My Retirement Learn-It List
When I retired, I made a list of things I wanted to learn. Mahjong was right at the top, next to pickleball (here's how that one is going). Spoiler alert: both of them stuck!
How I Learned
I learned the best way possible: from friends. Two experienced players sat down to teach two of us who were brand new. I stuck with it! My fellow beginner wasn't sold at the time, but now that mahjong is so popular, she's starting to come around.
Once I had the basics, I learned a LOT by playing online at realmahjongg.com. You can play against other people or just against the computer, which is what I do, and it makes practicing so much less intimidating! You can take your time without worrying about slowing down a table of players who might get antsy waiting on you. Before long, my friends invited me into their standing Thursday game.
Officially Addicted
Photo: Girl Tribe Co.
Now I also have a standing Tuesday game with three friends, plus a bigger every-other-Monday game with a whole group. Somehow, I touch mahjong almost every single day! If that sounds like a lot, just wait. It happens to everyone.
A Quick Word on the Card
I play American mahjong, which means there's a brand-new card every year. (I also have friends who play Chinese mahjong, and we're planning to teach each other!) The card is divided into sections, and while the hands change every year, the sections really don't. There's always a 2468 section, a consecutive run section and a winds and dragons section, for example. That's great news for beginners! Once you understand how the sections work, your strategy carries over from year to year.
The 2026 card will get you through March of 2027, and the new 2027 cards ship in March or April. You can order yours directly from the National Mah Jongg League, which is what I did my first few years. Now I order mine through a friend whose organization receives a charitable donation from the NMJL. If a group near you does the same, it's an easy way to give back while you're at it!
The Great Blanks Debate
People learning today are learning to play WITH blanks. But I learned from traditionalists, and for them, blanks are a no-no. My mom has been playing for MANY years, and when I tried to explain blanks to her last summer, she had no idea what I was talking about!
Me? I can go either way. I generally prefer to play without them, but I switch easily if my group plays with them. And honestly, blanks add a little sneakiness and humor to the game. Watching someone fumble to grab their tile is half the fun! So where do you land on blanks?
(Fun fact: my mom also plays canasta and a newer game called Samba. I'm not ready to branch out just yet!)
If You Want to Learn
Photo: Girl Tribe Co.
- Take a lesson with friends who already play. It's so much easier to learn at a real table.
- Practice online between games. That's how I got comfortable so fast.
- Say yes when someone invites you to play, even if you feel slow.
- Be patient with yourself for the first few weeks. Everyone stares at the card at first!
What You Need to Play
Besides your tiles and the card, you'll want a good mat and a rack and pusher for each player.
A Mahjong Mat
There are so many mat options right now that it really comes down to personal preference, and of course to which tiles you end up buying. Some people buy the whole set together, and others love to mix and match. Then I found this one, and OMG, it's gorgeous! It's a 33-inch square of non-slip natural rubber covered in palm trees and pink flowers, and it's going on my Christmas list. It's a good price point for my girls to buy for me! I also love that the basic directions are printed right on the mat. It's great even for experienced players, because sometimes you just need the reminder: play right, walls left!
For racks, there are two styles. Both are great, so it just comes down to what you like.
Racks and Pushers, Option 1: Clear Acrylic with Grippers
I just gave these to my daughter for her birthday! They come as a set of four, and I love that they have little grippers on the bottom so they don't slide around on your mat. So smart. (My daughter actually prefers the style with a swinging arm, which brings me to Option 2.)
Racks and Pushers, Option 2: Clear Acrylic with Magnetic Pushers
These are my personal favorite. The pusher arm attaches with a magnet, so it's easy to take off. And I love clear acrylic because it matches any tiles or mat!
Choosing Your Set (From Save to Splurge)
Sets are the most fun part to shop for, and there are SO many good ones. I'm still deciding which one to ask for this Christmas! Here are all my favorites in one place, starting with the most affordable. And remember, luxe doesn't have to mean expensive! A $$ set you love can feel every bit as special as a $$$$ splurge. Tell me which one you'd pick!
$$ = $50 to $150 · $$$ = $150 to $400 · $$$$ = over $400
Cute and Affordable: Mahjongolé Light Purple Tiles$$
I bought this set for one of my daughters, and it was so cute that I got one for myself too! It's affordable, and the designs are adorable, like perfume bottles and flowers in little vases. The jokers are the best part, with a cowboy boot and a wine glass among them! It comes with all 160 tiles and a tile bag.
Pink Mahjong Travel Set$$
I don't own this one yet, but I might just treat myself for travel! The mini pink tiles come with their own zip bag, four racks and a how-to-play booklet, so game night can happen anywhere.
Girl Tribe Co. Floating Mahjong Tiles and Mat$$$
Mahjong at the pool? Yes, please! These pink floral tiles are made from a lightweight material that actually floats, and there's a matching floating mat to play on, so the whole game can go right into the water with you.
My Traditional Mahjong Set$$$
This is the very traditional set I bought on Amazon when I first started, and it's a great place to begin if you want to learn the classic way. Just a heads up: it doesn't come with enough blanks if your group plays with them!
When Worlds Collide: Pickleball Mahjong Tiles$$$
My two favorite hobbies in one set! These tiles have pink backs covered in pickleballs and paddles, and the jokers are little pickleball players. It's a complete 160-tile American set with a storage box, ready to play right out of the box. (New to pickleball too? Here's why I think it's the perfect midlife sport.)
Oh My Mahjong Palm Royale Tiles$$$$
OMG, these Palm Royale tiles from Oh My Mahjong are definitely on my Christmas wish list! They have a fresh, resort-inspired look in lush greens and pinks, and they'd look so pretty on my pink Oh My Mahjong mat.
The Big Splurge: Oh My Mahjong Pearlescent Bundle$$$$
This one is on my wish list too! If you want to go all out, this bundle has everything in one gorgeous box: 160 pearly pastel acrylic tiles, a pink Heron mat, Blue Lace Agate racks and pushers, and a metallic tile bag. It all wipes clean, and it's from a women-owned brand!
The Fun Stuff
Photo: Girl Tribe Co.
Now for the extras! None of these are must-haves, but they make game night even more fun.
Kyte Living Pajamas in Mahjong
Confession: I'm not a pajama person. I'm usually an old t-shirt kind of girl. But these bamboo pajamas from Kyte Living changed my mind! They're unbelievably soft and so comfy, and the Mahjong print is just perfect for any true mahj addict. Dreaming of jokers, anyone? They'd make a great gift, too!
Case-Mate Jelly Tote
This jelly tote is the perfect bag for carrying all of your mahjong things! It's roomy enough for your set, racks and card, and the jelly material wipes right off if a drink spills. It comes in lots of pretty colors, too.
A Simple Dice Dish
There are some really fun dice holders out there, but I love this simple, classic one in white ceramic with a scalloped gold edge. It comes in other colors too. It's not a must-have at all, just a pretty little touch for your table, and it makes a thoughtful little gift for a mahjong friend.
Joker Tile Glass Ornament
A glass ornament shaped like a joker tile, with glittery stripes along the edge like the back of a tile. It's such a fun Christmas or hostess gift for your mahjong friends. After all, everyone wants a joker!
Hosting a Game at Home
This is where mahjong really gets luxe for me. It isn't about spending a fortune. It's about a beautifully set table and friends you love! I love hosting games at my house, and I always put out at least two snacks: one salty and one sweet! Lately it's been peanut butter stuffed pretzels and jelly beans. Bite-size snacks are the way to go, since everyone's hands are busy with tiles.
Mahjong is social, but it's not your typical girls' night out. I like having snacks and drinks around, but too much wine and I stop thinking strategically, so it's usually water for me!
Hand Blown Glass Snack Bowls
These hand blown glass snack bowls from Bam Bird Boutique would look so elegant on a mahj table! They come in four colors, so you can match your set or your mat. I love the Pink Olive.
Mariposa Mahjong Scallop Napkin Box Set
For entertaining, this is such a pretty touch: a scalloped white napkin holder filled with cocktail napkins printed with painted mahjong tiles. It makes a great hostess gift too.
Jollity & Co. Mahjong Print Plates
For a party or a tournament, these plates are so fun! They're covered in pastel mahjong tiles and pair perfectly with the napkins.
You can play on any square or round table. My kitchen table is just a LITTLE too big (lots of reaching to grab your tiles!), so I bought this folding table, which I think is the perfect size. There's enough room for your card and snacks, while traditional card tables can feel a bit small unless you add a pretty side table for snacks.
Cosco XL Fold-in-Half Card Table
At 38.5 inches, it's a little roomier than a standard card table, and it folds in half to tuck away between games.
White Round Pedestal Drink Table
If you play on a smaller table, it's great to have a side drink table or two. I don't have these yet, but they look so chic, and they're affordable! The raised edge on the marble-look top keeps a drink or snack plate from sliding off.
Mahjong Table Lamps
These cordless gold lamps are SO cute, and they sit right in the middle of your table setup. Their soft glow makes an evening game feel cozy and so elegant!
As for what you play for, that depends on your group. My original group plays for money, but my other groups play for trinkets! I'm team money, but I have to admit the trinkets are fun.
Little Prizes for the Winner: Christmas Mini Figurines
A tiny prize for each mahjong keeps the game just as exciting! This set has 32 little resin figurines, from Santas and snowmen to gingerbread men and candy canes, so there's plenty to go around for a whole season of holiday games.
A "Mahj Money" Coin Purse
You need somewhere to keep your coins or trinkets! This pink beaded pouch spells out "mahj money" in pearls, so whether your group plays for cash or prizes, your winnings have a chic place to land.
Mahjong for a Cause
I've helped host two mahjong tournaments for the charity organization I work with most, and picture this: more than 200 people in one room, all playing at the same time!
There were amazing prizes for the winner and a fabulous lineup of raffle prizes too. Everyone snacked on little bento boxes, and at our last tournament we even had a signature cocktail, the Mahjong Pomegranate Fizz (at least, I think that was the name!). We also held a silent auction and a "mat pull," which works like a wine pull, but with mahjong mats. It was such a fun way to raise a little extra money for our favorite organization.
The hardest part of an event like this? Finding a room big enough! Our tournament has grown a ton over the last few years, and we still haven't found a somewhat affordable venue that holds more than 200 people. We know we could sell more tickets than that, so a bigger space is on the agenda for next year.
The Mahjong Pomegranate Fizz
Tart pomegranate juice with gin (or vodka), a little citrus and a sparkling top, finished with floating pomegranate seeds to match the red dragon tile!
To make one at home: Fill a tall glass with crushed ice. Pour in 1.5 oz gin or vodka, 2 oz pomegranate juice and 1/2 oz fresh lime or lemon juice, and give it a quick stir. Top with club soda (or prosecco, if it's a celebration), then finish with a spoonful of pomegranate seeds and a sprig of mint.
Passing It Down
My girls have all learned to play too, so now they need sets of their own! Which, of course, is the perfect excuse to go shopping. (The lavender set I got for one of my girls is up in Choosing Your Set.) If you're shopping for a twenty-something mahjong fan, my gift guide for 20-something daughters has even more ideas.
Grab Three Friends
If mahjong has been on your list too, this is your sign. Grab three friends and find someone to teach you. I'll see you at the table!
xo, Kim