperation.”
Like other games that combine skill and chance, mahjong is a game that, once learned, invites a lifetime of enjoyment. And whether you call it mahjong, mah jong, mah jongg, or just mahj, it’s a game that brings together families, forges new friendships, and helps keep your brain active…