Hello, and welcome. If you're reading this, you have either (a) found my blog through a search engine, which means the SEO is already working, or (b) received a direct link from me personally, in which case, thank you for taking the time, and please bookmark this page.

My name is Bob Loblaw. I am an attorney by training and a mahjong player by calling. I have been playing American-style mahjong for approximately six years—long enough to have developed what I would describe as a comprehensive strategic framework, but not so long that I've lost touch with the fundamentals that make this game truly great.

I'm starting this blog because I believe the mahjong community deserves better discourse. I've spent time on the existing forums and mailing lists, and frankly, the signal-to-noise ratio is unacceptable. Too many people sharing opinions without the strategic rigor to back them up. Too many "tips" that are just recycled anecdotes. This blog will be different.

What You Can Expect

On this blog, I will be covering the following topics, among others:

  • Strategy Analysis — Deep dives into specific hands, discards, and decision points. I will explain my thought process in detail so that readers at all levels can benefit.
  • Tournament Reports — Firsthand accounts from local and regional tournaments. I will be honest about results (mostly) and provide actionable takeaways from each event.
  • Equipment Reviews — Tiles, racks, pushers, mats, carrying cases. I've been through a lot of gear and I have opinions. Strong ones.
  • Rules Discussion — The NMJL rulebook is, in my assessment, a living document that raises more questions than it answers. I intend to explore the gray areas.
  • Guest Posts — I don't do this alone. My wife Linda is also a player and will be contributing periodically.

About Me

A few things you should know about me before we proceed:

I am a member in good standing of the National Mah Jongg League. I attend the Wednesday night mahjong circle at the Glenwood Community Center. I am a charter member of the Greater Tri-County Mahjong Society (founded 2001, currently 11 members, two of whom are on probationary status following incidents I'd rather not discuss here).

I hold a Juris Doctor from a law school that I'm not going to name because that's not what this blog is about. But I will say this: the analytical skills I developed in law school are directly applicable to mahjong. Reading a discard river is not unlike reading a witness. Recognizing a hand pattern is not unlike identifying a legal precedent. Both require pattern recognition, logical reasoning, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.

I play primarily with a Yellow Dragon mahjong set (the 2001 model, before they changed the tile weight) which I consider to be the gold standard for serious home play. More on equipment in a future post.

A Note on Tone

I take this game seriously. Some people find that off-putting. That's their prerogative. But I believe that if you're going to do something, you should do it with commitment. Mahjong is not "just a game." It's a 2,500-year-old strategic discipline that rewards preparation, punishes carelessness, and reveals character.

At the same time, I try to be fair. I will credit good play when I see it, even from opponents. I will acknowledge mistakes when I make them. (I am told I do not always do this. I am working on it.)

Looking Ahead

I have several posts already outlined for the coming weeks. My next post will be a legal-style analysis of the 2004 NMJL card, which I believe has some interesting ambiguities that the community hasn't fully explored. After that, I'll be sharing my proprietary strategy for the Quintessential Quints hand, which I've been refining for the better part of a year.

Thank you for reading. Please tell people about this blog. Word of mouth is how great things grow.

— Bob Loblaw, Attorney at Tiles