HOW TO TEACH WRIGHT-PATTERSON MAH JONGG (ARTICLE 257)

Wright-Patterson Mah Jongg (WPMJ) is a distinctive version of the game originally developed by spouses stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. This instructional guide outlines practical ways to teach the game, whether through memorization, structured progression, or a comprehensive approach using the official Green Book. It also highlights valuable teaching aids, video lessons, and online communities to support both instructors and students in preserving and enjoying this unique style of play.

Setup

Place the player’s racks on the table as normal, but play open-handed using the tops of the racks for the lesson so the players can benefit from group instruction.

Place the tiles right side up in the center of the table:

SEATING

When players arrive, introduce yourself and have each player share briefly about their interest in the game.  If a player has previous experience with any form of the game, emphasize that there is one teacher – you! Explain that because of the methods used in this lesson plan, multiple teachers could complicate the process.

It’s highly recommended to register players in multiples of four and have an assistant for every additional eight players. When you teach something new, use the buddy system to condense the class. If you’re teaching eight people, it will feel like you’re teaching four, and the students still receive full attention, but they work as partners. Be sure to include in your lesson description that there will be teamwork to manage expectations. At the first session, ask everyone to find a buddy. Then, when you teach someone new, say “buddy up” and have two people sit on each side of the table. When closed play begins, have the players sit in their seats at separate tables. 

LESSON

The methods used below have been designed to teach players the game’s components in a steady progression, allowing most of them to absorb the information without feeling overwhelmed. Teach in 30-minute intervals, separated by a 5- to 10-minute break.

Since the exercises build on one component to the next, you must follow the lesson plan in order- do not skip steps. The process can typically be completed in an hour if you keep players on task.   The following are the goals of each step in the lesson plan with the Green Book as the source:

• Step 1 Instructor Background
• Step 2 Game History
• Step 3 Wright-Patterson Green Book (walk-through of the format)
• Step 4 Tiles (Figure 1.1 Tile Layout)
• Step 5 Modeling Exercises I (pre-select a different hand for each player to create based on the description, and talk through each one)
  • Set Modeling (introduce concepts of singles, pairs, pungs, and kongs with select hands)
  • Suit Modeling (introduce suit combinations by creating select Pairs and Sequence hands, and talk through each one)
    • One Suit
    • Mixed Suits
    • One Suit with Corresponding Dragons
    • Mixed Suits with Opposite Dragons
• Step 6 Modeling Exercises II
  • Category Modeling (practice suit combinations by creating select Jewel and Chinese Tea hands, and talk through each one)
  • Random Modeling (introduce hand selection skills; draw 13 tiles, identify the strength of the hand, then identify a category or hand to focus on)
• Step 7 Charleston (explain the purpose, and walk through the process)
• Step 8 Game Set Up (walk through the process of building the walls, rolling the dice to identify the prevailing wind, creating the flower wall, and dealing the tiles)
• Step 9 Play (three open hands with coaching)
• Step 10 Basic Strategy (e.g., identifying the strength of the hand, hand selection, hand development, defense)
• Step 11 Scoring (e.g., read through scoring, then do examples similar to what is described in the back of the green book)

Here are examples of how you can schedule sessions using this lesson plan:

Remedial Option Using a Progressive Approach

Mah jongg is a complex game. Students who have a love for games, especially card games, typically learn how to play the game quickly. Students who don’t play games tend to have a longer and steeper learning curve. If any of your students are overwhelmed playing the game, consider sharing a progressive approach to the categories on the card. Recommend that they start playing categories with simple hands, then progress to categories with more challenging hands. When they are comfortable with that category, add another. Be sure to follow up with these students to encourage them through their journey to master the card. Here is the recommended progression:

• Basic
  • Pair Hands
  • Sequence Hands
  • Chinese Tea Hands
  • Jewel Hands
• Intermediate
  • Gate Hands
  • Number Hands
• Advanced
  • Mixed Suits
  • Hands of Honors
  • Novelty Hands

Teaching as a New Player

You can teach others how to play even as a beginner if you are confident about these mah jongg fundamentals.

• Game Setup
• How to pick a hand
• The Charleston
• Picking. discarding and making exposures
• Scoring

Also, you should use a proven methodology and provide next-step resources so players know where to go to continue learning more about the game.

1. Include a disclaimer in your introduction stating that you’re new to the game and will be teaching the basics.
2. Use the Green Book, an existing methodology (this article), or create your own lesson plan.
3. Share rules precisely as printed in the Green Book.
4. Provide a handout with resources or send an email with resources for the next step. Consider Direct links to WPMJ YouTube videos (Article 196)
5. Follow up with players to check their progress and remind them to continue their learning using the provided next-step resources.