Talk:Mahjong tiles

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Is this the correct spelling? I thought it was Mahjohngg. Deb 16:34, 15 Apr 2004 (UTC)

I mean Mahjongg, of course. Deb 16:36, 15 Apr 2004 (UTC)

Strictly speaking, if it was pinyin, then ma jiang would be correct. Many people accept one G or 2 Gs, although 2Gs is almost exclusively used by American players for the American version (ie. the one with the Charleston, quints, jokers, and a yearly scoring card) used by the NMJL and AMJA. The difference in one G is also used to differentiate between Mahjong and Mahjong solitaire as well. All this commotion, of course, dates back to the 1920s, when romanization of the Chinese language was inconsistent at best (eg. with respect to Gs, hyphenation, among other things). Because the large majority of players do not play using NMJL/AMJA rules (I'm only singling this out since it deviates greatly from all other variants), the spelling of Mahjong with one G is more common.

Also to note that the spelling of Mahjong with one G and no hyphen or space is also to be consistent with how it is found in the rest of Wikipedia (although the appropriate redirects have not been properly created). kelvSYC 17:26, 15 Apr 2004 (UTC)

I see. Thanks for such a detailed explanation. Deb 19:09, 15 Apr 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Ivory tiles are still available?

In China, doubtless. But not outside China, surely. --Wetman 06:42, 21 Nov 2004 (UTC)

Not "doubtless" at all. For the most part, there are hardly any ivory tiles anywhere in the world. 999.9999% of the tiles described as "ivory" are actually made of bone, typically the shin bone of cattle, or from fish bone. There are a small number of sets made from walrus ivory, which is still legal in some countries. While there may have been elephant ivory mahjongg tile sets made, they are rare enough that most people, even serious collectors, will never encounter them in their entire lives. I'll find a source for this. Nandesuka 22:23, 21 November 2005 (UTC)

I've seen a set made from real ivory, but it was more of a novelty than a set for play- the pieces were very small, and the ivory may have come from a source like old piano key facings. Saxophobia 12:29, 16 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] PinYin?

The pinyin in this article are missing tone. The tones are important. Could someone put them in?

[edit] Color of the bamboos.

The 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 Bamboo are represented entirely out of green sticks,

but the pictures shown are halfly blue and halfly green. --203.186.238.187 12:48, 3 December 2005 (UTC)

"remaining one is Flower Tiles" HAHA!