By now hopefully, all of you have received the new card.

So, sit back and get ready for some good laughs and mostly nod and count at how many you have said or heard as I am admitting I am guilty of all of them.

CHOOSING EAST - Am I east already? Who’s east? Weren’t you east last time?

AFTER THE DEAL - I needed these in the last hand. Are there jokers in this set? No Jokers again! Same old s__t. This isn’t a hand, it’s a foot.

THE CHARLESTON - Too bad it’s not last year. You might like these tiles. You’re going to love this pass. Don’t tell anyone I gave you this. Go slow on your second. Sorry, I’m stopping. There’s a whole hand going around. I’m giving you mahjongg. Can I get my tile back? 

OPTION - Give me something good. Pass me this one (pointing to space in the rack). Just give me one, I don’t know where I’m going.

BETTING - Just bet on (name), she or he is hot tonight. Pass me by. I got nothing. Don’t ask me.

DURING THE GAME - Are there jokers in this set? Who has all the jokers? So that’s what jokers look like. I think I have a partner. Hold on a second, I need to think. Whose wall? I knew I should have gone the other way. Did I pick? Count your tiles. When did that go out? Again, with the 9 bams? You called that last game. Please, someone, call mah jongg and put me out of my misery. Why do I play this game? I hate this game! I used to love this game.

DECISION TIME - I’m sitting in the no-joker seat. It isn’t the seat, it’s the tush. Do I pick from this end? Were you set? I hate to do this, but I am set. I have no hand. Oh, wait. Mah Jongg!

DECLARING MAH JONGG - That’s it! Exchanging for mah jongg. Why did you hold that tile? I am on fire today! You won the poison pot. But I’m set! I knew I should have stayed home. 

AFTER THE GAME (AUTOPSY) - Look at my hand, look how close I was. Did you pick it yourself? How much do I owe? Who threw it? What time is it? I can’t believe I am almost pie!

So, I hope you enjoyed this as I was laughing and nodding as I was writing, and must give thanks to one of our players at the Las Vegas tournament who shared this with me. 

Speaking of tournaments, let’s look ahead.

Piscataway is less than 2 weeks away, and we will say hello to 2023 and give out $5 dollars every time a hand is made in that section, play 14 rounds, 3 minis, and say hi to lots of regulars but several newcomers. Loads of vendors!

Charleston is next at the end of April/beginning of May. We can still accommodate some more players. Come join us in a historic hotel and city with great food, shopping, and at a great price. Only about 2 weeks left until the end of registration. The bonus hand is if you stop the Charleston in Charleston and make it, you will win $5 dollars. How fun!!

Tampa is in June, and we already have 100 players signed up so don’t delay. We are still thinking about the bonus hand. Any suggestions?

Lancaster is filling up and we have put aside 25 deluxe rooms for the triples, so if you are thinking about this accommodation, sign up to register as we have several taken already. Because it is after the 4th, our bonus hand will be any like numbers with the number 4.

Savannah - this city, hotel, restaurants, and sightseeing is a must on your bucket list or a revisit. The hotel is splendid, and breakfast and lunch are amazing at this boutique hotel. We also have discounts for sightseeing and can accommodate both pre- and post-night reservations at a group rate. Again, an amazing package for this historic city.

September nestled in between Labor Day and the Jewish holidays takes us back to Piscataway. We suggest signing up soon as we need an idea to take more rooms for this month.

October not one but two tournaments! Sacramento is the first week at a hotel overlooking the river and across from Old Town with great restaurants and shops. Beautiful time of the year and a short trip to Napa Valley. At the end of the month, San Antonio, enjoy wonderful weather and with great registration happening, make sure you don't miss out. You can even visit the Alamo!

November is back-to-back Scottsdale. Register for not one but two and get plenty of playing time. Beautiful time of the year and we welcome all the snowbirds back.

Finally, we wrap up the year celebrating the holidays with our Piscataway crowd. We expect a sellout for this event as we have several events for the weekend. On Saturday dig out your ugly Christmas or Hanukkah sweater. Don’t have one? Go to Target, Kohl's, or Walmart, and you can pick up one inexpensive. We want to do our own holiday card so please indulge us in this. Also, we are thinking about a holiday swap for about $10 dollars so let us know if you might be interested. And of course, food, we will be planning on extra goodies for the weekend. You can diet in January!

Looking Ahead to 2024

We have secured Piscataway for April 12-14th and plan on two more during the year. Las Vegas will be announced where and when as soon as possible and so will Charleston dates. Lancaster is secured for July 7-9th. Stay tuned for the full calendar.

A Couple of Notes

If you have a credit voucher please call. If you have a gift certificate or new gift certificate for being east (we started this in Vegas to thank our easts with a $10-dollar gift certificate) you can call or if putting down a deposit, then just note on registration, and will be deducted on the balance invoice.

Lots of fun this past tournament in Vegas and we are busy thinking of new ways to make your time with us even more fun. That’s what it is all about!!

SOOO looking forward to seeing new and returning players and wishing all who celebrate a happy holiday.

Love and Jokers,

Barbara and Jennifer