Staci Hicks, left, owner of Romance Landia book store in Centreville hosts Mahjong nights twice a month as one of the store’s social gatherings. (Photo courtesy Romance Landia)

Looking for a trendy and social hobby, but maybe not ready to brave pickleball? A bruise-free alternative is trying out the game Mahjong.
As with many things, everything old is new again.
In Mahjong’s case, very old, with a start that dates back hundreds of years ago in China.
The game has traveled and surged in popularity several times, it’s most notable stint in the United States being in the 1920s.
Like any game or hobby, at first it’s going to seem like they are talking a different language — and while in this case they are — most players report it’s a game of skill and luck that is easy to pick up. It is a unique game, but is most often compared to rummy.
To get started, the biggest investment is the Mahjong set itself.
The set will include at least 136 tiles, with 152 or 160 being more common in American sets. Many will also include dice and tile racks and other accessories.
The National Mahjong League, formed in 1937, recognizes American, South African, Vietnamese, Singaporean, Malaysian, European and Dutch amongst other versions of play.
Variances between them are mostly the number of tiles used and other slight rule shifts.
The biggest difference in American from traditional versions is the use of the joker, so make sure you are noting the version when purchasing.
A basic set will do fine to get you started, or an even more budget friendly option to dip your toes in is a card set before investing in tiles, though you won’t get that satisfying clicking sound.
Beyond that, there is indeed a rabbit hole of elevated ceramic tiles and high end designer playing mats.
A fun scroll online will show you vibrant and refined seating parlors but a few chairs pulled around a table do just fine until you really become a Mahjong tile shark!
Next, grab your friends. Mahjong is typically played in a group of four, though a pair or threesome could play with adjusted guidelines.
As you get going, you’ll note there are five tile types, with Bamboo, Character and Dots being the main “money” suits.
The other types are Honor tiles, divided into Dragon and Wind, and Flower tiles.
The goal is to make “melds,” which are Pong with three identical tiles, a Kong or Gong with four identical tiles and a Chow or Chi, three tiles belonging to the same suit, in sequence. The player who can get the required tile combinations of 14 tiles first achieves “Majhong” and wins the game.
Tiles can be gotten through passing between players in the “Charleston” round and then again by drawing and discarding clockwise around the table.
Have little ones as your gaming group? Look for junior sets, such as Mini Mahjer, with simplified combos and extra instruction.
Of course, as with almost any game, there’s a version online where you can also practice and play solo.
While not hard, help always helps! Ask around at the holidays to see if there are any friends or family members who could take you under their wing.
There are also tutors that will come out to your group to help you pick it up.
Chances are if you reach out in your local neighborhood group on social media, you’ll turn up a tutor or a group already playing.
For your first few games, printing out a quick tip or daresay “cheat sheet” would be useful for all at the table to refer to.
One local group already playing is at Romance Landia, Centreville’s bookstore off of Banjo Lane, soon celebrating a year of business.
As part of their social offerings, the shop hosts Mahjong nights twice a month, typically on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. They started their group with an instructor but players quickly picked it up.
“We started with an event where we brought in an instructor and the girls quickly grew to love it. It’s the perfect game for lovers of rummy and dominos,” said owner Staci Hicks.
Looking for other fun? Follow them on Facebook for other events, and book clubs to get your mind moving.