Curious About Mahjong? Learn to Play in a 2-Part Beginner Series Sept 2026

2-Part Beginner American Mahjong Series  ·  Downtown Boise

Why is everyone in Boise talking about Mahjong?

Because it’s more than a game. It’s strategy, laughter, friendship, and a reason to gather around a table week after week.

If you’ve been curious but weren’t sure where to begin, you’re in exactly the right place. There are many versions of Mahjong — Chinese and Hong Kong styles, plus the tile-matching games you see online — and it can feel confusing to know where to start. This series teaches American Mahjong using the official rules and playing card of the National Mah Jongg League.

Most beginners are handed everything at once — tiles, the card, the Charleston, passing, and strategy — often before the tiles even feel familiar. We do it differently.

You’ll start by simply getting to know the tiles: seeing them, naming them aloud, noticing how they relate, and building patterns. Only then do those patterns connect to the official card and the flow of the game — so you’re never making decisions under pressure before you feel ready.

This is where it begins. You’ll get hands-on with the tiles from the very first minute and start recognizing the language and structure of the game. Most people leave Session 1 saying, “Oh — this actually makes sense.”

Now that the tiles and card feel familiar, we shift into how a game actually unfolds: the Charleston, game flow, and beginner strategy, including the 6 Strategy Rules.

• Session 1 — Learn the Basics: Thursday, Sept 10, 2026  ·  10:30 AM–12:30 PM
• Session 2 — Game Flow & Strategy: Thursday, Sept 17, 2026  ·  10:30 AM–12:30 PM

• Full Series (Recommended) — $80 — best for new players
• Session 1 only — Learn the Basics — $50
• Session 2 only — Game Flow & Strategy — $50 — best if you already know the basics

This series is a natural pathway into our Thursday afternoon Social Mahjong Club — a supportive place to keep practicing and grow into regular play.

Everything you need for class is provided — no need to buy a set beforehand. See our FAQ for full prep details.

Come see what everyone’s talking about. Your seat at the table is waiting — reserve it above.