Last week, I shared that I’d been feeling a little stuck in my own game. Some of you wrote back about choosing a direction, reaching for the same familiar hands, and struggling to pivot.
Thank you for sharing those things with me. They give us plenty to work on together.
This week, I have a small strategy exercise for your next game, something useful to print for practice at home, and three upcoming live classes to help with those decisions. There’s a Mini Mahj Daily invitation below, too.
💡 Tile Wisdom
Before you change direction, name what changed
When a hand feels frustrating, it’s tempting to start searching the card for something else. Before you do, pause and ask: “What information do I have now that I didn’t have when I chose this hand?”
Maybe a new tile connects with several you already hold. Maybe an exposure changes your understanding of what’s available. Or maybe you’ve noticed another line that uses more of what’s actually in your rack.
Try finishing this sentence: “I’m considering a different hand because…”
Then lay out what you have for that alternative and identify what you would still need. A new possibility is worth examining, but it helps to compare the actual tiles before letting go of your original plan.
🔥 This Week’s Heat
Let’s work through those decisions together
Our next three classes each focus on a different part of the game. Here’s how to choose the one that fits what you’re working on.
When You Get Stuck · With Lara
Thursday, October 1 · 7 p.m. ET · 60 minutes
If your hand stops coming together and you aren’t sure what to do next, join me this Thursday. We’ll work through seven ways a hand can stall, from seeing no clear direction to being caught between two possibilities.
You’ll leave with a one-page “stuck menu” to keep beside your rack.
The Charleston in Competitive Play · With Lara + Michelle
Sunday, October 4 · 4 p.m. ET · 60 minutes
Michelle from Cypress Mahjong is joining me to work on passing decisions under time pressure, reading what keeps coming back, and recognizing when stopping makes sense. You can use these habits at your regular table, even if a tournament isn’t on your calendar.
Advanced Strategy with Exercises · With Lara + Jillian
Monday, October 5 · 7 p.m. ET · 90 minutes
Jillian from Mahj-el Tov and I will work through real racks with you. You’ll make the call, then we’ll discuss the reasoning, including reading exposures, evaluating a hand, and considering a pivot.
This follows Back to Basics, but you’re welcome to join even if you missed that class.
Each class is $75, live on Zoom, with a recording included. You’re welcome to register if you’ll be watching afterward.
🖨️ A Little Practice Between Games
Something to keep beside your racks
If you’re practicing four-handed solitaire, I have printable rack labels and Charleston passing cards to help you keep track of the setup and passing order.
The PDF includes four rack labels, six passing cards, and a courtesy-pass reference. Print at 100% size, cut them out, and keep them nearby as you practice.
Already comfortable with the basics and curious about this practice method? The four-handed solitaire guide walks you through it.
A little thank-you to Alicia, @mrsmahj, who convinced me to give this kind of practice a try.
🀄 Mini Mahj Daily
A little mahjong when you have a few minutes
If you haven’t joined my free Mini Mahj Daily group yet, I’d love to have you there. It’s a daily mahjong challenge you can play right in your browser, with the same starting tiles and wall for everyone.
We can compare how we did and see how different decisions shape the game. Take a look at the game’s built-in card before you begin.
🎯 Challenge Corner
Try explaining one decision
During your next solo practice session, choose one moment when you’re considering a different hand.
Before moving your tiles, say or write:
What made me reconsider?
Which tiles would help the new hand?
What would I be giving up?
After you compare, you might keep your original direction. You might change it. The exercise is to understand why you chose.
💙 From Our Community
One theme in last week’s replies was how easy it is to return to the hands you know best. There’s comfort in recognizing something familiar, especially when everyone is waiting for your turn.
If that sounds like you, give yourself room to explore during practice. You can take your time, lay out another possibility, and see what you notice.
I’d love to hear what you discover.
Lara
P.S. Which decision would you most like us to work through in a future Tile Talk Tuesday? Hit reply and tell me. And if we haven’t connected there yet, you can find me on Instagram @larasmahjongedit.