Mah Jongg

Mah Jongg is an intellectually challenging game

The game Mah Jongg as we know it today can only be traced back to the end of the last century. However there is an extensive line of games that eventually evolved to become this now famous one. Various card games from around 800 AD had a similar resemblance to Mah Jongg. There similarities were based on the fact that in both games you had to collect Chow, Pungs, and Kongs. The cards that were used in these games were similar to the currency used in those days. It was introduced to the West at the turn of the century. Just prior to this it appeared at the international colony of Shanghai, and then moved to the U.S.A., Japan, and eventually Europe. When the game was first introduced to the West, Rumor has it that the game was shrouded in the mists of time; however evidence points to the fact that it was originally developed in the 1800's in the Ningpo area of China. There has been a resurgence of this ever popular past time, and in recent years more people have realized what an intellectually challenging and stimulating game it really is.

There have been many theories regarding the origin of Mah Jongg. Some say it was played on Noah's Ark during the 40 days and nights of rain. This theory would suggest the game dates back to 2350 BC. Another theory suggests that Confucius, the great Chinese philosopher, had developed the game about 500 BC. Terms used to play the game included Chee, Pungs, and Kongs, which added support to this theory, seeing that Confucius was from the Kong family, and married a girl named Che, from which he adopted the term Chee.

Today after nearly 80 years of introduction to the Western world, a whole new generation is discovering "The Game Of A Hundred Intelligences". A resurgence of Mah Jongg has begun in the United States, from the popular computer solitaire games from the early 1980's, and now the introduction of subsequent versions that introduced the four player games. Player's of the computer versions are fascinated by the detailed and beauty of the hand-crafted sets of the 1920's and 1930's, and are seeking there own sets. As we enter into the new millennium a second wave of popularity has begun in the United States.

Amazon in cooperation with Toys R Us offers some excellent Mah Jongg games to suit those die hard players. Some of their selections include: The Mah Jongg Master Deluxe Suite, which includes two products, the solitaire version, plus seven additional mini games. It comes with 389 3D rendered tile sets, 261 distinctive tile layouts, and over 1400 backgrounds. This great product features 10 complete and exciting games each with their own set of rules.

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About The Author:

David Sacco is a successful author and publisher of http://www.a1-in-toys.com. A great source of toys for children of all ages, from that early child to teens and hobbyists.