History of Mahjongg
There are various theories about the history of Mahjongg but the most widely accepted is that it originated in China in the middle of the 19th century, supplanting chess as the most popular game. The word means "sparrow" and the shuffling of the tiles at the start of the game is the "twittering of sparrows". It is played with tiles, originally ivory, with three suits. Bamboos, Circles and Characters (letters of the Chinese alphabet. It included many rituals, especially at the start of the game, such as the building of the Great Wall with the tiles closely fitting to keep out the evil spirits.
The game was adopted by the Americans in about 1920 and although the basic principles remained the same, the rules were adapted in various ways. Each country where it is played tend to have various differences of rules and sometimes methods and there are many books and rule books as a result.
The game was adopted by the Americans in about 1920 and although the basic principles remained the same, the rules were adapted in various ways. Each country where it is played tend to have various differences of rules and sometimes methods and there are many books and rule books as a result.