The Game

In the 1920s, Mahjong made its way to the West, especially to the United States, where it quickly became a cultural sensation.

Joseph P. Babcock, an American working in China, played a pivotal role in introducing the game. He simplified the rules and published “Rules of Mah-Jongg” (also known as the “Red Book”).

Western manufacturers capitalized on its exotic appeal, mass-producing sets and promoting it as a fashionable, international pastime.

Mahjong spread rapidly among American households, elite social clubs, and even Hollywood circles.