How to Find a Mahjong Group Near You, or Start Your Own
The most reliable places to find an American Mahjong group near you are community centers, public libraries, senior centers, synagogues and churches, and country or social clubs. Local mahjong teachers and tile shops also know which groups have open seats. If none of those work, start your own: you need three other people, one set, and a regular day.
Where to look
| Where | What you'll usually find |
|---|---|
| Community centers and JCCs | Weekly open play, often with beginner sessions |
| Public libraries | Free drop-in games and learn-to-play classes |
| Senior and active-adult centers | Daytime games, often several tables |
| Synagogues and churches | Member groups that welcome newcomers |
| Country and social clubs | Regular games for members |
| Local mahjong teachers | Classes, and a list of groups looking for players |
| Tile and game shops | A bulletin board, events, and people who know the local scene |
| Facebook, Meetup and Nextdoor | Neighborhood groups and "fourth wanted" posts |
Search for "mahjong" with your town's name on Facebook and Meetup, and check your library's event calendar. When you find a group, ask when their next beginner session is.
What to ask before you join
- Do they play American Mahjong with this year's card? (Some groups play other styles.)
- Is it open play, or a fixed foursome looking for a substitute?
- Do they play for money, and how much?
- Do they welcome beginners during a hand, or only at a beginner table?
How to start your own weekly game
- Find three people. Friends, neighbors, or other beginners from a class. Keep a list of two or three backups for weeks when someone can't come.
- Pick a regular time. The same day and time every week is what keeps a group going.
- Rotate hosts. Take turns hosting so no one person does all the work. (Hosting tips.)
- Agree on house rules once. Stakes, three-player games, and what happens on a wrong Mahjong. (Etiquette and house rules.)
- Fill empty seats early. Ask your backups as soon as you know someone can't come.
Our app has a free Plan tab for exactly this: who's coming this week, whose house it is, and one tap to offer an empty seat to your backups.
Practice between games
Weekly players get better fastest when they play a little between games. Our free daily hand gives you one full game a day, the same deal for everyone, so your group can compare results before you meet.
Frequently asked questions
- Where can I play mahjong near me?
- Try community centers and JCCs, public libraries, senior centers, synagogues, churches, and social clubs. Local mahjong teachers, tile shops, and Facebook or Meetup groups for your town also list open games.
- How do I start a mahjong group?
- Find three other players and a couple of backups, pick the same day and time each week, rotate hosts, agree on house rules once, and fill empty seats as early as you can.
- Can beginners join a mahjong group?
- Yes. Many community centers and libraries run beginner tables or classes. Ask a group when their next beginner session is before joining an experienced table.
No signup needed. New to the game? Start with June’s free lessons.