Mahjong: A Fun Way to Improve Your Memory

Mahjong: A Fun Way to Improve Your Memory

If you’re searching for a fun game that will keep your brain active and improve memory retention, Mahjong Solitaire is a perfect option.

Even though it was developed hundreds of years ago, this classic tile-based game has continued to transcend borders and generations.

With its ability to combine entertainment, social interaction, and cognitive stimulation, it’s no wonder why Mahjong remains a beloved pastime for people of all ages.

Eager to know how this game can enhance your memory and overall brain function? Keep reading to find out!

The Basics of Mahjong

Mahjong is played with a set of 144 tiles that are designed with Chinese characters and symbols. These tiles are divided into three main categories: suited, honors, and bonus.

The main objective of Mahjong is to form a complete hand, which typically consists of 14 tiles arranged in four melds (sets) and the eyes (a pair of identical pieces).

(Note that this objective may differ slightly depending on the variant or preferences of the players.)

Now, a meld can either be a:

• Pung (three identical tiles)
• Chow (a sequence of three consecutive numbers in the same suit)
• Kong (four identical tiles)

The first player to complete their hand and declare “Mahjong!” wins the game.

Hold up! Because these are just the fundamental rules of traditional Mahjong, the game has evolved memorably over the past decade.

With the boom of digital gaming, Mahjong has transitioned into the online space, giving birth to new and exciting variations. One of the most popular online adaptations is Mahjong Solitaire.

Unlike traditional Mahjong, Mahjong Solitaire is a single-player puzzle game. The objective is no longer to form a specific hand, but rather to clear the entire board by matching pairs of identical tiles.

The Cognitive Benefits of Mahjong

Consistently playing this strategic and mentally stretching game allows you to experience notable improvements in various aspects of your brain function.

Let’s examine how Mahjong can boost your brainpower and improve your mental well-being.

#1. Enhances Memory

Your success in Mahjong is largely based on your ability to recall which tiles have been discarded, which are still in play, and what combinations are possible. This constant exercise allows you to strop your memory and enjoy a robust mental warm-up.

A 2020 study on PubMed showed that elderly people with mild cognitive impairment saw improvements in memory after regularly playing Mahjong​ for 12 weeks.

Another study on Frontiers, in 2022, involving children aged 6 to 15, found that their IQ scores noticeably increased after one year of playing Mahjong (particularly in verbal comprehension and processing speed).

#2. Boosts Pattern Recognition and Spatial Awareness

Mahjong also requires you to recognise complex patterns among the tiles and understand spatial relationships.

Doing this can seriously step up your ability to identify patterns and improve spatial awareness. These can be very helpful in everyday activities including navigation and problem-solving.​

#3. Improves Focus and Concentration

As you may have already gathered, Mahjong requires a great deal of strategic thinking and quick decision-making.

Winning involves simultaneously staying attentive to the state of the board while also planning your strategy.

This can be quite challenging, but it provides you with a rigorous mental refinement that is good for your concentration skills.

How to Get Started with Mahjong

Fortunately, getting started with this game isn’t as difficult as you might think.

Once you grasp the rules and tile combinations, you used to just need a Mahjong set and a few friends to start playing.

But today, you don’t need all that ceremony. The game is online, and all you need is a Mahjongg Mentor kind of great site, which has everything you need to get playing in minutes.

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