Why I’m Enthralled with Mah Jongg

Why I’m Enthralled with Mah Jongg
Years ago , a relative gave my dad a cd with games on it for his computer. Once installed, I took a look and discovered Shanghai Second Dynasty by Activision. I played several rounds of a match game which features mah jongg tiles. The layout, level of hardness, tiles, and more could be changed. If successfully completed, a Chinese saying appeared.
I was hooked! I played and played until I got my own computer. And when I searched for an upgrade, there was none. A very sad day.   
Then I found a simple one which was probably best in the long run. I no longer had the time as my writing had literally overtaken my any spare time.
Until…  I made a new friend in Jazzercise. She asked several of us if we would be interested in learning how to play Mah jongg. Seems the game I'd been playing was nothing like the real thing.
The real game is played with real tiles. They are shuffled and "walls" are created. The dealer passes the four of us thirteen tiles. We set them on the racks and using the "Official Standard Hands and Rules" created by the National Mah Jongg League, Inc., we create hands. It sorta resembles rummy.
Our group does use futures, which adds a great dimension to winning. However, I'm told pros shun futures.
Once a hand is collected, a player can declare "Mah Jongg," and the other three pay up, in our case a quarter or two.
Why am I enthralled with Mah Jongg?First, I love being with this group and sharing with them. Second, playing has to be good for my head. And don't we need that nowadays?
Check it out: https://sites.google.com/site/mahjrules/home/rules/
 
Confess. What games are you addicted to? I know there's all that Farmville, Candy Crush, Spyder, etc out there.
 
With diet Coke in hand, Vicki Batman plays Mah Jongg every week and usually wins one hand, maybe two, occasionally three. Find her at: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com Or at: http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com  . Her latest short story set in the loverly city of San Diego, "San Diego or Bust,"and is available at: http://bookShow.me/B00BXNNO2Y .