Happy Father’s Day!

(This photo has been published with the permission of its owner and MJ player Rod!)

We dedicated our May Newsletter to the celebration of Mother’s Day, so it seems appropriate that we celebrate Father’s Day this month. We know that Mah Jongg isn’t just a game for females; males play too.
There was even a Broadway play, “The Men of Mah Jongg” by Richard Atkins. The story revolves around the relationship of four elderly Jewish men who are experiencing the challenges of aging. Shortly after one of the men is widowed, he receives a package, presumably ordered by his late wife, which contains a CD with instructions on playing Mah Jongg. The widower considers this a sign from his wife and convinces his friends to learn and play Mah Jongg, instead of their weekly poker games.

The exact number of male Mah Jongg players isn’t readily available. Women players clearly outnumber men. Many Mah Jongg groups throughout the United States report having men in their crowd. We have many male subscribers at MahJonggMentor.com. Mah Jongg instructors report that the men in their classes seem to learn the game quickly.  Maybe the tide is changing. I’ve spoken with many women who are hoping their husbands will learn to play the game, myself included. Perhaps our reasons for teaching the men to play aren’t entirely altruistic. After all, if our spouses play it increases the player pool and likelihood that we can play more often!

To all male Mah Jongg players, we salute you. May the Jokers be with you!