Mah Jongg, or Mahjong, is a popular game in SaddleBrooke as it is around the world. It is a tile-based game developed in the 19th century in China and spread throughout the world. Four players sit around a table, and each has a set of tiles to start with. Then, the scramble to win begins.
When I heard from an aquacise friend that Molly Ravitz had just returned from a tournament in Phoenix, it piqued my curiosity. Asking to interview her led to this article.
But there is more to the story. Oro Valley has a Mah Jongg League called the Dangling Dragons. Holly Ravitz won first place last year, and this year, her sister, Janice Shinn, was the winner. Both Holly and Janice started playing the game about 50 years ago. Rachel Hayden has been playing for about seventeen year, and Vivian Herman started playing in 1961 when her son was born. As I am writing this article, Jolly and Janice are off in Mesa competing in another tournament.
These four meet in each otherβs homes every week. There are beginning player groups and groups of more experienced players of Mah Jongg meeting at other times and other places in SaddleBrooke. If you are interested in learning more or joining a group, check for notices in SaddleBrooke Progress and SaddleBag Notes.
