Jenn’s Corner #24: The Life of a Pro
Podcasts, columns, interviews, meetups, merchandise, running a site like ReachMahjong.com is a full-time job in itself. Thank Buddha I have Garthe and Gem.
I spent the last week working on WSOM promotion, catching up and even getting ahead on columns and interviews and playing mahjong live. I barely had time to get enough Mahjong Fight Club games in and I’m exhausted. I’ll spend the next two weeks in LA and Vegas working on the forums, working on production for my book, preparing a WSOM presentation and trying to make some money for my savings to use all over Asia for the next few months.
That’s right, by the time you all read this I’ll be in the great USofA, calling up Tom Sloper for some American “Mahj” or losing my hard-earned poker money in the tough wareme game in J-Town.
Things are crazy busy but Garthe and I are lucky to have JPML, Mahjong Fight Club, WSOM, this website and all of you.
The life of a professional mahjong player is rarely glamorous and usually unyielding, unforgiving and just plain tough.
Most pro’s work at mahjong parlors as staff members, one of the most thankless jobs in the industry. The hours are long and sporadic, the pay is cheap and when there aren’t enough for a game then the members have to jump in, gambling their own money and paying the rake like everyone else.
The next step up from a member is the prop player. They are paid to play a certain amount of hours or days a week and may or may not be using their own money. These players aren’t in the spotlight but are some of the best players you’ll ever come across.
For girls most of the work comes from guest jobs. For a decided amount of time the pro comes to the parlor and plays with the customers. The pay is good and sometimes these players are backed for their losses too.
The smart pro’s have day jobs and spend their nights and weekends playing the game. This, needless to say, does not bode well for personal relationships.
Pro’s have to really love the game and be prepared for a humble lifestyle. The best thing we can do is build new ways to do what we love. So thank YOU for helping Garthe and I to do just that.
