Mahjongg group inviting players to Senior Center

BY Dawn Rankins

After months of work to get the group up and running, American and Chinese versions of the Mahjongg tile game is being played every Friday at the Canyon Lake Senior Center.

On the first Friday of every month, Mahjongg is played from 9:00 a.m. to noon and all other Fridays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The center is inviting both experienced Mahjongg players and those wishing to learn the tile game to join the group for the games.

Melody Clark makes a move during a Mahjongg game at the Canyon Lake Senior Center, while Jenny Davis looks on. The Mahjongg Group is inviting Canyon Lakers to join them every Friday to learn how to play and participate with members in games. Photo by Dawn Rankins.

The basic game is played with three to four players, using 144 tiles with the goal being to get a Mahjongg, which consists of getting all 14 of a player’s tiles into four sets and one pair.

Mahjongg is a traditional game that was established in China about 100 years ago and gets its name from the sound of a bird, according to the etymology of the game. It is said that the clacking of the game tiles during shuffling resembles the chattering of sparrows.

The group met for the first time on Friday and will be playing again today at 1:00 p.m. Both the American and Chinese versions are being played.

“Come out and give Mahjongg a try,” Teresa Fidler of the group said. “Bring a drink and snack if you like and join in the fun.”

“All adults are welcome to give their skills a try,” the group’s Melody Clark said. “Laughter and fun are encouraged, along with the making of new friends.”

For questions about the group, call Teresa at 858-784-1560 or Melody at 949-370-4401.