The Red Dragon & the West Wind

by Tom Sloper

The Red Dragon & The West Wind is the perfect introduction to this ancient game of strategy and subterfuge, covering all aspects of the two most common varieties, American and Chinese, along with an overview of other global approaches.

The book begins with the history and origin and moves on to the rules of play and ways to win and avoid essential errors as well as the etiquette to follow. With everything from clear instructions on dealing, building, and distributing tiles to a look at the history and future of the game, this is the essential book for anyone who wants to have fun-and win-while playing mah-jongg.

Genres: Games, Nonfiction

272 pages, ebook

First published June 1, 2007

Reviews

[Jedi Jax · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - this is a good "reference" mah jong book - definitely not a beginners book - for beginners, this might be a tad complicated - there were also some incorrect information - i recommend cross reference with out mah jong books

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I play American Mah Jongg. I found the sections on the history of the game interesting, and appreciated having a book that referenced all the rules (although the groups in play with the dealer *deals* to everyone instead of having each player take their own tiles).

When I got to the section on Official Chinese MJ I could only follow up to a point. The scoring seems very complicated, and it would probably make more sense if I watched people play and explain (which is how I learned the American version).

[Barbara Dutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth be told, I only skimmed this book - and only the first half, at that!

I love to play American Mah Jongg. I am not interested in learning about Chinese Mah Jongg.

So, since the first half of the book spoke about the American game, that’s all I looked at! 🤔

Sloper does a nice job of telling about the history of the game. He also explains the rules in very clear terms.

If you want to learn to play Mahj, find a group. It’s a game best learned in person. This book would be a great at home study guide or review.

My mother played Mah Jongg regularly. I’m sorry we never played together. But, I have her set of tiles. It’s a great reminder of her.

[Laura Cushing · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author seems to think he is the foremost authority on all things mahjong. Mr. Sloper's gigantic ego is apparently throughout this very dry guide to the game. Much pedantic rules dickery, misogynistic undertones, and not all that much explanation for the beginner.

I purchased this book on Kindle and was able to bookmark useful sections to have a portable reference- but had I not already known how to play, and read much better books on the subject, I would have been hopelessly confused by Mr. Sloper's methods of explanation. He also gives some very bad advice to new players - telling them to just throw the game until they know how to play better rather than have faster more experienced players roll their eyes at you and not invite you back to play.

What you need to do is find a group that is welcoming to beginners and doesn't take itself too serious, as Mr. Sloper clearly does.

So if you don't mind the way Mr. Sloper speaks about women (Don't you know Mahjong is a woman's game because we like pretty matching things, chatting, and 'kvetching'?), and pedantic nature - pick it up.

If you're looking for a good book on how to learn to play American Mahjong, by all means look elsewhere- perhaps to the excellent A Beginner's Guide to American Mahjong by Elaine Sandberg. Yes, Mr. Sloper did the forward to her book, but the book itself is a great guide - providing full color illustrations, friendly talk and good advice for new players. It also gives you a copy of the National Mahjong League card to work with, and many practice exercises and quizzes.

[JULIE · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recommend this book for anyone learning to play Mah-Jongg. The author has detailed information on rules, resolving conflicts, and more. A good beginner's guide, although I suggest that if you've never played before, find a group that will allow you to observe or that is patient with a beginner. I started at Third Place Books playing with the Shoreline Senior Center on Mondays (on Monday holidays or whenever I can take a Monday off). They've been playing together a long time, they play all day but people come and go, and they were very gracious in allowing me to learn with them.

[W Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reviews that fault this book for "not being what I play" are bizarre; it says on the cover what it's about. LOL.

As an overview on the history of the game, and a thorough description of the rules, manner of play, etiquette, and strategy of the American and Official Chinese Games, this book does exactly what it promises. For my part - these are not the two games I'm most interested in (Riichi Japanese Mahjong, and "Classical Chinese" are where my interest lie) - but I can hardly fault the book for that!

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written by a knowledgeable expert on the game who started as a video game designer and went down the Mah Jong rabbit hole while researching the game for video game development. This book gives a well-written account of the history of the game that could be of interest to anyone curious about where and how Mah Jong got to where it is now. Then there is a clear and detailed explanation of how to play and basic strategies that would probably be of interest only to those wanting to learn to play or to improve their skills. He covers American and Chinese Mah Jong, although most folks would be interested in one or the other I would think. The author is well known for his writings on the internet.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know most everyone on Goodreads reads best sellers. But for those of us addicted to the fascinating game of Mah-Jongg it is great to be able to write about this book. It has clear information for the beginner and for those of us who have been playing for a while and say: " Now who is East? or Are you sure you can't use a joker in a pair" When that comes up the group I play with says in chorus "Never, ever play a joker with a pair!!"

It gives the reader some tips to help through what, at times, can be the frustrating Charleston part of the game.

My group does not play for money so reading about that part of the game was interesting. So is reading about the Chinese version.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good guidebook. I liked the history in the beginning. I also liked the authors clear passion for the game. His little asides on his opinion on some parts of play were funny. I also liked some of the little strategy tips he offered. Helpful to learn some details about American play. Was hoping for details on Classical Chinese play, but the Chinese version derailed in this one seemed more like Riichi. Still a nice reference- I liked that it was free on Kindle Unlimited. I have a couple other books I own in physical copies that I liked better.

[Mark Zodda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have absolutely no idea why I have been reading (and finished) a book about how to play mah-jongg. I'm not sure if it is the game or the author, but it certainly seems to be a persnickety thing to play. For mah-jongg aficionados only.

[Kyle Carroll (i_fucking_love_books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only read the sections on Chinese mahjong as I am not interested in the American version, but it lays out a very approachable rules explanation along with beginner through advanced strategy guides. The history sections were also very interesting!

[Jbussen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh. Not much to be learned here. The suggestions I found obvious. Example; like in poker, recognize the people you play with, their tendencies, verbal utterances, and physical expressions. Count tiles like one counts cards. Etc. Maybe I'm just too smart (tee hee hee)

[Nedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really clear explanation of Mahjongg rules for both American and Chinese games. It clearly highlights the differences and the book is set up in a way for easy reference.

[Marlou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed book on the history and rules of American and Chinese mah jong. Appreciated it more as an experienced player than when I read it as a beginner.

[Marks54 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am trying to keep up my reading in the rules and practice of Mah-Jongg. The book was fine, but the proof will be in whether my play improves or not.

[Polly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Sloper is the expert on all things Mah Jongg. He's done the research, he knows it all, and if you want to know about Mah Jongg you should read this book. I also appreciate that he posts a fully comprehensive website with everything you need to know about all forms of MJ. (Google his name and you'll find it.) It's an old school framed website but don't let that sway you, he knows his stuff.

I'm a happy player of NMJL style MJ, and trying to pick up Chinese rules (all those hands and no card - yikes!).

P.S. I've just looked at someone else's review and I see that she's saying this book isn't for beginners. I think that's true. It's for lovers of those clackity tiles who want to know where the game came from and how it fits into the universe. It's also good for those who know one version of the game and want to learn what the other styles are like. I do NOT think the author is a hater of women, and that other reviewer should probably get over herself.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um, supposedly this book is suitable for beginners but I heartily disagree. I was fairly familiar with the [Chinese version of the] game from experience, and that made it possible for me to dive in, but otherwise be prepared for pungs, chows, and melding from day 1. There were gems (the parts on strategy, how to read the NMJL cards, and history were interesting and useful) but there were also dozens of pages on tedious rules.

If you're interested in a) the history of mahjong or b) understanding the official rules of American or Chinese mahjong, I would recommend this book, but do not be afraid to skim.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult to give this a rating because I really wanted to rate it only 3* but felt that not fair. I thought it was a good book but not for me since a good part of the book was about Chinese MJ and I don't play that. The first part is about American Mah Jongg and I already knew a good deal of it. Therefore, it's a good book for someone who is more of a beginner. I did enjoy and get something out of the strategy section.

[Trudy Nye · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the basic rules of American Mah Jongg are well explained, Sloper seems to stretch this book by restating them 3 or 4 times...without even doing much rewording. It serves as a handy reference, but not much else. The Chinese mah jongg section is much the same.

A much better book for the beginning mah jongg player is Elaine Sandberg's A Beginner's Guide to American Mah Jongg.

[Libby]

(P) Joe gave this to me for Easter in 2020. I love that he knows how much of a crush I have on Tom Sloper!