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Play American Mah Jongg!
The Perfect Introduction to Mah Jongg:
Asia’s Most Popular Game
Elaine Sandberg
TUTTLE Publishing
Tokyo | Rutland, Vermont | Singapore
The Tuttle Story: “Books to Span the East and West”
Most people are surprised to learn that the world’s largest publisher of books on Asia had its humble beginnings in the tiny American state of Vermont. The company’s founder, Charles E. Tuttle, belonged to a New England family steeped in publishing. And his first love was naturally books—especially old and rare editions.
Immediately after WW II, serving in Tokyo under General Douglas MacArthur, Tuttle was tasked with reviving the Japanese publishing industry. He later founded the Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Company, which thrives today as one of the world’s leading independent publishers.
Though a westerner, Tuttle was hugely instrumental in bringing a knowledge of Japan and Asia to a world hungry for information about the East. By the time of his death in 1993, Tuttle had published over 6,000 books on Asian culture, history and art—a legacy honored by the Japanese emperor with the “Order of the Sacred Treasure,” the highest tribute Japan can bestow upon a non-Japanese.
With a backlist of 1,500 titles, Tuttle Publishing is more active today than at any time in its past—inspired by Charles Tuttle’s core mission to publish fine books to span the East and West and provide a greater understanding of each.
Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
Copyright © 2007, 2010
by Elaine Sandberg
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.
CIP data in process.
ISBN 978-0-8048-4319-5
ISBN 978-1-4629-1641-2 (ebook)
Distributed by:
North America, Latin America & Europe
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive
North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436 U.S.A.
Tel: 1 (802) 773-8930
Fax: 1 (802) 773-6993
[email protected] www.tuttlepublishing.com
Asia Pacific
Berkeley Books Pte. Ltd.
61 Tai Seng Avenue #02-12
Singapore 534167
Tel: (65) 6280-1330
Fax: (65) 6280-6290
[email protected] www.periplus.com
15 14 13 12 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
1207CT
Printed in Hong Kong
TUTTLE PUBLISHING® is a registered trademark of Tuttle Publishing, a division of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
What Is Mah Jongg? Introduction to the Game
Unraveling the Mystery of the Tiles
Quiz and Answers
Cracking the Code
Quiz and Answers
Construction Project: The Wall
Quiz and Answers
What Do I Do Now? How to Select Your Hand
Exercise: Select Your Hand
Cha, Cha, Charleston
Quiz and Answers
The Play’s the Thing
Exercise: Solitaire Mah Jongg
Quiz and Answers
Play to Win: Strategies
Strategy Practice and Answers
What Is Mah Jongg? Introduction to the Game
