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From Instagram Reels to Our First “Mahj!”: The Night I Finally Learned American Mahjong

 If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably noticed it too: Mahjong is everywhere.

For months my feeds have been filled with colorful tiles, perfectly styled Mahjong tables, and reels of people celebrating their winning hands. I’d pause on every one thinking, That looks so fun… but how do you even play?

Then a few weeks ago, during a casual conversation with a friend, the topic came up.

“I really want to learn American Mahjong,” she said.

Without hesitation I replied, “Me too!”

Within an hour we had a plan.

Finding a Mahjong Teacher (Yes, That’s a Thing!)

We started our search on the Oh My Mahjong website and I was honestly shocked by how many instructors were nearby. Mahjong may look trendy online, but clearly it’s also having a real-life moment.

After comparing a few options, we booked a private beginner lesson with Wildflower Mahjong.

Two hours.
$50 each.
And the instructor would come to us.

Sold.

Our First Mahjong Lesson

After a few weeks of anticipation, lesson day finally arrived.

Our instructor showed up with everything: tiles, racks, mat — the full setup. Which was good, because we truly knew nothing going in.

Within minutes we were learning:

  • How to recognize the tiles

  • What the mysterious Charleston is

  • How the National Mahjong League card works

  • And how to even begin choosing a hand

The NMJL card alone felt like trying to read a secret code. And just when we started understanding it… we learned we were practicing on the 2025 card and the 2026 card would be coming soon.

Overwhelming? Slightly.

Fun? Absolutely.

Our instructor patiently coached us through every step — helping us decide which hands to pursue, what to discard, and when to pivot when things inevitably went sideways.



The Moment We Got Our First “Mahj!”

By this point it had been a long work week, our brains were fried, and even our instructor gently suggested that Friday night might not be the ideal learning time.

But then something magical happened.

About 90 minutes into the lesson, my friend Erin pulled the final tile she needed and shouted the words every beginner dreams of:

“Mahjong!”



We celebrated like we’d just won a championship.

We squeezed in one more quick game before the lesson ended… and this time our instructor showed us how it’s really done, winning quickly and decisively.

Clearly we have a lot to learn.

The Rabbit Hole Begins

Before leaving, our instructor gave us homework:

  • Instagram accounts to follow

  • An iPhone Mahjong game to practice

  • Tips for playing weekly to build familiarity

  • And even how to play two-player Mahjong by running two racks each

She also told us about her parents’ weekend tradition of playing a relaxed version they call “messy Mahjong.”

Naturally, the moment she left I fell down the Mahjong rabbit hole.

Saturday included:

By Sunday I had also ordered a Solo Mahj tray so I could practice with real tiles instead of just using an app.

And I even discovered a neighborhood Mahjong open play group I may need to check out soon.

So… Am I Officially Mahjong Obsessed?

Too early to call it love.

But we had so much fun, and we both agreed we’re absolutely going to keep playing.

There’s something about Mahjong that feels like the perfect mix of:

  • strategy

  • social time

  • a little bit of luck

  • and just enough chaos to keep things interesting

And honestly? I can already see how people get hooked.

Now I Want to Know…

Do you play Mahjong?

I’d love to hear:

  • Your best beginner tips

  • Favorite tile sets

  • Where you like to play

Because if my social feeds are any indication… I have a feeling this Mahjong journey is just getting started.

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