In 2024, I started seeing a game called mahjong pop up on my Instagram feed. Suddenly, it seemed, all of my friends in other cities were playing mahjong with their mom friends. I saw post after post of friends proudly holding up a rack of coordinated tiles to the camera after winning a hand. They were always with other women and had a big smile on their face.
I was intrigued. When I came across a local mahjong group that was offering an open play event and lesson for beginners, I stepped way out of my comfort zone. I went by myself to see what the hype was about.
Almost immediately, I fell hard and fast for mahjong. I got my neighborhood moms, and subsequently dads, into the game. We play at least once, if not twice, a week. I ordered a set of tiles, and then another to play with, followed by accessories like a pretty mahjong mat to play on. And then last month, I leveled up my newfound hobby even more. I became a mahjong teacher with the group I learned from. Safe to say I’m obsessed.
“I fell hard and fast for mahjong. I got my neighborhood moms, and subsequently dads, into the game. We play at least once, if not twice, a week.”
In the time it took me to completely fall head over heels, mahjong continued to gain popularity. Even Meghan Markle talked about playing it with her friends on her hit Netflix show With Love, Meghan.
Playing mahjong is for moms in 2026 what Bunco was for our moms in the ’80s and ’90s, and I’m here for it. Here’s everything you need to know to start playing mahjong with your friends.
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First, what is mahjong?
Mahjong is a game that originated in Southern China in the 1800s. The name means ‘sparrow,’ as some people say the clacking sounds the tiles make when players shuffle them sound like the bird. The goal of the game is to be the first player to match their tiles to one of the allowed winning combinations.
You may have seen mahjong in the movie Crazy Rich Asians. Rachel and her mother-in-law, Eleanor, are seen picking up and discarding tiles. At the end, you can see Eleanor getting the tile she needs to win the hand.
Mahjong also appears in the TV show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Joel’s girlfriend, Mei, and her family run an illegal mahjong parlor underneath his club. There are also scenes showing his mom, Shirley, playing on vacation in the Catskills.
Mahjong made it to the States in the 1920s. In the late 1930s, a group of Jewish women in New York City standardized the rules for American mahjong. They founded the National Mah Jongg League, which boasts over 350,000 members today.
There are multiple differences between the Chinese version and the American version of the game. One of the biggest is that the potential combination of winning hands does not change in the Chinese version. For the American version, the National Mah Jongg League issues a new set of potential winning combinations each year.
Mahjong gives me a sense of community
Poker games have long been known as a fun guys’ night activity. They’re an opportunity for people to get together and socialize. It doesn’t matter if people know everyone at the table or not because there’s a shared interest that everyone can bond over.
In general, though, games are a social connector. Each generation seems to have an overwhelmingly popular game for moms to play. For my grandmother and her friends, it was the card game bridge. And for my mom, it was a dice game called Bunco. For many of the Jewish women I play with, mahjong has always played a major role in connecting moms.
Mahjong is this generation of moms’ game, meant to bring women together to build and strengthen a sense of community. The moms before us craved this connection, and nothing has changed. In fact, in a post-pandemic world, I’d argue that the need to connect with others has only grown.
Playing mahjong feels like being part of a club
Meghan Markle characterized the sentiment perfectly on her show.
“The game itself is really so fun,” she said. “But what was so great was the idea of learning something new with your friends, together, and then recognizing that the mahjong becomes the background of the expansion of friendship. It’s the feeling of community.”
And it’s true. I’ve gotten a lot closer with my neighbors and other women I play with. It’s a common thread we can talk about. The act of simply getting together with a shared goal of learning and playing together has led to stronger friendships.
I like knowing that I’m part of a broader community of women who love mahjong. When I see someone wearing a mahjong hat or posting about mahjong online, I often start a conversation. It feels like being part of a big club. It’s comforting to know that I could join a game anywhere and feel like I belong.
Mahjong doesn’t require a lot of people or time to play
You only need four people for a full mahjong game. You can also play versions with just two or three people if needed. This makes it extremely easy to get a game together. People are more likely to do something when there is a low barrier to entry.
Because my neighborhood is so obsessed, I can usually find a foursome to play with in a couple of minutes. There’s always a handful of people who can slip away after putting their kids to bed to play.
One game of mahjong typically takes around 30 minutes. It’s feasible to play a couple of games and still go to bed early. That said, I usually find that a few hours fly by when I play, as it’s so much fun.
Playing mahjong has health benefits (no, really)
Having hobbies has scientifically proven benefits. Things like health, happiness, and life satisfaction are all higher for people with hobbies. Depression symptoms are also lower.
On top of that, one study found playing mahjong also lowers your risk of dementia. Another study found playing mahjong can help improve cognitive functions like reaction time, focus, and memory. Mahjong requires you to strategize about what combination you should go for, and you have to actively pay attention.
I’ve picked up a few hobbies since becoming a mom. I love needlepointing because it gives me something creative to do and gets me off my phone. But there is a difference between stitching solo versus having a hobby where I also get to connect with other people and use my brain.
How to start playing mahjong
1. Learn the basics
You’ll want to take a mahjong lesson if you’ve never played before. The card that shows the possible winning combinations can seem like hieroglyphics at first until you know how to read it. There are also a lot of nuanced rules to the game.
I took a two-hour lesson to start with. That’s what I teach now, too. It typically takes about an hour for me to explain the set-up of the game and the rules before we start playing. The first game that people play is usually slow. It’s so fun to see the lightbulb moment happen when things start to click into place, though. People usually leave excited and itching for their next game.
2. Get your own card and tiles
At a minimum, you’ll need a card from the National Mah Jongg League and a set of tiles and racks to play. My friend found a set of mahjong tiles from Hobby Lobby for under $20, and there are plenty of sets on Amazon for under $100. There are more expensive options that are popular, too.
3. Find a group
Local mahjong lessons and groups are popping up all the time. Seek out local lessons, inquire in neighborhood online groups, or hire a mahjong teacher and host a girls’ night.
I don’t see my love of mahjong waning anytime soon. It lets me connect with existing and new friends, allows me to use my brain strategically, and has clear health benefits. So if you’re looking to make new mom friends, consider taking a mahjong lesson and jumping on the trend, too.
This set has everything a new player will need—a quilted case, fully engraved tiles, and a pusher and tile rack combo. The bag will help keep everything organized between games.
With 168 beautiful blue-backed acrylic tiles, this American Mahjong set adds some color and vibrancy to your weekly game.
3 colors available
This gorgeous mat captures what is so beautiful about playing Mahjong with friends—that slow, unhurried feeling that can feel impossible to grasp in the middle of a busy week. The design will add a touch of elegance to your weekly game.
3 sizes available
Another gorgeous mat option that is soft to the touch and offers a comfortable, flexible playing experience. This one has non-slip backing that makes it ideal for Mahjong.
3 designs available
This custom bag fits a full mahjong tile set, racks, and a mahjong mat with extra room for your card and accessories. It will keep everything organized in one convenient place!
10+ colors and fonts available
These cards are your one stop shop for everything Mahjong—they feature current winning hands and complete rules for tournament and casual play. The four back bundle ensures everyone at your game will have all the info they need.
How to host a mahjong party
If you’re hosting a mahjong party for the first time, don’t worry too much. Mahjong should be a fun and engaging way for you and your friends to catch up and spend quality time together, not a source of stress. That being said, here are some of the essentials you should have on hand for hosting your first mahjong party.
- A four-person table for you and your friends.
- A complete mahjong set with playing mat, tiles, and tile racks—if having more than four guests, have a friend bring an extra set.
- A set of official mahjong cards with playing rules and winning hands.
- A bright overhead light or softer table lamp so players can see the tiles clearly.
- Fun appetizers and drinks! Think non-crumbly snacks like a nut, fruit, and cheese board, and easy-to-serve drinks like wine, seltzers, or a pitcher of a themed cocktail.
This rechargeable, cordless table lamp offers soft, adjustable light and is perfect for your mahjong game—especially since it can be moved around and used indoors or outdoors.
9 colors available
This is your one-stop shop for everything mahjong: 166 tiles, a portable, roomy bag, tile racks, sleeves for the racks, and a beginners’ manual.
2 colors available
To go with your fun drinks, these cocktail napkins feature five colorful mahjong designs and add a touch of style to your regular game.
Make cleaning before and after your game just a little more fun with these mahjong-themed dish towels. Also perfect for a mahjong-themed hostess gift.
For those who want to keep their card safely tucked away, without sacrificing style. The plastic sleeve inside will prevent any creases or tears.
multiple styles and fonts available
These line markers pair perfectly with the official mahjong booklet and will help dedicated players find their winning combo. Plus, they can be personalized for a cute hostess gift.
10+ colors available
FAQs about mahjong
A full game of mahjong requires four players, though you can play modified versions with two or three people. That low barrier to entry is part of why it’s easy to get a game going on short notice.
One game typically takes around 30 minutes, which makes it realistic to fit in a couple of rounds on a weeknight and still get to bed at a decent hour.
In Chinese mahjong, the winning hand combinations stay the same year to year. In American mahjong, the National Mah Jongg League releases a new card of winning combinations every year, so players are always learning new hands.
Yes, most beginners take a lesson before playing. The card that lists winning combinations can look confusing at first, and the game has a lot of nuanced rules. A typical beginner lesson runs about one to two hours and covers setup, tile reading, and basic strategy before you jump into a real game.
Yes. Research has linked mahjong play to a lower risk of dementia and improvements in cognitive functions like reaction time, focus, and memory, since the game requires active strategy and attention.
At minimum, you need a card from the National Mah Jongg League showing that year’s winning hands, plus a set of tiles and racks. Beginner tile sets can run under $20 (Hobby Lobby carries basic sets), mid-range sets are available on Amazon for under $100, and more elaborate designer sets can cost significantly more ($300-400).
Elliott Harrell, Contributing Writer
Elliott is a mom of two little girls and is based in Raleigh, NC. She spends her days running a sales team and doing laundry and her nights writing about the things that she loves. She’s passionate about all things motherhood and women’s health. When she’s not working, writing or parenting you can find her trying a new restaurant in town or working on her latest needlepoint project.
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
Kathy Sisson has been a key contributor in the editorial parenting space for nearly a decade, not only as a full-time editor at The Everymom but previously as a freelance writer for top parenting sites, including Scary Mommy, Motherly, Parent Co., and more. As an editor at The Everymom, she has produced hundreds of articles on a range of parenting topics, reviewed dozens of family-focused products, interviewed leading experts in the children and parenting world, and created viral parenting social media content. A mom of two, she is committed to sharing the honest, helpful, and often humorous stories of motherhood.
