VENICE - No European championship without a special mahjong set. For the OEMC2011, the organizers have a set designed with flower tiles that depict some icons from the countless monuments and artefacts from the Italian history.

On four of the flowers (or seasons - the difference used in mahjong is never quite clear), the blue ones, monuments are displayed.

On the red flower tiles, icons are displayed that have a connection with Venice. (The OEMC2011 takes place at Mestre, which is just opposite Venice, on the 'Italian mainland'.)

MESTRE - The complete list of players in the European Championship. Plus all their team names. Who will be replacing the Chinese?

BEIJING - The announcement of the Fifth China Majiang Championship came has come as a big surprise.

For months, no word from the Chinese mahjong organisations had reached its European counterparts. Not one reaction on the invitation to come and play in this year's European championship in Italy. And then, an e-mail was sent to dozens of mahjong players all over the world, with information about a tournament on board of the Century Sun, a five star cruise ship. which sails the Yangtze river.

PARIS - Give us a money prize instead of a tourist event. Laurent Mahé thinks that it is better for the game if there would be no longer a taboo on this discussion.

Read all about it in Mahjong News, follow the discussion - or participate in it - and vote in our poll about cash prizes.