Instruction for every stage of your game
Whether you’re picking up tiles for the first time or sharpening your competitive edge, find structured American Mah Jongg instruction — from your very first game through advanced strategy and competitive play.
Level 1 · Learn to play
Fundamentals of American Mah Jongg
Three 3-hour sessions · $100 per student
This is where every Mah Jongg player begins. Over three sessions, you’ll go from “what are these tiles?” to playing a full game of American Mah Jongg with confidence. Sessions are typically scheduled one week apart, but we’ll work around your group’s calendar.
- Tile names, suits, and block building
- Reading the NMJL card and building hands
- The Charleston — passing strategically to set up your win
- Pick-and-discard play, calling tiles, and Joker exchanges
- Declaring Mah Jongg and scoring a winning hand
Enrollment options
Open enrollment
Sign up individually or bring a friend. Classes form in groups of 4 — add yourself to the waitlist and we’ll reach out when your class is forming.
Private group
Have friends who want to learn together? You set the dates and choose the venue — host in your home and your tuition is free. Groups of 4 to 16 with advance notice.
Hybrid
Have a partial group? We’ll fill the remaining seats from the waitlist while accommodating your group’s scheduling. The host still receives free tuition.
Scheduling & class size: Classes are arranged in multiples of 4, with one instructor or assistant per group of 4. Minimum enrollment is 4 students; larger groups receive the same personal attention through this ratio.
Monthly · $25 each
Workshop Signature Series
Already past the basics? A monthly program designed to take you from capable to confident. Each workshop is a one-hour, standalone session — drop in for a topic that interests you, or follow the full sequence for a structured path from intermediate to advanced play. Every workshop is themed around a classic song, because learning strategy should be a little fun.
1 hour · $25 per student · last Thursday of each month (tentative). November and December may vary for holidays. Workshops are typically followed by 1–2 hours of open play — tiles provided. Bring your NMJL card.
Intermediate Series · Skill building · January–June
No. 01
Movin’ On Up
The Jeffersons theme
Your roadmap to better play
More
The big-picture workshop. Get your roadmap for the full series, an introduction to intermediate and advanced terminology, a deep look at hand shapes and their strategic implications, and a clear view of what separates a beginner from a skilled player.
No. 02
Choices
“Choices” · George Jones
Choosing a hand
More
The most important skill in Mah Jongg — and the one most players underestimate. Covers the four stages of hand development, tactics for refining your selection, option planning, and Jump Starts to get your hand moving fast.
No. 03
Let’s Dance
“Let’s Dance” · David Bowie
Improving your Charleston
More
Master the Charleston through structured skill-building exercises and live demos. Common Charleston situations, how to exercise your options, when to pass defensively, and when to take risks.
No. 04
A Change is Gonna Come
“A Change is Gonna Come” · Sam Cooke
Annual card analysis
More
A fresh look at the new NMJL card each year. Statistical analysis, pattern recognition, and the strategic implications of the new hands — so you walk into the new season ready.
No. 05
Paperback Writer
“Paperback Writer” · The Beatles
Rules deep dive
More
A thorough walkthrough of the NMJL rulebook — rules on the card, rules not in the book, the most commonly asked questions, common house rules, and how to use the MahjLife Wiki as a reference.
No. 06
Respect
“Respect” · Aretha Franklin
Etiquette & sportsmanship
More
Skill makes you good — sportsmanship makes you welcome. The F.A.I.R. framework (Fairness, Accountability, Integrity, Respect), the do’s and no’s at the table, pace and flow, joker exchange etiquette, and an interactive “Savvy or Sneaky?” segment. We also cover group culture, physical manners, hot topics, and close with 10 tips for your next game.
Advanced Series · Strategies · July–December
Best for players who have completed the Intermediate Series or have solid experience. Not sure if you’re ready? Take the self-assessment.
No. 07
Man in the Mirror
“Man in the Mirror” · Michael Jackson
Internal awareness
More
Game theory, critical thinking, and social acuity — starting with yourself. Profiling your own playing style is the foundation of everything that follows in this series.
No. 08
Colors of the Wind
“Colors of the Wind” · Menken & Schwartz
Styles of play
More
The four playing styles — Stingray, Orca, Dolphin, and Shark. What they mean, how to identify each one at the table, and how to adjust your game to defend against each style.
No. 09
Private Eyes
“Private Eyes” · Hall & Oates
External awareness
More
Intel gathering, reading hands from exposures and discards, observing tells, and knowing when and how to pivot when your read on the table changes.
No. 10
I Will Survive
“I Will Survive” · Gloria Gaynor
Risk assessment
More
The Risk Assessment Matrix, wait patterns, and the push/fold decision point — a framework for calculating when to play aggressively and when protecting the table is the smarter move.
No. 11
The Gambler
“The Gambler” · Kenny Rogers
Push/fold judgement
More
The art of the end-game decision. Position, hand strength, wall count, and the judgement framework for knowing when to push toward Mah Jongg and when to fold.
No. 12
The Wall
“Another Brick in the Wall” · Pink Floyd
Wall & discard planning
More
Hoptoi’s core strategy — dividing the game into phases by wall, planning your discards, and applying the right tactics at each stage from the Charleston through the end game.
In person · 2 hours · $50
How to Play Online
Curious about playing Mah Jongg online but not sure where to start? This hands-on workshop walks you through getting set up on one of the major online platforms so you can practice and play from home on your own schedule.
What to bring: A laptop or tablet. Prefer your home desktop? We can arrange a home visit to get you set up instead. Best for players who have completed Fundamentals or have equivalent experience.
In person or Microsoft Teams · 1 hour · $50
Private lessons
Work directly with your instructor on the skills that matter most to you — general improvement, a specific strategy, preparation for competitive play, or anything in between. For individuals or small groups of up to four.
Together we’ll build a personalized improvement plan — pinpointing your strengths and gaps and mapping clear next steps to make you a stronger, more confident player.
In person — we meet at a location that works for you. Online — lessons via Microsoft Teams (installed beforehand); a meeting invitation is sent once your lesson is scheduled.
Not sure what to work on? Ask about the MahjLife Experience Level Evaluation (ELE) program — a great way to identify where to focus your practice.
Not sure where to start? We’ll help you find the right fit.
Contact us