Anticipation, anticipation
Is making me late
Is keeping me waiting…
Those of us of a certain age surely remember Carly Simon’s song “Anticipation”. The lyrics were later used during a commercial for a brand name ketchup. But at this time of year, Mah Jongg players aren’t thinking so much about ketchup; we are anticipating the arrival of the new Mah Jongg card.

The new card is sometimes referred to as the “Great Equalizer”. Novice players generally have two disadvantages, both comprehending the patterns on the card and learning strategies to play well. Although experience is still a factor, beginning play with a new card with new patterns to decipher and learn puts most Mah Jongg player on an even keel each spring.

Every year there are some hands that remain the same from the previous year. Frequently hands disappear and resurface two or three years later. Occasionally the same hand carries over from the previous year but changes from “open” to “concealed”.

Playing with the 2014 card for nearly a year, we have all developed an affinity for certain card sections or certain hands. We have our favorite hands and those we generally avoid. Some players track which hands they have won on that year’s card. We know this will happen again with the new card.

Sometime in the next few weeks we will receive our new cards and start comparing them to those from previous years. The new card will be a major topic for discussion at Mah Jongg games, with opinions flying about particular sections or hands.

Ah, anticipation. I’m finding it difficult to wait.