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This group is for people who want to play, might want to play, or want to learn to play Japanese Mahjong.

Mahjong is a card game (using colorful tiles) originating from China and similar to Rummy. In the early 20th Century, the game spread out across the world where it has been modified for local tastes. In the United States, the National Mah Jongg League maintains the rules for American Mahjong, which differ in significant ways from the versions played in Asia.

This group is not for American Mahjong.

Rather, this group is for Japanese or "Riichi" Mahjong, which has become more widely known in the West thanks to video games such as Sega's Yakuza franchise, as well as manga that has been translated into English and published in the U.S. There is also the European Mahjong Association, which uses the Riichi rules. Compared to other Asian forms of Mahjong, Japanese Mahjong can be considered a "defensive" game, especially rewarding patience, forward planning and knowing when to fold.

No prior familiarity with any kind of Mahjong is required. We love the game and are eager to teach people how to play. No Japanese language proficiency is required - we use English in this group.

If you were ever curious what game those old men are playing at the dim sum restaurant, or you saw Crazy Rich Asians and want to learn to play the game that Rachel was playing with her future mother-in-law, or just want to try out a new game that is simultaneously very popular (in Asia) and yet rather unknown (in the U.S.), join us.

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