The title game of mahjong, a game in which players match sets of tiles, similar to the Western card game of rummy, originated centuries ago in a different form in China. In the United States, it was adopted primarily by Jewish American women in the 1950s. It has been a means of building community in both countries and around the world.

The game is played with a set of 144 tiles engraved with Chinese characters and symbols. The tiles used to be made of bone, but now more commonly are made of plastic or bamboo.

The tiles’ adornments include dots, bamboo, characters, winds, dragons, flowers and seasons. The tiles are akin to cards and are shuffled. The tiles are arranged in four walls to begin play. Four players typically are required, and each player begins with 13 tiles. Winning hands use all of one’s dealt tiles in a pong (set of three identical tiles), kong (four identical tiles), chow (three suited tiles in a sequence), and/or eyes (pairs). There are rule variations, but the winner is the first player to hold a rule-compliant complete hand for a total of 14 matched tiles. The strategy is offensive and defensive: To complete a winning hand as quickly as possible, while blocking other players by not discarding tiles useful to them.

The game’s name derives from a Chinese word for sparrow. Some say that the shuffling and clinking of tiles against one another echoes the sound of sparrows.

It has been called the “game of a hundred intelligences.” This is likely because it requires skill, strategy and luck. A good memory, fast thinking, the ability to read an opponent’s moves and being able to change strategy quickly are definite assets.

The game’s most popular variations are Chinese mahjong, Japanese mahjong and American mahjong. Jewish American mahjong uses special cards delineating winning hands.

I enjoyed watching my Filipina mother play mahjong with her girlfriends when I was a child. I also belonged to a mahjong group when my children were young. We met monthly in each other’s homes, sharing stories over cocktails, while exercising our minds. I continued playing with my mother and my daughter during holidays, primarily, and substitute in various established mahjong groups today.

My mother is an avid player. She is rather ruthless in her pursuit of wins. She plays for money with her girlfriends, and almost always wins. She plays for bragging rights when she plays with her family.

My mother plays the game fast. She does not even have to view the tiles to know what they are. Their carvings reveal their faces to her nimble fingers. If my daughter or I take too long determining our next move when we are playing with her, she says things like, “I’m reading the newspaper over here!” We laugh every time. Seeing her glee when she wins is enough to make me want to throw her a game or two. But I never have to, because she is an adept player.

Today, there are leagues and tournaments for serious players in almost every state. The National Mahjong League was formed in New York City in 1937. The U.S.-based National Mahjong League, Inc. and the American Mahjong Association serve as regulators in the U.S. The first global mahjong tournament took place in 2002 in Tokyo. The World Mahjong Organization was founded in Beijing in 2006. The largest tournaments currently are held in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. There are even popular mahjong cruises.

Mahjong lessons are widely available, though the game is not difficult to learn. There are books and online versions, to give those curious a taste of the game. I found learning the game of bridge to be much more difficult and time-consuming.

In China, Mahjong therapy has been developed to help individuals suffering from dementia or cognitive memory difficulties, following studies in Hong Kong that demonstrated its efficacy. Much has been written and studied about exercising one’s mind via puzzles or games to keep our wits sharp.

Playing mahjong also is great fun. The camaraderie developed is a means of social self-care. Isolation can cut years from one’s life and cause depression. Games can connect and add levity to one’s days. Friendships can be built by playing mahjong. Intellectually stimulating social engagement created by playing mahjong is a win-win for all involved.

When my children were young and I was lucky enough to be an at-home mother, I savored the time spent in adult conversations during my mahjong nights. When my adult daughter comes home, playing mahjong with her and my mother brings me joy. And joining a mahjong game today with friends gives my brain a workout, while strengthening relationships with people I enjoy.