How an Ancient Game of Skill, Strategy, and a Bit of Luck Mirrors Financial Planning and Investing

How an Ancient Game of Skill, Strategy, and a Bit of Luck Mirrors Financial Planning and Investing

By Alicia Sher, CFP^®

After hosting my second Bluerock Mah Jongg event (if you’re unfamiliar with the game, keep reading!), I’ve been reflecting on the many similarities between this centuries-old game and my career in financial planning. Who would have thought? The connections between the two are fascinating, and I think they’re worth sharing.

A Brief History of Mah Jongg

Originating in China in the 1800s, Mah Jongg gained global popularity in the early 1900s before fading just as quickly. However, pockets of dedicated players—particularly Jewish women—kept the tradition alive, adapting the rules into what is now known as American Mah Jongg. The National Mah Jongg League, established in the 1930s, continues to thrive today.

My Mah Jongg Memories

For me, Mah Jongg is intertwined with childhood summers in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. I can still hear the rhythmic clicking of tiles, the lively chatter and laughter echoing from the patio, and the spread of snacks fueling the players. I didn’t understand much about the game back then, but I knew one thing: when I grew up, I wanted to host my own games, enjoy great food, and share those moments with friends.

My real introduction to Mah Jongg came unexpectedly. One evening, my mother’s game was short a player. What now? Well, when you spend weeks in the Catskills, you eventually run out of entertainment, so playing Mah Jongg quickly became a much-anticipated highlight (Bingo was a close runner-up!). In a matter of hours, my mother, grandmother, and a family friend had me up to speed, turning me into a semi-functioning fourth player—at just 12 years old!

Fast forward to today, and I’m thrilled to see Mah Jongg gaining popularity in Atlanta and throughout the South. Growing up, I mostly saw it played in the Northeast, but now I want to make sure future generations keep this treasured game alive.

The Surprising Parallels Between Mah Jongg and Financial Planning

At first glance, Mah Jongg and financial planning might seem like worlds apart—but they actually share some key principles:

1. Skill, Strategy, and Risk Mah Jongg requires skill, strategy, and careful calculation, with a degree of risk-taking. It’s a game that must be taught because of its unique rules, and once the basics are mastered, players refine their approach. Similarly, financial planning requires education, strategy, and a strong foundation in key concepts to build expertise.
2. Building a Winning Hand—or Portfolio In Mah Jongg, you collect tiles to construct a winning hand. In financial planning, you build a portfolio by accumulating assets. Both require balance—having too many of one type can spell trouble. At Bluerock, we emphasize diversification, a principle that applies to both financial markets and Mah Jongg. Diversifying your tiles gives you flexibility to adapt, just as diversifying investments prepares you for an unpredictable financial environment.
3. Watching the Discards—Or Market Cues Keeping an eye on discarded tiles in Mah Jongg is crucial—just as monitoring market trends is in investing. Sometimes, the best move is to take the opposite approach. As Warren Buffett famously said, “Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.” Price is what you pay, but value is what you get. A good investor maximizes their return by buying investments on sale. Similarly, in Mah Jongg, if every player is chasing the same hand, your chances of winning diminish. Perhaps the smarter strategy is to pursue a hand with less competition—one that still yields strong results.
4. Patience and Emotional Discipline Success in both Mah Jongg and investing doesn’t come from rushing. You won’t win in the first few moves—it takes patience, focus, and resisting emotional reactions.
5. Community and Connection At its core, both Mah Jongg and financial planning foster relationships. The best experiences come from engaging with others—whether it’s laughing over tiles with friends or working with trusted financial advisors to help protect what matters most: your family, your future, and your legacy.

Mah Jongg has given me moments of joy, strategy, and connection—just like financial planning. Who knew a childhood game could reveal so much about building a strong, resilient financial future?

If you would like to learn to play the game, including attending one of our future Mah Jongg events, please let Alicia know!

Alicia Sher, Partner and Wealth Manager

Hightower Advisors, LLC is an SEC registered investment adviser. Securities are offered through Hightower Securities, LLC member FINRA and SIPC. Hightower Advisors, LLC or any of its affiliates do not provide tax or legal advice. This material is not intended or written to provide and should not be relied upon or used as a substitute for tax or legal advice. Information contained herein does not consider an individual’s or entity’s specific circumstances or applicable governing law, which may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and be subject to change. Clients are urged to consult their tax or legal advisor for related questions.