Mahjong Time has been available since 2005 and a lot has happened since then. Instead of a focus on money and game, it started out as a community with public and private chat boxes, personal information and even homepages for the players to let others know more about themselves. In the course of time, a lot of players on Mahjong Time have met each other in real life, mostly at international tournaments which are organized due to the acceptance and spreading of the international competition rules (MCR).

Initially for free, in 2006 a membership fee was asked for, with distinction in levels and facilities. But it still is possible to play for free, only you won’t build up a ranking and rating and you are limited to the amount of games you can play.

Enhancements

Over the years the rules that are implemented have been adapted to the rules set in the international mahjong world. And as a different to most mahjong servers, the feel of the real game is there: you can make mistakes and players are not warned when some possibility to make a set or mahjong turns up. Players have to make their own choices and make it in time.

Although players tend to complain, it must be stated that Mahjong Time has really listened to the wishes and wants of the players who took the trouble to ask. A fully renewed version of the site was introduced at the start of 2010 and further enhancements were made, trying to approach the real live game as much as possible.

Tournaments

Until the end of 2009 very popular tournaments were held regularly. Not only free roll tournaments that lasted about an hour and a half, but also tournaments taking six rounds of an hour each, stretched out over two weekend days. With a subscription fee but no money to win. A very nice chaos with a trophy physically sent to the winner and a virtual medal added to the personal info. Hopefully MJT will take steps to get these tournaments on track again soon.

I am not sure if it is the advertising/marketing, the barrier of membership, or even the feel of a community which does not appeal to everyone that keeps people playing at Mahjong Time, but it sometimes can be a bit of a struggle to find competitors by lack of logged in players.

Mahjong Time

This is part IV in the series 'Adrie Online' by Adrie van Geffen. Number 1 was about Kong88, number 2 about Tenhou, number 3 about eMahjong (Mahjong Logic).