Game of Mahjong or Mah Jongg

Did anyone watch the recent conversation with Julia Roberts on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert? She said that she plays mahjong with her girlfriends once a week because it calms her. Something about the concept that playing could create order out of chaos.

Apparently, the game is excellent for improving memory skills as players have to be mentally sharp; really quick to remember the rules of the game, remember the tiles that have been thrown out and possibly what tiles their opponents could be holding. Another very important activity is to calculate points mentally.

The game could be played just for fun and need not be a form of gambling. It provides an excellent social interactivity and reduces isolation for people especially the elderly.

I have friends who play mahjong regularly. They have stopped asking me to join in after I declined their invitation on several occasions. I do not know how to play the game or try out online mahjong that is available from the apps store. Friends find it hard to comprehend my lack of interest as my grandma used to have friends coming to the house almost daily to play a few rounds of the game.