How mah-jong games are bringing people together and fostering connections
Global News
A 200-year-old Chinese tile game is making a comeback. Mah-jong is becoming increasingly popular — growing in Montreal, especially among seniors.
It’s a simple and social game that’s connecting people to one another.
Mah-jong is a 200-year-old Chinese tile game that’s making a comeback and growing in Montreal.
“The thing about mah-jong is it has so many benefits, especially as we age: it helps slow down dementia, it helps with hand-eye co-ordination, it helps with patience,” said Shafrit Baum, an American mah-jong instructor, also known as Little Miss Mahjong.
Baum has been on a mission to help spread her knowledge of the game.
She teaches privately and through community classes all over the Greater Montreal area, including at the Dollard-des-Ormeaux (DDO) seniors club on the West Island.
“It’s good for my brain, it’s good for socializing and I made so many friends during these classes and games,” said Yaffa Ritter, a member of the DDO seniors club.
Typically played by four people, players draw and discard tiles as they compete to be the first to collect a winning hand.
Members of the club first started to learn about the game last year, and by popular demand, many now meet twice a week for open play.
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