In China, mahjong is not just a game, but also a deeply ingrained cultural symbol that carries the weight of history and the wisdom of the people. Whether in the bustling tea houses of the city or in the peaceful courtyards of the countryside, the sound of mahjong is always heard one after another, forming an indispensable part of Chinese social life. This article will delve into this unique cultural phenomenon from four aspects: the origin of mahjong, how to play mahjong, the benefits of playing mahjong, and how to play mahjong healthily.
1、 The origin of mahjong: historical context and cultural accumulation
There is no consensus in academia regarding the origin of mahjong, but several mainstream theories point to ancient China. One viewpoint suggests that mahjong originated from ancient leaf games or horse hanging cards, which gradually integrated cultural characteristics from various regions over a long period of evolution, ultimately forming the basic framework of modern mahjong. Another theory emphasizes the connection between mahjong and Zheng He’s voyages to the West, believing that certain elements in mahjong (such as “bars,” “cakes,” “ten thousand,” etc.) are related to maritime navigation and trade activities, and were invented by members of Zheng He’s fleet to relieve boredom during their long journey.
Regardless of the statement, it cannot be denied that mahjong has absorbed rich cultural connotations and historical heritage during its development in China. It is not only the crystallization of wisdom, but also the inheritance of culture. On the mahjong tiles, we can see natural elements such as flowers, birds, insects, fish, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, as well as directional and wind direction signs such as “mid white” and “southeast northwest”, all of which reflect the Chinese people’s reverence for the natural world and understanding of the order of the universe.
2、 How to play mahjong: the interweaving of rules and techniques
The basic rules of playing mahjong are relatively simple, but to become a master, one needs to master certain skills and strategies. Here is a detailed introduction on how to play mahjong:
- Preparation stage
Firstly, it is necessary to prepare a complete set of mahjong tiles, usually consisting of 136 or 144 tiles (depending on regional rules), including three ordinal tiles of ten thousand, ten thousand, and pie, as well as two character tiles of wind and arrow. Then, determine the position of the banker and the starting hand by rolling the dice. The banker first draws the card and plays the first card, then takes turns drawing and playing in a counterclockwise direction. - Basic operations
During the process of playing mahjong, players can perform actions such as eating, touching, and playing with bars. Eating refers to the ability of the card played by the previous player to form a winning combination with the two cards in one’s own hand; Collision refers to a situation where a card played by any player can form a cut with two identical cards in their hand; Bars include open bars and hidden bars. Open bars are when you have three identical cards in your hand and then touch another card, while hidden bars are when you have four identical cards in your hand and directly draw them out. After the card is drawn, a card needs to be added from the end of the card. - Hu Pai conditions
Hu Pai is the ultimate goal of playing mahjong. According to different rules, the conditions for playing Hu cards vary, but generally require the card type in hand to meet certain combination requirements, such as four sets of face cards (Shunzi or Kezi) and a pair of general cards. When the player’s hand meets the Hu card condition, they can declare the Hu card and draw a card from the end as proof of the Hu card. - Skills and Strategies
Playing mahjong requires not only luck, but also wisdom and strategy. Players need to learn how to read cards, remember cards, and calculate cards. By observing the playing situation of other players, they can infer the card types and possible card paths in their hands. At the same time, it is also necessary to flexibly adjust the playing strategy according to one’s own card type and current situation, in order to obtain the maximum profit with the minimum cost. Secondly, how to play mahjong
Mahjong, as a four person domino game, has complex and interesting gameplay, but the basic rules are relatively simple and easy to learn. The following are the basic steps and techniques for playing mahjong: - Preparation stage
Shuffling and card building: Firstly, all the cards are shuffled and mixed, and then built into four rows in a certain order, with 17 or 18 cards in each row (depending on the specific rules). Players each grab cards from one row.
Dingzhuang and Dice Roll: By rolling the dice, the player (banker) who starts to touch the card is determined, and the starting position of the card is determined. - Touching and playing cards
Playing cards: Starting from the dealer, play cards counterclockwise one by one until each person has a certain number of cards in their hand (usually 13 or 14).
Playing: The banker plays first, and then plays in a counterclockwise direction. After playing, other players can perform actions such as eating, touching, and blocking based on the card type in their hands. - Eating, touching, and grabbing
Eating: If the card played by the previous player can form a draw with the two cards in your hand, you can eat it.
Touch: If a card played by any player can form a cross with two identical cards in their hand, they can be knocked out.
Bars: Bars are divided into visible bars and hidden bars. Minggang is when you have three identical cards in your hand and then touch another one; The hidden bar is when there are already four identical cards in hand, and they are directly drawn. After the card is drawn, a card needs to be added from the end of the card wall. - Hu Pai
Hu card conditions: According to different rules, the conditions for Hu cards may vary. But generally, it is required that the cards in hand meet certain combination requirements, such as four sets of face cards (straight or engraved) and a pair of general cards.
Hu card method: When the player’s card meets the Hu card condition, they can declare the Hu card and draw a card from the end of the card wall as proof of the Hu card. - Settlement and Village Exchange
Settlement: After playing the Hu card, settlement is made based on the method and size of the card, and the winner receives a certain score or chip.
Change of banker: After one round of the game, the next banker in the counterclockwise direction becomes the new banker and continues with the next round of the game.
Skills and Strategies
Reading cards: By observing the player’s playing and their own cards, predicting the types of cards in other players’ hands and the current trend of their cards, better decisions can be made.
Stuck card points: Keep a certain number of cards with different points in hand to make better choices when playing.
Pay attention to the order of playing: infer the purpose and trend of other players, calculate your own winning chance, and take corresponding measures.
Listening to cards and drinking from cows: Only by listening to cards can there be a possibility of winning, while drinking from cows (adding one or two pairs of cards of the same or similar size in the hand) can increase the chances of winning.
Abandoning cards: Learn to discard unnecessary cards, keep your hands clean and orderly, in order to make better decisions.
3、 The benefits of playing mahjong: a dual enjoyment of entertainment and health
Playing mahjong is not only a form of entertainment, but also has many benefits. The following is a detailed explanation of the benefits of playing mahjong:
- Relieve stress
In the fast-paced modern life, people face enormous pressure and challenges. Playing mahjong as a relaxed and enjoyable leisure activity can effectively alleviate people’s stress and anxiety. During the process of playing mahjong, people can temporarily forget their troubles and worries, focus their attention on the game, and enjoy the fun and relaxation it brings. - Promote socialization
Mahjong is a multiplayer game that requires close cooperation and communication among players. During the process of playing mahjong, people can make new friends, deepen friendships between old friends, and share happiness and joy together. This social interaction not only helps to enhance interpersonal relationships, but also improves people’s social skills and communication abilities. - Exercise thinking skills
Playing mahjong requires players to have a certain level of thinking ability and judgment. In the game, players need to constantly analyze the game, predict the opponent’s card type and possible card paths, and make the right decisions based on this. This kind of thinking training helps to improve people’s logical thinking ability and reaction speed, and also has a positive effect on preventing cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. - Enhance family harmony
In traditional Chinese culture, the family is the cornerstone and cell of society. Playing mahjong as a family entertainment activity can enhance emotional communication and interaction among family members. In leisure time, a family can sit together and play mahjong, not only enjoying the fun and relaxation of the game, but also enhancing mutual understanding and trust, creating a warm and harmonious family atmosphere.
