Hong Kong's mahjong experts are being given a chance to take on the world for serious money as the ancient Chinese game's global championship returns after five years - with more than US$500,000 at stake.
For the first time, the World Series of Mahjong tournament - which has been held three times since 2007 - will involve an online qualifying competition, which begins next month. That will whittle the field down to 500 competitors for the final, played over two days in December.
The ancient game, thought to date to about 500BC, involves 144 tiles showing Chinese characters. It is massively popular in Hong Kong and the mainland, despite the fact it was officially forbidden there for decades due to its association with gambling. Different rules are used around the world, but organiser World Mahjong Limited will operate a standardised set of rules used in many international contests.
Jim Mehren, president of World Mahjong, would not say why the competition was being revived now. But he urged people to practise online and begin earning points towards qualification through event partner and online mahjong operator Funtown.
The top 32 in the final will split a prize pool of US$575,000, with the winner taking home a gold mahjong necklace.
For Chan Tak-kwan, a Hongkonger who won the 2010 World Series, patience and relaxation were crucial to success. "Winning or losing, stay calm, and be confident," he told potential entrants.
Alex Ho Kwok-hung, the 2008 champion, added: "It is great to see the game of mahjong rise to an international level, and complete with so many amazing talents around the world."
Gaming blogger Louis Ng Man-hin pointed to the success of global poker tournaments, and said Hongkongers could take mahjong more seriously, joining competitions rather than treating it as a mere game.
The venue has not yet been announced.
This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: World challenge for mahjong aces
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