Three Dragons and a Flower Pot

Brian Grenenger

Brian Grenenger has been playing mahjong since he was five years old. A popular game in his family he learned by watching his parents play. Now he teaches the game to others.

There are basically two different types of mahjong—the traditional Old Chinese game and the more complex modern American version. Brian teaches both kinds and said you can learn to play the traditional game in less than an hour.

Often played as a gambling game, mahjong is equally enjoyable when played for counters or match sticks. There is no gambling on any of the games played at U3A but this in no way lessens the excitement or interest.

Essentially mahjong works like this. Each player receives thirteen tiles at the beginning of a game and takes turns drawing an extra tile before discarding one from the hand. The aim is to get combinations of three chows (runs) or pungs (three of a kind) plus a pair. The chows or pungs must be made up of the same suit (bamboos, circles, characters). There are also tiles representing dragons (red, white, green), flower pots or seasons, and wins.

Sounds complicated? Nonsense! It sounds intriguing—and mahjong is so easy to learn that one of Brian's students said she has taught her grand children to play.

Of course if the game was so simple it would never have captured the imagination of millions of adherents, and as you learn to play you will develop all sorts of tactical skills.

A single game of mahjong can take anything from two to fifteen minutes to play and Brian said that if you are familiar with Rummy you would already have the basis for understanding mahjong.

The mahjong class is held at the Penrith School of Arts every Wednesday from 1.00 - 3.00 and usually attracts between thirteen and sixteen people. Why not come along and see if you enjoy it?

If you would like to discuss the course with Brian you can get his phone number from U3A's Penrith office by CLICKING HERE.