Konno’s Kolumn: Qualify for the WSOM in Macau
By Shintaro Konno
Hello Mahjong players of the world. I am Shintaro Konno. Ten years have passed since I became a professional player. I joined this world with the idea that I didn’t want to live a life where I had to wear a suit and tie a necktie around my neck, but now, with the classes I teach, the games I play in and the study sessions, more days than not I tie that necktie and go to work. That is how much this industry has changed in 10 years.
Until 2 years ago, I had never travelled abroad and I didn’t even own a passport. When I joined this industry I didn’t have much interest in other countries and I didn’t think I would have any reason to travel outside of Japan.
However, just like the professional mahjong world has changed, the environment and surroundings of mahjong itself is also changing daily. Of course, the internet must play a big part in this progress. Now, there are many people around the world interested in Japanese-style mahjong.
Within all of that, two years ago in September, there was a mahjong tournament in Macau called the WSOM (World Series of Mahjong). In that series, one of the events was a Japanese-style Reach Mahjong tournament.
It was for this event, two years ago that I first travelled abroad to join as a staff member. For someone like me that can only speak Japanese, it was difficult to run the tournament, but Jenn and Gemma helped me out a lot and the tournament went smoothly.
This year I will probably be in Macau again in August. The WSOM will be held from August 19-23 this year.
The venue for this year’s event has been moved to the Venitian, the biggest hotel in Asia, and besides the Reach Event, there will also be the WSOM-rules Main Event and a High Roller Event, for a total of 3 tournaments.
If you’ve read this far, perhaps you have some interest in these events. But, when it comes to travelling abroad, the airline ticket, room and board and entry fees for events really adds up.
I bet some of you are thinking, “If only I could cut some of the costs… But there’s probably no way…”
Now there is.
I know I sound like an infomercial, but you have a chance to join the fun too.
Right now ReachMahjong.com is holding monthly tournaments and those tournaments are serving as qualifiers for the WSOM Reach Event in August. In other words, if you win one of these qualifiers, you will get a full package, including an airline ticket, hotel accommodations and entry into the tournament.
The next events are to be held:
May 15th (Saturday)
June 13th (Sunday)
July 19th (Holiday)
August 1st (Sunday)
Besides the tournament entries, there are lots of other prizes for participants and you can also get the hand histories from past tournaments.
All the details will be on ReachMahjong.com
Win the tournament and join Jenn, Garthe and I in Macau.
We’ll see you there.
