Name: Ron2 (RonRon)
Owned by: Mahjong Network Service
Endorsed by: Japan Professional Mahjong League
Language: Japanese (English version expected early 2007)
Rules: Reach Mahjong

Using 'Ron', the Japanese word for winning a hand on someone else's discard, RonRon (Ron2) is our top pick for online Mahjong!

The biggest obvious disadvantage is the lack of an English interface, but that will be added soon. The second is the cost of 525 yen/month to be a member. There is, however, a 14-day trial and an option to become a 'Survey Member' for free with limited access and records. Please check the chart at the end of this description to choose the best plan for you. The third is no chance to gamble but it is still a great place to brush up your skills and offers an on-going record and ranking system so that you can see how you are doing and how far you have come.

The initial set-up is a little tedious if you become a Full Member because of the payment options, but once you pay and get started, everything is great. Since we have a Full Membership, that is the play we will recommend and explain here.

Starting the game just takes as long as loading the Java software. You don't need to save it on your computer and you can log in from any machine and play any time.

Ron2 offers East-Round and Half-Game (East and South Round) options and offers 3-4 platforms for each type of game. In the Ron2 Training Room you play by JPML's B-Rule (1st Chance and Hidden Lucky Tiles are used). The Ron2 League Room is currently out of service. In the Reach Battle Room you can play with red lucky fives and use a more complicated ranking system. The Free Play Room you can set up your own tables with or without passwords and play against Survey Members as well. There is also a chat area includes a password option where members can talk, hang out and even conduct discussions regarding previous games.

One of the best things about Ron2 is that it is not necessary to search for open tables. Just click on the 'join game' button and once there are 4 players ready to go, you're in! This is a huge advantage to most of the Online Mahjong systems out there that require you to set up tables yourself and wait for others to find and join them.

The game itself is quick and doesn't have too many complicated buttons. To discard you simply click on the tile you don't need. If you want to discard the tile you just drew you can click on the table or the drawn tile. If you have the chance to steal a tile from another player you just need to click on the tiles that you will use with the stolen one. If you don't want it, just click on the table surface. There is no time lag waiting for people to pass on unnecessary tiles that they couldn't use anyway. It does give you a few seconds to decide if you want to use it and even offers a sound warning when the time is running out. There is also an auto-win button so that you won't miss that important tile!!

During games there is a chat function for players and a seperate one for spectators so nobody's hands get sold out.

Another function that makes Ron2 worth the price is the game record. Not only does this system record your wins, losses, points and statistics, it also keeps your past 100 games on the server so you can go back and look at anyone you want. This is great for review and also figuring out just maybe why you didn't win that last hand... These games can also be opened and discussed in chatrooms!

The final big decider for Ron2 is its endorsement from the Japan Professional Mahjong League. There are nearly 100 members of JPML throughout Japan playing on Ron2 (not all at the same time) and you can watch these games, chat with the pros, and even watch recent games of the members since the Pro's previous 100 games are also all saved on the server.

Ron2 is definitely the best system for practice, study and refinement of your Reach Mahjong skills. Can't wait for the English version but also can't speak Japanese? No problem, we've broken down the registration process here so you can join in the fun now!

If you have any problems feel free to contact Ron2's tech support, they will support you in Japanese and/or English.