A Beginner's Guide to American Mah Jongg

Very helpful for beginners, step by step how to learn the game & its history. Especially understanding Charlestons & The Wall

If you're intent on learning how to play Mah Jongg, this book is a great help. Yes, you can learn from other players, but if you still need remedial help (I did!), get this book. Author Elaine Sandberg writes plainly, in uncomplicated sentences. She has organized the chapters in the best possible way for learning. Each chapter has a summary and then a small quiz at the end. You need to do them, as they recap what you've learned and you can determine where you need to go back and re-read. Take her advice and set-up the hands. It will familiarize you with the various possibilities. I took it a step further. I set-up hands using this year's card (not the dated one she supplies at the back of her book). Then using the method she recommends (position tiles on rack by suits and numbers first, in ascending order; then look at the card, finding which section is the most opportune one with which to play your hand), choose the hand you want to play. I did this, but with a variation. I asked a knowledgeable Mah Jongg friend to come over and look at the four racks I'd set-up. I then explained to her why I chose to play the hands I'd selected. She listened, and then either agreed, or pointed out different ways to look at the tiles and play a different hand. Sometimes, it was within the same section, sometimes not. Using the book and a friend's help makes the lessons even more meaningful. The most important lessons I gleaned are: how to set-up the rack (to better select the hands); familiarize yourself with the 50 different possible hands; and (for a beginner) do not change hands mid-game. Allowing yourself to lose only strengthens your play, by seeing a hand through to its end. After you have gained confidence, try to switch hands if your original choice isn't working for you. Aside from Ms. Sandberg's book, the next best advice I can give you for learning is to play with kind, non-threatening players. Seasoned, no-nonsense, cutthroat players will not be patient and you will quickly become a Mah Jongg drop-out. My group is patient, willing to teach, and helps me to re-hash each hand I play at the end of every game. They are encouraging, supportive, and kind. Without them--and the book, I would have given up months ago. Really. So, get A Beginner's Guide to American Mah Jongg.

Short and sweet. Perfect info for beginners.

This is a very helpful book for beginners. I bought the kindle version and I wish I had not. I think this type of manual would be better suited as a paper book to go back in pages for easy reference.

Good beginner's guide. Steps you through the process carefully and explains game play well.

Great introduction to the complexities of Mah Jongman. I had been learning under the tutelage of friends. They were very helpful and encouraging. I highly recommend this book. I won my first two games (without a coach) of Mah Jongman right after reading this book.

Well written and easy to look up needed information while playing.

I loved this book and learned a lot. It was the perfect first step to playing, which is a process.