#1 Mah Jongg treats dementia

Mah Jongg requires players to stay mentally sharp throughout the duration of the game. You’re constantly using the littlest of clues to decipher what the other players might be hiding in their hands, what type of player they are, and at the same time, you’re trying to form a winning hand of your own. Remembering the rules and memorizing other player’s movements is all part and parcel of being able to win in Mah Jongg.

#2 Mah Jongg improves cognitive development

Mah Jongg plays a massive role in improving a person’s memory skills and sharpening your mind. The way it works is kind of like doing crossword puzzles. It helps people to make faster decisions and making better observations.

#3 Mah Jongg makes a great social activity

Mah Jongg makes an excellent social activity for socialization, which plays a vital role in preventing their isolation.

#4 Mah Jongg teaches patience

No one sits down at a Mah Jongg table for 5, 10, or even 30 minutes. When you take a seat at a Mah Jongg table, you don’t expect to get up until hours later.

The best part is that you don’t even realize how fast time flies in the midst of all those pretty-colored tiles.

Beyond that, Mah Jongg’s gameplay is somewhat uniform and your movements are practically robotic. You wait for other players to pick up a tile, and discard another one until your turn comes.

That’s where the element of patience comes into play. The game requires you to be patient, whether it’s sitting down for long hours, waiting for your turn, or waiting on your tile, patience is a significant factor in the game.

Needless to say, that’s a wonderful attribute to have in any person.

Adapted from an article by Mahjong King, Jan. 23, 2016.