Moving Mah Jongg Online

The clacking of the tiles still makes a sound — but this time, it is computer generated.

When the call was made to social distance, one local Mah Jongg group answered the call by continuing to play their weekly games together, just in a different way. Like many folks these days, the group of Joan Mauel, Allison Strawn, Jennifer Saucer and Liane Hinrichs have moved online as a way to stay connected.

“It is important to keep playing as a group to keep the social interaction,” says Joan. “We are social beings by nature, and it helps keep the connection to each other in place, warding off the feeling of isolation, and loneliness during this crazy time.” The group, which normally plays every Wednesday at The Briar Club, did not want their games to stop during this time of social distancing. 

“There seemed to be a high demand and want in our group to stay together so I did some research, reading about different online sites in a Mah Jongg Facebook group,” says Jennifer. “Then, I scouted some sites to find the best one for us.” Jennifer found that this site was well suited for their group, because it gave them the ability to create their own table and play together. Not playing with strangers was important to them. 

GONE ONLINE A close up of Joan Mauel’s iPad shows her regular Mah Jongg group’s online “table.” Mauel, along with Allison Strawn, Liane Hinrichs and Jennifer Saucer have moved to playing online since they are social distancing.

One fun aspect of the online site was that they had to create their own player names to be able to join. Joan, in particular, took that directive to heart. “I picked  ‘RockerChic’ as my handle because I have always been an avid concert enthusiast,” laughs Joan. "The last few years, I really stepped up my interest in live music, which includes not only trying to see my favorite artists, but also in the best possible venue. It’s kind of a joke, but I’ve been calling this past year — the last year of my 50s —  as the year of being a groupie. I’m keeping notes on my experience and I am going to write a personal essay on this past year. My daughter reminded me that I’ve been this way for a long time and that I’ve always been a ‘RockerChic’ —I brought my three children to their first concert ( to see Coldplay) back when they were 8, 10 and 12 years of age: hence the RockerChic handle!”

Jennifer says that with less to do these days, the group has been playing more than once a week. They use a group text to decide days and times and then they meet virtually online. One surprise is that there are pretty realistic sounds associated with the game.

“The computer game is as close to the sound of the real tiles as you get,” says Jennifer. “It’s always fun to welcome the new person when they 'walk in' and join the table. It’s like who is it — and then we see their names at the table!” 

However, the online game does not give them the ability to talk. There is the option to online chat, but that was less realistic. Liane came to the rescue, and she dials the group in each time they play. "For people who have iPhones, it’s so easy to add multiple participants to a call,” says Liane, noting that talking while playing, is critical to their experience. “It seemed important to me that we continue to develop our friendships and camaraderie through talking while we played and not play in silence.

Jennifer Saucer’s personalized mah jongg Joker tiles are on display next to her mother’s vintage bakelite mah jongg tiles, mah jongg dice, shufflers and the 2019 playing card. (Photo: lawellphoto.com)

"If we played in silence it would feel even more isolating. Over the many games we have played online since the national emergency was declared, the ability to conference call so that our whole group can chat together has been more important than just playing the game. We have shared information on where to get supplies, food and takeout  — and more importantly on the emotional aspect of helping our families through this trial. I love Mah Jongg  — but I love talking to everyone in my group even more.”

Until the call is sounded for everyday life to go back to normal, the group will keep on playing online. “I think playing live with our group is important to keep some sense of normalcy and a schedule,” adds Allison. “We look forward to playing with real tiles in person soon, but if this is the best we can do for now — then that’s good!"

Editor's Note: This Mah Jongg group was originally featured, among other local groups, in this story about Buzz neighbors' and their love of the game.