What is Mahjong?
Believe it or not, there are over 40 officially recognized variants of Mahjong, with hundreds of local and regional styles—especially across China. The main types are Chinese Classical, Hong Kong Style, Japanese Riichi, and American Mahjong—each with its own tiles, scoring system, and rules. While the core tiles are the same, some variants, like American Mahjong, use additional tiles.
American Mahjong was introduced to the United States in the 1920s and adapted for an American audience. In 1937, a group of Jewish women formalized the rules and founded the National Mah Jongg League. The game quickly became a meaningful part of Jewish social life, offering a space for connection, community, and tradition.Across cultures—Asian, Asian American, and Jewish—Mahjong has been passed down through generations, creating a rich sense of heritage that goes far beyond what many may think of as “just a game.” It’s a way to gather, to learn from one another, and to stay mentally engaged—bringing people together at the table in a truly special way.
What version of Mahjong do you teach?
We teach American Mahjong according to National Mah Jongg League rules. We reference the official League rule book, Mah Jongg Made Easy, in our classes. You will not find us teaching house rules or how to play with blanks in our sessions. We emphasize the official rules so you can play just about anywhere. Once you have a grasp of the game you can adopt house rules if you wish.
Are you a certified teacher?
This is a question I get a lot lately. There is no true certification to teach American Mahjong (or other varieties for that matter). Anyone who says they are 'certified' generally means they took a quiz from one of the newer mahjong tile companies to become an affiliate seller of their products.
I recognize that mahjong is a game, but I take my role as your instructor seriously. I attend trainings and online seminars from a few of the most reputable teachers in the field, specifically Michelle Frizzell and the team at Modern Mahjong. It is important to me that I have the latest information to share with students looking to improve their game.
How do I book a private lesson?
We teach private lessons for groups of 4-16 in your home or at a location of your choosing. Reach out via email and we can discuss creating the perfect lesson for your group. Our email is colleen@mariposamahjong.com
What do I need to bring for a lesson?
Our instructors supply everything you need to play! If you have a special set you would like to use to learn, let us know and we are happy to use it!
Where can I find your public pop-up classes?
All of our events are currently listed on Eventbrite.
What do I need to know before hosting or attending a lesson?
We will teach you everything you need to know to get started playing American Mahjong!
How long is a lesson?
Lessons are anywhere from 2-3 hours depending on the size of the group and the number of lessons booked. In our experience of teaching hundreds of players, we believe a minimum of 2.5 hours is necessary to learn the basics of the game and complete 1 game.
I attended a beginner mahjong class, what's next?
After you purchase your card from the National Mah Jongg League, we strongly encourage all players to practice online at I Love Mahj (code mariposamahjong for 3 weeks free) to familiarize yourself with the card.
We recommend watching videos from Southern Sparrow to review what you learned in class.
After your lesson, the best next step is a guided play session—enjoy two hours of gameplay with an instructor onsite to answer questions and help everything start to click. Review our offerings HERE.
I already know how to play, how can I meet other players?
Attending a guided play or open play session with us is a great way to meet new players, even if you are not new to the game. We are also working with many local venues to host free monthly mahjong meet-ups for players to drop in and play. More news coming soon!