CERVIA - In the beautiful venue of the Hotel Dante at Cervia, last weekend for the first time in the Italian mahjong history the championship for teams took place. Sixteen teams, each consisting of four ‘friends’ (players), participated. There were trophies for the best three teams and the best five players - skipping the players who were already laureated for their team results.

There was much attention for the presentation of the teams. All had their own symbols and original names and nicknames. The prize for the most original name was for the team ‘Festina Lente’.

Many fierce battles were fought during the competition, which was played by the Italian rules: a mix of Chinese classical and Japanese riichi mahjong. After the twelve rounds, each of 55 minutes, the players of the ‘Fenice’ team were the best. This team from Cervia (Anna Tommisani, Alfredo Bonaldo, Fausto Benelli and Loretta Fantini) succeeded to beat teams like Senza Verso, Magistero, the Blues Brothers and The Hui. Runners-up were the teams of Realterronia and 'The 4 Kongs'.

Formula

The participants were very enthusiastic about the formula of the two days’ tournament. The final results were calculated by using a method of giving table points according to the Mahjong Competition Rules: 4, 2, 1 and 0 points. The individual classification, however, was made up by adding the number of chips that each player won.

The tournament was concluded with a little party, including a Power Point Presentation of the results.

The organizers were quite satisfied with the way the tournament was welcomed and the number of players. Also considering the fact that fourteen Italians played in the Open Baden (Austria), which coincided with this team competition.

Marco Foschi is the president of the Italian Mahjong Federation and of the Organizing Committe of the OEMC 2011