Snippet 20241229 December Highlights and Future Happenings
Mahj Life Snippets is my version of a blog post. On the last Sunday of each month, a new one will be posted with this month’s highlights and future happenings. An email blast will notify subscribers any time a new snippet is published. If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe by clicking the button below!
The schedule for recurring YouTube videos and livestreams is published on the events page.
This Month’s Highlights
Community NEWS
The National Mah Jongg League publishes an annual bulletin and sends it by snail mail to customers who bought the card directly through them. Customers who placed orders with a card collector for their selected charities are also on the mailing list. Some players have received the 2025 bulletin. When you get your bulletin, read the Q&A section carefully because there are several issues. If you have not received you bulletin, here is a file with screenshots: https://www.facebook.com/groups/michelefrizzell/permalink/2276597326045382
For clarity, here are answers to some of the questions in my own words:
- Q1: If a player picks from the wall and is interrupted by a call for the previous discard, then buries the tile in the wall, the player can be disqualified. The tile should be returned to its original place. If the wall is disturbed to a point where the tile cannot be found, all tiles must be thrown in to start a new game. Don’t mess with the zen in the wall!
- Q2: A player is committed to giving a pass as-is if they pick up their incoming pass.
- Q8: When two players claim a discard for the same reason, the player next in turn gets the tile. If one player wants the discard for an exposure and one wants it for mah jongg, the player who declares mah jongg gets the tile. Sometimes, the player next in turn is not paying attention, and another player takes reasonable action (e.g., no rushing the play; slamming). If this happens, it’s too late for the player next in turn.
- Q10: A discarded joker cannot be claimed for any reason.
- Q13: A player CAN change the number (e.g., pung to kong, kong to pung) and type of tile (e.g., symbol tile, jokers) in a new exposure. The new exposure CANNOT be changed if the player completes a joker exchange or they discard.
YouTube Channel
Consider joining as a channel member to show your support and enjoy perks! Read more on the Get Involved page.
Channel Members… if you would like to help in another way, consider joining the Mod Squad to help moderate live chat. Learn More!
Let’s Play Livestream Schedule (Eastern Time)
National Mah Jongg League – Gameplay with commentary
| 1:00 – 3:00 PM | 6:00 – 7:00 PM | 7:00 – 9:00 PM | |
| Monday | NITTY-GRITTY* | ||
| Tuesday | OBSESSED** | ||
| Wednesday | MEMBERS ONLY** | ||
| Thursday | BEAT THE PRO CHALLENGE*** | ||
| Friday | SIMPLY SOCIAL | BEAT THE PRO CHALLENGE*** |
*American Mah Jongg Skills and Strategies Matrix (AMJ S2 Matrix) 16-week topic rotation by episode (Article 210)
**Available to channel members. Learn more…
***Beat the Pro is a challenge for competitive players. Anyone who wins at the table is eligible to participate in exclusive mini-tournaments. Learn more…
Wright-Patterson Mah Jongg
The online game for Wright-Patterson Mah Jongg players has been released for public beta testing! If you want to try it, you must register because it is a separate platform: https://wpmahjongg.com/#/. If you use Facebook, please consider joining this group to communicate with the developer and players: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3113000165510306/. Please post issues and feature requests on the Facebook group or directly email [email protected].
WPMJ Nitty-Gritty Let’s Play Livestream will resume when the platform officially launches. They will occur on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 PM Eastern Time on the Mahj Life YouTube channel https://studio.youtube.com/channel/@MAHJLIFE
Mod Squad
If you want to help monitor chat during livestreams, consider volunteering as a moderator. Click to apply!
Competitions (NEW)
Mahj Life competitions are held on the Mahjong Time platform, drawing top players from the American mah jongg community. These high-stakes events showcase remarkable skill and exciting matchups as contestants compete for a spot in the winner’s circle. The results are broadcast on YouTube, allowing fans to follow the action in real time and interact with commentators.
INVITATIONAL Mini-Tournament (November)
Speaking GIGs
12/03/2024 IN-PERSON GIG Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS in La Jolla, CA; Learn-Lunch-Play with Michele Frizzell
12/05/2024 IN-PERSON GIG Merage JCC in Irvine, CA; Mah Jongg Day with Michele Frizzell and Holiday Boutique
If you want to see videos of past events, please visit Michele’s Speaking Engagements page.
Instructor Guild
New Members
The Mahj Life Instructor Guild is growing! Heartfelt thanks and shoutout to our new members:
If you are new to mah jongg or already know how to play and just want to build your skills search the directory to find an instructor near you!
If you are an aspiring or current instructor, consider joining the guild!
New Content
Merit Program for Instructors
The Merit Program for Instructors (MPI) is designed to provide a means for American mah jongg instructors to test their knowledge of the game with the potential to earn microcredentials.
MPI AMJ Quest Strategy Trek has been published and is open for enrollment.
Microbadges Earned
- NONE THIS MONTH
Congratulations to these instructors for their achievements!
If you are an aspiring or current instructor, consider joining the Mahj Life Instructor Guild to participate in the Merit Program for Instructors and demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an American Mah Jongg instructor.
Changes to the Wiki
NONE THIS MONTH
Updated
NONE THIS MONTH
New letters in Dear Hoptoi
I got doxed! (Letter 8)
If you need practical advice to help you resolve an awkward or challenging situation, send a letter today! https://mahjlife.com/dear-hoptoi/
New Merch
Check out this index to find merch that resonates with you: https://mahjlife.com/merch-index/
Future Happenings
Speaking GIGs
February 2025
02/14-16/2025 IN-PERSON All-Inclusive Weekend Getaway Stone Mountain, GA
Title: All-Inclusive Social Mah Jongg Retreat
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/in-person-mah-jongg-maven-weekend-retreat-2025/
March 2025
03/23/2025 IN-PERSON Lunch and Learn Game Day Milwaukee, WI
Title: Lunch and Learn Game Day
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/in-person-milwaukee-jcc-learn-lunch-play/
December 2025
12/04/2025 IN-PERSON GIG Merage JCC in Irvine, CA
Title: Mah Jongg Day with Michele Frizzell and Holiday Boutique
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/in-person-gig-irvine-ca-merage-jcc-mah-jongg-day-with-michele-frizzell-and-holiday-boutique-2025/