Playing The Intriguing Mahjong Game

Mahjong is more than just a game. In many Asian cultures, it has become a way of life. It has easily become a favourite pastime for many, and has been fully absorbed into part of the lifestyle.

In other societies, the normal topic of many conversations, may be the weather, or sports, but in the Chinese community, the most prevalent topic, is often the previous Mahjong game players' score.

The Mahjong game is played almost everywhere, at home, in private clubs, and it is played on social occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, holidays and almost any occasion for entertainment.

Mahjong is idolized in almost the same manner as the game of golf is revered in the west. There is a now an almost cult-like following, with associated theorizing that insinuates that Mahjong truthfully expresses individuality and provides the opportunity to express personal freedom and indulge in self-satisfaction

Perhaps an immediate reason for the increasing popularity, is that it is easy to play and simple to learn. Players also claim that it relieves hypertension and improves mental concentration and alertness. The therapeutic effects, can often be noticed by playing the mahjong game after an exhausting work week.

The game offers opportunities, not only for socializing, but also the chance to demonstrate the ability for independence, without being influenced by adverse comments or actions from opponents.

The Mahjong game is played with a set of 136 tiles, of Chinese characters and symbols. Four players are seated on each side of a square table. Different regions may use a different number of tiles, but generally, each player receives thirteen tiles. The objective is to match all the tiles in his or her hand before the other players. Players, in turn are allowed to draw a new tile from the table or pick up a matching tile discarded by another player. The second objective is to assemble the highest -scoring hand. The score is based on the probability of achieving a certain combination. The lower the probability of achieving the combination, the higher the score awarded.

Very few devotees of the game, can actually explain the captivating appeal, and why the Mahjong game itself can be so engaging. Some avid players claim that the strategic manoeuvres that are involved, simulate challenges that may occur in real-life. Once the game begins, reality is often suspended, and players can easily become immersed a world that overflows with expectations and anticipation.

Endless variations make it difficult to evaluate the strength of opponents, and this may also contribute to the intrigue. No two games are the same, and each session presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. With so much variety involved, the mahjong game, involving skill, calculated strategy and a certain degree of luck, will always be interesting.

Mahjong is more than just a game. Too many, it can become a part of the lifestyle, that can be enjoyed on special occasions.

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Put Your Knowledge Of Sports Facts To Good Use By Playing A Sports Quiz In A Bar

If you love sports and trivia and have the ability to retain sports facts, have you considered playing in a trivia league? There are sports bars and pubs in North America that offer weekly trivia quizzes as part of their entertainment schedule. However, not too many seem to offer a quiz that's solely dedicated to sports.

Trivia, especially when played in a team in a pub setting with a host asking the questions is incredibly fun and exciting. When it's just sports, it gives it that added spice. It becomes competitive and you're pumping adrenaline overtime! After all, many people love sports and there's always some great back-and-forth banter between friends who think "they know it all."

The pub quiz is not a new concept. It's been around for years and many bars and pubs offer this form of weekly entertainment for their customers. However, owners of these establishments don't seem to offer a sports-specific weekly quiz to cater to their die-hard sports enthusiasts, which is a bit of a shame. This money-making potential for the owner is often overlooked. Though there must be sports bars that do offer it, it seems a bit of a rarity. Perhaps as customers, you could mention it to staff, who may persuade the owner to start a sports quiz. Imagine a sports bar without a sports quiz? The nerve!

The best kind of sports trivia quiz is the sort that is "live-hosted". With a host asking the questions, it really gets pretty fun and exciting. The host plays an important role. If the host is confident, funny and a bit of a "smarty-pants" himself/herself, it creates great banter between the host and players. Players keep returning weekly, spending on food and drinks and staying longer (all great news for the establishment).

Many places offer "live" bands and there's nothing wrong in that. Some places offer karaoke. Again, nothing wrong in that either; but how long can you listen to someone croaking away at a John Denver tune? Ask yourself if you can get addicted to someone belting out those unreachable notes of Whitney Houston's! Sports trivia - now there's something you can get addicted to. You're in your element. Answer as many questions correctly and who knows; there might be a prize at the end of it for your team! How cool is that?

If only more sports bars would offer this to their customers, they would notice a "sudden" loyalty with the same faces showing up weekly to participate in a pub sports quiz. So, if you want to play and put your sports facts to good use (finally), why not speak to your local sports bar and ask them to introduce fun sports quizzes on a weekly basis? You'll be glad - and so will they!

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