GROUP CULTURE – FRIENDLY GAME VS PLAYING BY THE RULES (Article 149)

Mah jongg is a 14-tile melding game where players use critical thinking, situational awareness, and social acuity skills to be the first to complete a winning hand. By its nature of being a game, some level of competition exists. Rules are put in place to ensure the integrity of the game and to create fairness for all players. Without rules, chaos and conflict ensue. Each group is autonomous, so it is up to the members to decide on those expectations, including the rules, penalties, sportsmanship, and logistics.

The National Mah Jongg League rules are intended for social games (i.e., friendly). However, some groups want excitement, so they add variations to enhance the game, and some groups prefer a strategic game, so they appreciate exacting rules. Regardless of how the rules are observed,  players should know all of the rules before the game starts. The following are common group cultures based on how rules are followed:

• Legacy – play by NMJL rules using rules that have been revoked (i.e., picking ahead, playing with futures)
• Casual – play by NMJL rules with leniency (i.e., forgiving mistakes)
• Formal – play by NMJL rules, strictly (i.e., no house rules or legacy rules)
• Enhanced – play by NMJL rules with house rules that encourage defensive play (i.e. hot wall, cold wall), inflate hand values (i.e., rolling doubles=double value), or add variations (i.e., Atomic)
• Competition – play by tournament rules (Mah Jongg Madness tournament rules)

If you are joining a group for the first time, ask about their group culture and if they play by house rules.

If you’re part of an existing group, discuss its culture and identify the aspects that resonate most with your members. Embracing a shared culture will help attract like-minded players, foster a healthy dynamic, and ensure the group’s longevity.

If you’re starting a new group, define its culture and core values from the outset. A clear vision will attract like-minded players, create a strong foundation, and set the stage for a thriving community.

A charter should be in place for large or public drop-in groups to manage expectations.