The Riichi Mahjong Times. Episode 2
Results from Four Winds Open 2024 in Frankfurt. A new story from Mr. Sato: "The Garden of the 5-Block and 6-Block Systems." Plus, check out a fun Mahjong-themed rap video.
It's been a very quiet two weeks, but we have some great tournaments coming up soon, so let's get ready!
With love from the editor and correspondent, Anastasiia Veremenko.
Recent tournaments:
Four Winds Open 2024 (Frankfurt am Main) - No MERS
Congratulations to the winners!
Get ready for something fun! We’ve found a cool rap video set to Eminem's "Lose Yourself," but with a Mahjong twist. The lyrics capture all the highs and lows of the game—the tension, the strategy, and the excitement of each round. Whether you're a Mahjong pro or just getting into it, this rap will definitely speak to you. So, crank up the volume, feel the beat, and let's get into the game like never before! Enjoy the video below!
By YusongYT
The Garden of the 5-Block and 6-Block Systems in Riichi Mahjong
In a quiet corner of Tokyo, a young player named Kenji sat down at a mahjong table in the "House of Tiles," eager to learn from the legendary Mr. Sato. Known for his deep understanding of the game, Mr. Sato was a master at teaching complex strategies through simple metaphors.
As the game began, Kenji found his hand cluttered with tiles, like an overgrown garden filled with weeds. Seeing his confusion, Mr. Sato leaned in with a gentle smile and said, "Kenji, think of your hand as a garden. To create something beautiful, you must carefully cultivate it."
He continued, "The 5-Block system is about tending to five flowers in your garden—each block represents a potential set of three tiles, either a triplet or a sequence. Your goal is to grow these five flowers to form a winning hand. By focusing on these five blocks, you trim away the excess and reveal the beauty hidden within."
Kenji looked at his tiles with newfound clarity, seeing how he could arrange them like a gardener planning out a perfect row of blooms.
"But a garden also needs space to breathe and grow," Mr. Sato went on. "This is where the 6-Block system comes in. Think of it as an extra plot of land, a sixth block that gives you flexibility. It allows you to adapt if the weather changes or if new plants need room. This extra block helps you respond to the unpredictable nature of the game."
Understanding this, Kenji saw the wisdom in allowing some room for change. He adjusted his strategy, keeping his five main blocks in mind while using the sixth block as a way to adapt, much like a gardener deciding where to plant a new flower based on the changing seasons.
By the end of the night, Kenji felt a sense of accomplishment and understanding. He thanked Mr. Sato for his guidance, realizing that mahjong, much like a garden, required patience, planning, and the ability to adapt.
Mr. Sato nodded approvingly and said, "Remember, Kenji, your hand is a garden, and you are its caretaker. Tend to it well, and it will flourish. Use the 5-Block and 6-Block systems wisely, and you will always find a way to victory."
If you're aiming for Ryanpeikou, make sure to check for Pinfu as well. The wait can be tricky, so stay alert!
Upcoming tournaments:
September will be eventful! Our correspondent will attend tournaments in Porto and Vienna and will share the details with you afterward.
Vienna Riichi Open 2024 - the winner of the tournament will be awarded a seat for WRC 2025 in Tokyo!
All events are here
Playing Mahjong is said to offer several mental health benefits, such as enhancing memory, improving cognitive skills, and fostering social interaction. It’s often played among family and friends, making it a social activity as well as a mental exercise.
If you want to share any news, ideas, or thoughts - feel free to write to us—we'd be happy to publish it.
Be-weekly puzzle
List all the waits for both hands in the comments and share this newsletter with your Mahjong friends! 😊
In the next episode, we’ll randomly select the winner from the correct comments (using https://www.random.org/). After all, mahjong is about luck too.There’s a prize!
The prize is a hand-made Mahjong-themed postcard! Good luck!
The prize will be handed over at one of the tournaments or by mail. We will contact the winner to arrange the details.
Previous puzzle results:
We had 3 finalists in our previous puzzle! Good job!
The finalists are:
Tamas Erdos
The winner is:
!
Here's the video of selecting the winner using random.org
There’s a prize!
The prize is a useful plastic scoresheet card with the WRL design by Vitaliy Balanyuk!
The card will be handed over at one of the tournaments. We will contact the winner to arrange the details.
If you want to buy the cards, contact Vitaliy Balanyuk - riichicards@gmail.com!
If you want to offer some prizes for the next puzzles, contact me. =)
The previous episode of the newsletter:
1
Thanks for sharing the rap remake 🙂 It brought a smile to my face 🙂 Though I'm only just learning the game