Mahjong Club announced today that it had purchased the popular Facebook game “World Mahjong Tour”.  Played by thousands of players every day, the application provides a multiplayer mahjong game embedded within social networks including Facebook.

“We are very excited by this development, as it is an important part of our strategy to be the number one destination for multiplayer Mahjong on the internet.  We intend to significantly enhance the Facebook game, while also offering the great game play and tournaments on the download version available on the website.” said Adriaan Brink – CEO. “Zynga have shown the world that there is a market for free-play games on these social networks.  Our goal is to bring these concepts to the Mahjong Players on Facebook and other social networks.”

Brink was previously CEO of Mahjong Mania – a Dynasty Gaming company – from 2004 to 2007.  During this time he successfully launched Mahjong on a number of high profile internet sites including Ladbrokes – the UK bookmaker.  The operation ceased trading after he left.

With his experience bringing Mahjong to the internet from the previous incarnation, many are watching with interest as his latest online Mahjong strategy unfolds.  Could this finally be the time when Mahjong challenges Poker for its spot in the Asian gaming landscape?  The vital signs are all in its favour. It is arguably the most-played peer to peer game in Asia (which probably means in the world as well given the size of the Chinese marketplace).  It is hugely popular as a “kitchen table game” – in much the way that poker has its roots in America. It is played as a gambling game – players stake sometimes significant amounts on the outcome of a game. And last but not least, it combines skill and luck in a very similar manner to Texas Holdem Poker.

Time will tell, and Brink is remaining mute on the size and growth of the current operation.  We certainly watch this space with interest.