Finding a mahjong club near you can be hit or miss, because most groups are informal and never get a website. Here is where groups tend to meet, what to ask before you show up, and how to get to a table even if you have never played.
Where mahjong groups tend to meet
Most mahjong groups are informal, so the best way to find one is to know where they gather. Good places to look:
- Community and senior centers. Many list regular game days alongside bridge and other card games. Check the activity calendar or call the front desk.
- Public libraries. Look at the events calendar, or ask a librarian whether any game groups use the community room.
- Jewish community centers and other faith communities. American Mahjong has long been popular in these social circles, and some run regular game days.
- Restaurants, bars, and wine bars. Plenty of venues host mahjong nights. These are often the easiest way to try a table without committing to anything.
- Facebook groups, Meetup, and Nextdoor. Search for your city plus the word mahjong, then read recent posts to see whether the group is still active.
- Friends, neighbors, and coworkers. A lot of groups never advertise at all. Ask around, because someone you know probably knows a table that needs a fourth player.
Check which kind of mahjong they play
Mahjong is not one game. American Mahjong is played with a card of valid hands that the National Mah Jongg League updates every year. Chinese, Hong Kong, and Japanese (Riichi) styles use different tiles, scoring, and rules. A group that plays one will not feel familiar if you learned another.
Before you go, ask which style the group plays and, if it is American Mahjong, which year’s card they use. Not sure how the styles differ? Our guide to American vs. Chinese mahjong breaks it down.
Questions to ask before you join
A quick message to the organizer saves an awkward first night. Ask:
- Are beginners welcome? Some groups are open to new players and some only play with experienced ones.
- Which style do you play? And for American Mahjong, which card?
- Do I need to bring a set? Some groups provide one, others expect each player to bring theirs.
- How often do you meet? Find out whether you can drop in or whether it is a fixed group that needs the same players each week.
- Is there a cost? Some groups are free, and others charge per session or per season.
A friendly group will be glad you asked. If a group is not, that tells you something too.
If you are new, learn first and then join
Sitting down with an established group as a total beginner can feel like walking into a conversation halfway through. A short lesson fixes that. You learn the tiles, how to read the card, and a full game, so you can follow along at almost any American Mahjong table.
Want a head start? Read how to play American Mahjong, then skim our notes on mahjong etiquette so the table manners are familiar before your first night.
Play with So Bam Fun
So Bam Fun hosts public mahjong events in cities across the U.S., set up so you can show up on your own. There are three ways to play:
- Beginner Mahjong Lesson. A structured 2-hour class for first-timers. No experience needed, and all materials are provided.
- Guided Open Play. Practice with an instructor nearby. Best for players who have taken a lesson.
- Open Play. Game time for experienced players, with no instruction.
Come solo or bring a friend. We provide the tiles, and many guests arrive on their own and get paired with other players at the event. New events are added every month at set venues, so check the events page for dates near you.
We teach in New York, Austin, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Nashville, Orange County, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Washington DC.
No group nearby? Start your own
All you need to start a group is four players, a set, and a current card. Many of the best groups began with a handful of friends who learned together.
If you would rather skip the fumbling, book a private lesson. A So Bam Fun instructor comes to your home or venue, brings the tiles, racks, and cards, and teaches your group from scratch in a 2-hour session. No experience is needed, and by the end you have a table ready to keep playing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything people usually ask before or during a session. Still stuck? Email us at hello@sobamfun.com.
Is there a mahjong club near me?
There may be one closer than you think. Many groups are informal, so check community centers, libraries, and local Facebook, Meetup, and Nextdoor groups, and ask friends. If you are in a city where So Bam Fun teaches, see our events page for public mahjong events.
Can I join a mahjong group as a complete beginner?
Some groups welcome beginners and some only play with experienced players, so ask first. Taking a lesson beforehand makes it much easier to join any group. So Bam Fun’s Beginner Mahjong Lessons are designed for first-timers.
Do I need my own mahjong set to join a group?
It depends on the group, so ask before you go. At So Bam Fun lessons and events, tiles, racks, and cards are provided.
Can I come to a mahjong event alone?
Yes. Many attendees come solo and get paired with other players at the event. All tiles, racks, and cards are provided, so just bring yourself.