UTRECHT - The World Championship 2010 should be played on automatic tables. Says Dutch mahjong player Barend Reijn, who, as an extra income, transacts business in mahjong tables. He has worked out a project to buy the automatic tables cheaply and, at the same time, help people in Europe buying the machines for a good prize.

In Japan and China, automatic mahjong tables can be found in many places where people play mahjong. Outside Asia, however, they are quite rare. Yet, Barend Reijn has established a small business to import these tables to Europe: Yovada Mahjong

"My first shipment of five machines is sold out, to private people in Germany and the Netherlands. Now I am in the process of ordering five or ten new ones. It is quite a fuss to get this done."

Mr. Reijn sells the tables for about 1,000 euros (some 1,500 US dollars). But, he says: when I order a large shipment for the WMC 2010, my Chinese dealer can sell them to me considerably cheaper. Also the cost for shipment will drop dramatically.

Furthermore: "When we can sell the tables after the World Championship, then the whole transaction will cost the organisation of the WMC about the same amount as the acquisition of mahjong sets. Which have to be bought anyway."

Special edition

Mr. Reijn explains: "In China, we can have a special 'world championship edition' made of the automatic tables. I think we will need some sixty of those: there will be 220 players, which means 55 tables, plus five to keep as a backup. Since each table comes with two sets, no additional purchase of mahjong sets will be necessary."

Of vital importance in Barend Reijn's plans is that the tables should be sold before the WMC. He does not try to hide this: "This will be the hardest part.  The Dutch mahjong association should make arrangements with the European member-countries that they all will take care of ten machines. The people who buy a similar machine, will have one at a very low price. Only, he will have to wait for delivery until after the WMC 2010."

He has put forward his plans to the Organizing Committee of the Dutch mahjong association, which is in charge of the WMC 2010.

So, to  be continued.