We’ve seen our grandparents play Mahjong when we were little. Now, it seems to be back in the scene with events and clubs gaining visibility. It is, in fact, popular.
So, what is this game exactly? And why is it back?
Mahjong is a tile-based game that originated in China in the early 19th century. In Chinese, it translates to sparrows, whose chattering sound is mimicked by the game’s tiles when it’s shuffled. The basic idea of Mahjong is simple: drawing and discarding tiles to build a winning pattern — otherwise known as a “hand” — before the other players do. Major international and world-level mahjong tournaments include the World Riichi Championship (Japanese Rules) and the Destination Mah Jongg (American Rules).
With people looking for more ways to socialize offline and unplug, Mahjong has gained a new generation of audiences, who appreciate the strategy and thrill that comes with playing it. In popular culture, celebrities like Julia Roberts and Sarah Jessica Parker have spoken about playing the game. Other countries like Singapore, report that their intergenerational mahjong programs have become popular enough that in some cases, community sessions require balloting because of excess in capacity. On the other hand, in the Philippines, Mahjong has gained a significant presence, with social clubs and events getting the attention of people who go “go out and chill”.
The rising interest is something even the popular Mahjong Maven Club did not expect. “We were surprised how responsive the crowd is to our event,” co-founder Sheena Lim told PhilSTAR Life. What they initially imagined as quarterly gatherings soon became monthly, and eventually every-other-week events drawing around 40 to 50 players. It is interesting to know from the interview that 60 to 90 percent of Mahjong Maven Club’s attendees are beginners. The appeal appears to go beyond simply learning the game. As co-founder Sharlene Lim puts it, “It’s actually a good way to connect both generations”—bringing an old tradition into a new social setting.
Mahjong and the City: Mixing Laid Back Vibes with Urban Energy
On a grander scale, The City of Dreams, Alike Media, and Mahjong Maven Club are bringing Mahjong into a massive social setting, complete with good music and great food. Entitled Mahjong and the City, the event offers a whole new experience, mixing the grandeur and modern elements of the city, with the laid-back, social vibe of Mahjong.
If you’re looking for an exciting new way to unwind and meet new people, this might be the thing you’ve been waiting for. Dress up, prep your game, and enjoy a night of fun, new experiences, and glamour. You deserve it after all that grinding.
Looking at how things are unfolding, it looks like the thrill and curiosity surrounding Mahjong are just beginning. Whether it’s in your living room, a restaurant, or an event, Mahjong is a unique way of bringing people together. For a few good minutes, or even hours, you get to enjoy the company, the game, and even the thrill of screaming, “Majhong!” when you win.
Alike was created to inspire, built on society and storytelling — from curating the best features of the country’s brightest luminaries and orchestrating events catered towards the country’s top, to showcasing the finest gems in art, lifestyle, and culture.
Alike is the next generation: the movers, the shakers of today.
We are Alike.
