Mahjong at the Beach Sports Club, Wednesdays

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE WINDY CHOWS

What a glorious morning. I only won one game this morning but I was playing with three lovely ladies (different to last week) all of whom know more winning hand combinations than I. I did win one game with a Crazy Chow but lost to Five Odd Honours, Little Brother, Little Joe, Gertie’s Garter, Three Philosophers and Robin to name just a few. I was attempting a Triple South but just like last week in the Triple North I was trying out, I punged my Dragons instead of leaving them as a pair and left myself in dire straits with a hand I just couldn’t make into a winning one. Why do I jump the gun? When will I learn?

This week amongst the shiny shoes and well coiffured hair styles, I had the pleasure to play in a quartet with Lily. She’s been in Australia for years but has still has an exquisite posh Bristol accent. Perhaps a parent was a Ten Pound Pom. Perhaps she was, although she doesn’t look THAT old. A Ten Pound Pom is an English person who came over to emigrate to Australia for the grand cost of ten pounds (sterling).

What I adore about her are two things. 1. Her sunny disposition. 2. The noises she makes. Yes, I wrote that down correctly. All moves around the table are punctuated by Lily’s sighs or little groans as the game doesn’t seem to go her way or when someone discards a tile she wants. And it ranges from sighs, humming and little squeaks and mumbles. All with a smile on her face. All in the enjoyment of the game but she is completely unaware of the orchestral effects she contributes to the playing. Mind you, I wouldn’t change her. Not one bit. She is a delightful human being and this is merely an idiosyncrasy of hers. Let’s face it, we all have something quirky about each of us.

However, I am beginning to wonder whether this is just a lovely ruse to put me off, make me laugh and lose my concentration because she always wins more games than I do when we play together. So imagine the scene, me trying to look serious and Lily emitting squeaks and noises in response to each player’s moves. And she wins. ‘Did I win on a Windy Chow?’ She asks innocently…Hmmm, Cunning, Methinks. But for once the tiles were not in her favour a second time. She did sneak a Three Philosophers in after that. Brilliant playing.

I was amazed to be nearly fishing with my Five Odd Honours, as being in a quartet makes it harder to complete long runs of numbers. But needles to say, this lass was beaten again.

THOUGHT TO SELF:- I have a spare Mahjong set (without blanks) I am going to donate to a pensioner’s games club to spread the love around.

On my way out of the Sports Club, I saw one of my favourite players sitting out of the games, resting near to the door due to being in considerable physical pain and unable to play. She said that’s the price of old age. I wish I could take the pain away. This week turning 54, I might have felt old to be on the way to 60 but these pensioner friends of mine keep me young and sharp instead of feeling over it and becoming complacent and lazy. They are a source of constant inspiration and good vibes. So I’m thanking all the mumbles and grumbles and squeaks and squawks today. It warmed my heart. I made me see myself in years to come with my own idiosyncrasies, hopefully winning more hands.

Favourite hand of the week is Gertie’s Garter. I remember it as two garters - one for each leg - 2 runs of 1-7 in different suits.

Tip of the Week is to avoid building hands with long runs when playing a game with four players. They are less likely to be achieved as there are fewer tiles to choose from. Oh and don’t pung Dragons which need to remain as a pair.

For your reference here are some of the hands from this week.

Crazy Chow - four mixed chows and a knitted pair

Windy Chow - ESWN plus a chow in each suit and an extra wind

Five Odd Honours - Five different honour tiles plus run of a single suit 1-9

Little Joe - A Chow in each suit, a mixed Chow and a pair of Winds

Little Robert - A Chow in each suit, a pung and a pair in any suit.

Gertie’s Garter - Two runs of 1-7 in different suits

Robin - a Chow in each suit, an extra Chow and a pair (not the extra suit)

Triple South - a Pung of South Winds, A pung in each suit and a pair of Green Dragons

Three Philosophers - a Chow in each suit with a mixed Chow and a pair in any suit

Ordinary Mahjong- Four pungs and a pair (one suit only with Dragons and Winds allowed

I’m playing again tomorrow but that session is more for learning new hands than playing for winning hands.

Have a lovely week and thanks for all the birthday wishes. Xx