Man, what an M League finals!

I dipped back into M League just as the regular season was wrapping up. The team I backed at for the first few years of the league, Sega Sammy Phoenix, did not seem to have a post season in the cards this year. Instead, I decided to get behind Team Raiden, with the dramatic story of trying to make the post season to avoid having to throw poor ol' Hagiwara out, and trying to make it farther than they have since the founding of the league. It was an amazing post season, full of amazing mahjong, strong plays, controversial calls, and human drama. A Raiden finish in the money got everyone excited at what could be another full season with these homies, and it will be exciting to see what getting a glimpse at the dream will do for their mahjong journey.
With a tweet sending off the season written in English, some of us are hoping that M league for the 2023-24 season will widen coverage for the riichi freaks like me all over the world. We can dare to dream I guess…

After the glow of the finals faded, I started to think about which event is seen as the most important individual event to win for Japan. M League may come with the big check and the celebrity, but perhaps an event like Saikyousen is really seen as the pinnacle of mahjong, an event like EVO is for fighting games, where the winner is without a doubt considered one of the strongest players.
Further ruminating, I asked myself "What event is the most prestigious mahjong event to win in America?" We may not have the scene with the generational establishment of Japan's pro organizations, but SOMETHING has to be at the top. Climbing a ladder is one thing, but seeking to be the best in the country is quite another. Who can lay claim to the title? Is there an event that can even produce that title? I decided to go looking for answers, and even though I don't know if I have the right ones, hopefully I'll be looking in the right direction. I have not been in a "travel to events" sort of income bracket for quite a bit, and if i had that money, most of the time until recently I would have sprung for a fighting games major like EVO. I am getting introduced to the world of American mahjong for the first time!

Of course, the world gathers for the WRC

If there is any event that is probably seen as "the top" it's gotta be the WRC. Of course it is NOT an American event at all, but as essentially the World Cup of the game. It doesn't feel like hyperbole to say that the Americans that make it the farthest in this event could be easy contenders for the title of the strongest.

While it's is an easy thing to just say, "The strongest American at WRC is the strongest player overall" That just doesn't feel right! Many of the strong players who made it far repping the US are also sanctioned JPN pros. It makes sense that they are the strongest. Where can I find the strongest "amateur"? Are there more consistent events around the country that the strong gather at? I started to look around for "Who hosts the largest offline tournaments in the US?" and the answer is that there are a series of clubs that run events all over! There are MANY clubs all over the country, and some of them do hold offline events. I am going to showcase just some of the large events that are coming up soon, and the clubs that put them on. There are mahjong clubs all over the US! If you're looking for one, try visiting Jellicode's World Riichi Map, then try and visit or find their socials!

Riichi Nomi, One of the most open clubs in the country!

New York City, NY
twitter: nycriichinomi
Youtube: RiichiNomi
Next Organized Event: Riichi Nomi Open 2023 June 17-18 (full)

One of the most active groups I've joined. Does a lot of open meetups in NYC, has online league meetups as well. You can purchase a membership even outside of the physical service area of the league for online games, training, and other benefits! I think they even send you out a little sticker? 
It looks like the next event they're going to run, the Riichi Nomi open, is booked solid! I know a lot of y'all from nyc if you're coming here adjacent to fighting games, so at least pay attention to what you have in your backyard if you haven't! They've got a very solid production as well. Looking forward to what they'll be able to do with coverage!

The Pacific Mahjong League, San Francisco Bay Area's Jansou

Fremont, CA
twitter: pacificml
twitch: pacificml
Next Organized Event: PML Riichi Mahjong Open 2023 Oct 07-09

Streams their league games. One of the big features of this club is that they seem to have a by appointment place to play! They have rates for an hour, or for the day, as well as a membership that includes participation in events. They often stream their league games! 

Chicago Area Mahjong, Ascending to a New Level

Schaumburg, IL
twitter: ChicagoMahjong
stream: N/A
Next Organized Event: 2023 Chicago Area Riichi Tournament

It seems to me like this group is just recently taking it to the next level by announcing their own event. Now i KNOW that I know mahjong-curious people in the Chicago area, so I hope you all take a look at this upcoming standalone event and consider throwing your hat in! I'm sure they'll be trying to recruit at CB this weekend!

So these are the big offline events I could find coming up, and the clubs that host them. Putting on events is such a heavy burden, especially in this economy, so I have a special level of respect for everyone who makes these happen! I will have to get to one eventually once I can get my money up!

Many of these players and organizers network and labor tirelessly to provide spaces for players new and experienced to play for the title of the best, and they do so simply for the love of the game and the vision of building the mahjong community. Y'all keep it up! 

As for the original question… it will be interesting to see how WRC themselves allocate spots for the US, and then how the American community responds. Which players will form our national team, the group of players that will represent us at the Big One in Tokyo 2023?

Till next time!