Winning American Mah Jongg Strategies: A Guide for the Novice Player - Learn the "Secrets of Success" to Strategize, Excel and Win at Mah Jongg

At first I was put off this book by so many reviews griping that she discusses the 2010 card during her book for examples and then puts a 2009 card in the back of the book which, for some unknown reason, "confused" or irritated people. I thought that for whatever reason, it must have mattered. But, folks, it doesn't matter at all. You have to pick some card to use for book examples -- and every single time she gives an example, she first gives the entire hand as it appears on the 2010 card. You never have to have the 2010 card in front of you. (At least one reviewer apparently has tried to purchase the 2010 card. Don't bother. You truly do not need it.) At the end, she gives a sort of quiz where you use the 2009 card she had permission to print. There's absolutely no reason why her examples couldn't be from one card and the quiz from another that she provides readers -- because you're supposed to pick up principles of play here and not memorize any particular card. It would be impossible, then, to have a book that lasted more than a year. So ignore those complaints. The book does exactly what it sets out to do. It gives clear strategies to help make better decisions faster during the Charleston and subsequent game play. You possibly have heard pieces before, but it's a nice collection of organized chapters pulling these ideas together. I'm pleased to have it in my collection along with Sandberg's Beginner's Guide as well as Karen Gooen's Searching for Bubbe Fischer -- all three books will take a brand new player into competency and nuanced play -- no matter what year it is or what NMJL card you're playing.

I've been playing MJ for 5 or 6 years and found the tips and suggestions in this book to be very helpful and you can start using the techniques immediately. I'm still reading but have picked up so many great pointers and suggestions to improve my game. Simple, easy techniques that made me wonder..."why didn't I think of that!" Highly recommended for all players, new to novice. It will improve your game and your chances of winning multiple games will increase.

Very helpful book for developing in the American/Jewish variant of Mah Jongg for all novice players, as well as those who have been playing a short while and wanting to develop their skills. Pictures of types of hands, and how to put hands together is helpful. Sandberg does a good job for novice/new players. If you are looking to learn the Chinese version of the game, then Tom Sloper's book The Red Dragon & The West Wind (which covers both Chinese & American mah jongg) would be recommended.

Nice book

Disappointing. Only a beginner's book. If you already have been plating Mah Jonng a while, you will find nothing new here.

I have her first book as well. She does a very good job of explaing and with plenty of pictures. I would highly recommend this book. I am new at American Mahjong, but I feel that even a seasoned player could learn a thing or two from this book.

I am a beginner player of Mahjongg. This book was very helpful.

If you struggle with how to start a hand, what to do during the Charleston, and how to read the card, this book presents a simple way to understand the game It will give you confidence as the tiles are dealt, and you will learn when to reveal tiles, and the art of defense. Some of us have to read it several times, and go back and read again to get all of the strategy down. It allows you to concentrate on one area of the game that you might need assistance with. Good luck!

This book is well written and easy to follow. Excellent resource for beginners

Although the book said Winning at American Mahjong it mentioned Chinese Mahjong but was not helpful for a beginner. The sample did not really demonstrate this. The book was expensive and not value for money. Would not recommend.

Very helpful as I love Mah Jongg

Elaine Sandberg is a Mah Jongg instructor. This book is a follow-up on her bestseller A Beginner's Guide to Mah Jongg, which I found to be the best book out there for beginners. In Winning American Mah Jongg Strategies, Sandberg's strategies and tips are excellent and clearly written. She shows you how to choose a hand, know your power tiles, learn what to keep and what to discard, how to change a hand when you have to and basically how to sharpen your skills. There are Summaries and Practice Exercises available. At the end of the Guide, there is a quiz which poses questions and situations that you will face in every game. The answers are also given. Although this Guide is excellent, I felt the last twenty pages could have been better used. In place of the origin of Chinese Mah Jongg vs American Mah Jongg, I would have liked to see more games and strategies in its place. Also, there was an error when Sandberg referred to the wrong game card year. Every year there is a new game card printed. However, this didn't affect the strategies and tips used. I highly recommend this Guide for the Novice Player.

Great source of information for novice player.