By Jaslynn Wong, Lian Qi
Standfirst: Mahjong - A game that used to be associated with elderly people has now evolved with time and technology. A new community of youths have sprung up and are hopping on to learn about a game known for its culture, strategy and beauty.
(INTERGENERATIONAL BONDING: Toh Sue Anne (second from right) having a weekly mahjong session with her grandparents and brother in the comfort of their home. (PHOTO: Jaslynn Wong)
For Inge and Ming Zhe, they had entered Nee Soon Community Club’s mahjong group with the intention to pick up the game, but what they didn’t expect was to leave the centre with not only their newly-acquired skills but a lifetime mahjong partner.
New Mahjong online communities
Mahjong has entered a new dynamic with the help of technology.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic putting a dampener on most social activities, many youths have since overcome the hurdle with their very own phones and cameras.
According to a mahjong survey done by us including 107 respondents, there has been an increase in the number of youths aged 15 to 35 years old playing mahjong, with a majority of the survey respondents (35.5%) playing at least once a week.
Many youths have also learnt to adapt to the current Covid-19 pandemic by hosting family mahjong sessions in line with the 2-pax rule, as well as turning to online mahjong live sessions to connect with fellow avid players.
This has resulted in pocket mahjong communities online that specialise in streaming on digital platforms. Youths have also contributed to the growth of such communities by sharing their mahjong tips with each other.
A couple that plays together, stays together: Ong Ming Zhe (left) and Inge Shi (right), as they plan new content for their YouTube Channel PLAY! Mahjong. (PHOTO: Ong Ming Zhe and Inge Shi)
Ong Ming Zhe and Inge Shi, 22 years old, are founders of PLAY! Mahjong, a mahjong YouTube channel with over 21,000 subscribers. The channel advocates healthy and competitive Mahjong habits.
“I actually met Ming Zhe through mahjong,” said Inge when asked about how the channel came about.
The couple first met in July 2020 when they joined a Japanese (Riichi) mahjong group in the Nee Soon Community Club which consisted of a group of elderly and new players looking to pick up the game.
They then decided to post their first few videos online as a way to track their progress and reflect on it in the weeks to come. However, the channel soon attracted the attention of players in Singapore, many of those who were stuck at home due to the pandemic.
A Behind-the-scenes set up for video shoot of youtube channel, PLAY! Mahjong (PHOTO: Ong Ming Zhe and Inge Shi)
PLAY! Mahjong has since gone on to do weekly mahjong live streaming, tutorials and would frequently hold competitions on their channel.
What makes their channel unique would undoubtedly be their stand on mahjong.
While the couple does encourage mahjong as a game for Singaporeans to play, they do not condone gambling.
Advocating healthy Mahjong habits: Ong Ming Zhe (on the left) assists the loser of the game with his pushups, a punishment for losing the game. (PHOTO: Ong Ming Zhe and Inge Shi)
Every game of mahjong featured on their channel has no monetary prizes. Instead, a non-monetary prize would be given to the victor and punishment would be meted to the loser. They have even held competitions between their followers with the winner receiving an automatic mahjong table.
“We wish to cultivate a community that practices healthy and competitive mahjong habits where they could win prizes instead of using their cash,” explains Ming Zhe.
Youths hopping onto the mahjong tide
For Toh Sue Anne, a 19-year old Early Childhood Development & Education student in Ngee Ann Poly, it seemed only natural that she would pick up the game, with her family being resident mahjong kakis.
However, it wasn’t until she saw her cousins’ learning did she pick it up for herself.
“When I was younger, I saw my grandmother and mother playing it and I wanted to be a part of it too.” she explains.
Sue Anne enjoys spending time with her family while playing the game together as it gives her the chance to have a good chat with them during the game.
She is not the only youth to feel that way.
According to the survey done by us, 72% (77 respondents) have cited that they enjoy playing mahjong as it allows them to bond with their family members.
With mahjong being so prevalent in Singaporean households, it is no wonder that many youths have picked up the cultural game. Many of them learn the basics from their families and move on to play with friends and other relatives.
And thus, the next generation of mahjong players are born, with youths rising to the occasion to continue their family’s mahjong tradition with pride.
Toh Sue Anne (second from right) having a fruitful mahjong session at her house with her Secondary School friends. (PHOTO: Toh Sue Anne)
Joey Cheng, a 21-year old Student of Nanyang Technological University is another example. She learned how to play mahjong from her mother when she was only 17 years old. She has since continued learning and sharpening her mahjong skill by playing with her friends on a regular basis.
She has also tried looking for players or mahjong hosts via online forums around Singapore for games. SG Mahjong is one of the more popular Telegram channels that she and other youths use.
SG Mahjong holds over 5000 users to date and is a running channel that allows players to host, join and discuss game strategies with fellow Singaporean players.
“I forged bonds and made new friends with people there and got to learn about their lives, jobs and mahjong,” Joey said.
In the comfort of their own homes
However, when Covid-19 struck in March 2020, youths were forced to adapt to the new rules following the start of the Circuit Breaker. From bouncing from different houses to playing mahjong, many youths were forced to stay at home and avoid social gatherings whenever possible.
Several of these youths have adapted to the situation in compliance with the new Circuit Breaker restrictions.
“I adapted by inviting two of my relatives (at a time) to my house,” said Sue Anne.
Many youths have also brought their mahjong games online on platforms such as “Let’s Mahjong”, “Deities Play Mahjong”, “Mahjongleh” and many more. These games allow players to play with their friends or connect with strangers virtually.
Joey said, “It was the best we could do to play mahjong in the middle of a pandemic.”
Is Mahjong illegal in Singapore?
Under Common Gaming Houses Act (CGHA), if you are playing mahjong with stakes and odds with money exchanged at home with friends and family, mahjong is not considered illegal gambling
It was in the case of Chua Seong Soi v Public Prosecutor [2000] SGHC 195, where a group of 8 men were arrested for engaging in a game of pai kow, in which the (then) Chief Justice ruled that a game of mahjong between friends is not illegal gambling, but seen as a form of recreation.
Based on surveys done by the Nation Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), there has been a decrease in gambling participation from 52% in 2017 to 44% in 2020.
Although there may be a decrease in gambling participation, problem gambling is still existent in Singapore.
Singaporeans should be aware of the dangers of gambling addiction and not overindulge in the monetary aspects of mahjong. Instead, they can choose to treat it like a weekly game of bonding with friends and family or a way to work their brains.
For those who wish to seek help with their mahjong addiction, you may do so by calling the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1800-6-668-668
(The helpline is open from Monday to Thursday: 8.30 am - 6.00 pm and Friday: 8.30 am - 5.30 pm. It is closed on weekends and public holidays.)
It’s all about the strategies
While mahjong is an avenue for youths to bond with their family and friends, it also allows them to get their brains whirring.
“You need to keep track of the people around you and what tiles they are throwing out,” Sue Anne elaborates, “it (mahjong) really challenges yourself, as it requires a lot of critical thinking.”
Mahjong is a game with multiple playing styles and winning strategies. This requires you to plan your next move quickly and decisively. However, it isn’t simply a game of offence. It is vital for players to resort to defensive strategies and avoid ‘shooting’ other players by giving them their winning tile.
The survey done by us states that 55.1% of respondents (59 respondents) enjoy playing mahjong as it allows them to learn new strategies by constantly challenging themselves.
Inge adds: “Most of it is just weighing out your options to see and plan the strategy you want to take.”
Mahjong also has certain benefits for cognitive function and memory. According to a study done by The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, which had 110 elderly respondents, mahjong can "preserve functioning or delay decline in certain cognitive domains, even in those with significant cognitive impairment."
Another Lens, Another View
However, though the game proves to be engaging for youths, it begs the question: what do their parents feel about their mahjong hobby?
Mr H.W. Wong, a 48-year-old educator, explains to us that he was alright with his children playing mahjong on a daily basis, as long as they “knew their limitations”.
In his opinion, mahjong is considered a hobby or a way to pass the time. He explains that he would only step in if his child’s day-to-day life is being affected negatively by it.
For Sue Anne’s mother, Mrs Toh, a 53-year old housewife, she is fine with her child playing mahjong. In fact, she encourages it.
To her, mahjong teaches her child the values of patience and sportsmanship. “After all, mahjong really shows a person’s true temperament and character,”
She explains, “It allows them to train their mind to be more alert, agile and to be more patient by waiting for the right opportunity to ‘strike’.”
It’s more than just mahjong
For many youths, mahjong also allows them to socialise with one another. The game allows them to meet new people of the same interest, discuss your personal winning strategies and connect with many people from different paths of life.
When Joey Cheng was actively looking for an internship company early this year, she also got to learn about various industries from her fellow mahjong players.
“You get to gain quite a bit of information about different industries by talking to them during games,” she said.
For Ming Zhe and Inge, the road ahead hasn't always been smooth and easy, but they are grateful for their online mahjong community which has supported them every step of the way.
“We enjoy being a part of this community. We get to learn from each other, share our experiences and enjoy each other’s achievement,” Ming Zhe said.
With many youths delving into the world of mahjong, it’s obvious to say that the traditional game would not be going away any time soon. Though with online mahjong and streaming channels, youths have taken it upon themselves to usher in a new era of mahjong, theirs.
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