Ok, so there's not much weather for outdoor Golf in NW Indiana in the Winter unless you go to Rio's Indoor Golf Experience (which I do) or take chipping/putting lessons with the Women's Golf Pro at the indoor range (which I plan to do:)
So the Ladies Golf League I belong to started meeting every week for lunch followed by a couple hours of sheer
BRAIN EXERCISE playing the ancient Chinese game of Mahjong (those of you who remember learning how to play know exactly what I'm talking about here).
Upon Hearing I played this difficult game of skill, strategy and luck..... Jeff's Grandmother (who lives in Florida) informed me that she played Mahjong back in the 1940's!!!... and it is still very popular worldwide -she even started playing again this year!
My first game recount= I encountered alittle beginners luck:) I rolled the dice to be EAST (and had the privilege to start) - but it wasn't an advantage for me to have the extra tile because I didn't really know what I was doing LOL. The tiles I selected in the first draw revealed 3 jokers (wild cards) ( wow the ladies said - that's really lucky) and then I picked another Joker in the draw!!! I was 2 tiles away from a winning combination - but alas - luck does not replace lack of knowledge of all the rules and quick strategy thinking needed to be successful at this game that originated 500 years before Christianity (WOW) ...
I learned a few important strategies during this 1st game....
- Don't set your tiles out with a partial sequence (Exposed Hand) if it has a Joker if you don't have to (it allows your opponents to swap out a matching tile and take that Joker to help their hand :)
- Be alert for what tile you need at all times to complete a hand.If your opponent happens to discard the tile you need, be quick to claim it or else it is dead for future use (if you realize it late after another player has completed their turn)!
I had a blast and can't wait till next week to learn more. I took the game rules and 2007 winning round combinations home to study as I I did not lay eyes on them prior to playing my first game!
I survived the experience with encouraging coaching and 'as you go' instructions from friends:)
Any tips for this beginner ?.....from seasoned Mahjong players out there? LOL
Sincerely,
Grace Safrin
Jeff & Grace Safrin
"Spouses Selling Houses"TM
F.C.Tucker Advantage Realty
Serving Lake, Porter, La Porte, Jasper & Newton Counties in NW Indiana
Visit our Website @ http://www.safrin.net/ or click our BLOG link below for community and property info in NW IN.
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Sincerely,
Jeff & Grace Safrin, Broker / Owners
F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate
13 Lincolnway Suite # 203
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Office # 219-309-9930
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1st of all....thanks to all for taking time to stop by and comment...your time & input is appreciated :)
Hello Elizabeth - It is intriguing and calls for strategy and quick thinking - you and your husband would enjoy it!
Hello Carole- Yes I am in the learning stage - you should play on-line or join a group locally - it is definitely brain exercise :)
Hello Kay- Actually I read Mahjong was brought to the US in the 1920"s LOL - I've never played on-line ( no time and I prefer the social setting :) glad you enjoy it! I'm looking forward to learning more about it.
Sincerely to all,
Grace