Last spring, a few of my girlfriends organized a Mahjong lesson with Mahjong Molly and invited me to join. I was intimidated, and if I’m being honest, not totally thrilled with the idea of learning what seemed to be a super complicated game. My fear of FOMO reigned strong though, so I agreed to join and I’m so happy I did. I have been absolutely hooked ever since.
Some of you may be asking yourself, what is Mahjong?! Mahjong is a traditional Chinese game that involves skill, strategy, and a quite a bit of luck. It’s typically played with four players and a set of tiles marked by various numbers/characters/suits {kind of like a deck of cards}, and a card that lays out all the options of which tiles you can piece together for a winning ‘line’ AKA how you win and call ‘Mahjong!’
TLDR: you are basically drawing and discarding tiles to try and achieve a winning ‘line’ as quickly as possible.
Like I mentioned earlier, we took 2 lessons from Mahjong Molly, a local teacher based here in Dallas who was great. My recommendation for learning how to play is to take a lesson or two, or have a friend who knows the game well enough to teach you. Since there are quite a few rules to Mahjong {and it’s a bit more complicated than your standard bridge or backgammon}, it’s important to have a knowledgeable and patient teacher to show you the ropes. If you don’t know of anyone who can teach you, this is an amazing, in-depth resource with a full ‘how-to guide.’
My biggest tip is practice, practice, practice! Not only do you become more knowledgeable of the rules, you become quicker at playing and build confidence in your abilities. The games can average anywhere from 15 to 45 or so minutes depending on the speed and skill level of the players. When we first started playing, my friends and I would sit in silence, concentrating too hard to attempt a conversation. Now, over a year and many games later, we can easily chat, drink wine and play all at the same time. It really is such a fun and social game!
Another reason I love Mahjong is the transportable nature of it. We pack up our racks and tiles and bring them with us all the time – to a girls lunch, hanging by the pool, play dates, a weekend at the ranch…It’s my favorite way to catch up with a friend these days. I keep all of my Mahjong supplies in my L.L. Bean Boat and Tote or this Barrington Gifts monogram tote – perfectly roomy and easy for schlepping. Because there are quite a few pieces to the game, {and they can get pricey} it’s best to keep them safe in one spot so nothing goes missing.
Below I’m going to break down all of my favorite Mahjong products with both splurge and save options:
Tiles
- The Mahjong Line is undoubtedly my go-to for fun Mahjong finds. Truly, the most beautiful acrylic tiles that are as much fun to look at as they are to play with. However, be warned you will be making an investment in this hobby if you decide to purchase via TML. The Mahjong Line does have a plethora of colorways and styles with themes like The Ocean Line, The Botanical Line, and the Mountain Line to choose from. I have the these from the Minimal Line and these from the Mountain Line which we purchased for Colorado. How appropriate?! I also love supporting a local business – they’re Dallas born-and-bred!
- For a more cost-effective option, Amazon has amazing options that get the exact same job done. My mom owns and loves this set which includes the tiles, racks, and a bag for carrying, all for under $100. This is a great way to dip your toes in the Mahjong water without making a huge financial commitment to the game.
The Big Sky Mahjong tiles from The Mountain Line x The Mahjong Line
Racks + Protective Bag
- I also purchased my racks from The Mahjong Line but Amazon has options like these and these for just around $30. I also purchased this racks bag which protects my racks from getting beat up and keeps them looking nice and new.
Cards
- The ‘card’ is one of the most important aspects of Mahjong – it is your North Star when playing the game. As mentioned above, it is the listing of all the possible ‘lines’ you can go for. An updated card comes out annually but older versions of the card work just fine. The 2024 version was actually just released!
Tablecloths and mats
- Tablecloths and mats can be used interchangeably when playing Mahjong. You really just need something to put the tiles and racks on top of as to preserve the surface you’re playing on. Also, to allow the tiles to slide across the table easily. I received this Mahj All Day mat for my birthday that I am obsessed with – I’ve already gotten so much use out of it! I also love this Pearly Gates Designs one. Have received so many dm’s and questions about it. My favorite tablecloths come from Fenwick Fields – everything they do is so beautiful! They have a line called ‘Scalloped Square Table Toppers’ which is a perfect fit on the square game table I use.
Travel game table
- I purchased an easy foldable square game table from Amazon earlier this year and it’s been great. It’s sturdy, easily transportable, and allows us to play pool side, in the yard during playdates, or whereever our children take us. I’ve also brought it to friends houses in the past who don’t have a permanent game table. Also love that it’s $50. A few of my friends have this one which has a wood finish and is a great option if you want the look of a permanent game table but don’t want to have to spend $$$ on one. Once you drape a tablecloth over the top, no would would know what is hidden underneath!
Fun unnecessary add-ons
- I love this mini set which is perfect for travel {especially airplane travel}. It packs so well, taking up very little space in a suitcase or carry-on. This would also make for a fantastic gift!
- These $20 mini Amazon lamps live on my game table. Tiny but mighty, they provide more light than you would think! Super chic.
Whether you’re a seasoned Mahjong lover or learning for the first time, I hope this post serves as a helpful resource for you and your loved ones. x
