The Blog — Mahj & Away

Notes on the game, the table, and the circle — written for players at every stage, from a first Charleston to a hundredth.

• Is Mahjong Good for Your Brain

  Mahjong loads memory, pattern recognition and fast decision making all at once, which is why it holds up better than most solo puzzles as mental exercise.

• What Do You Need to Play American Mahjong

  Everything you actually need to sit down and play American mahjong, from the 152-tile set to the annual League card, and how the American game differs from Chinese mahjong.

• Mahjong Etiquette for Beginners

  A plain-English guide to American mahjong etiquette for new players, plus what to look for in a first set.

• American Mahjong vs Chinese Mahjong

  A clear, practical comparison of American and Chinese mahjong, including tile counts, jokers, the Charleston, and which version is easier to learn first.

• Best Mahjong Set for Beginners

  A practical guide to choosing your first American mahjong set, from tile count and jokers to racks, cases and the one accessory people forget to buy.

• Bachelorette Party Mahjong Orlando

  A practical guide to planning a bachelorette party around American mahjong in Orlando, from beginner lessons to open play and where the tables go best.

• Where Can I Play American Mahjong in Orlando

  A practical guide to finding American mahjong games around Orlando and knowing exactly what you need before you sit down at a table.

• Mahjong Group for Beginners Orlando

  A practical guide to joining a beginner mahjong group in Orlando, from your first lesson to the unwritten etiquette at the table.

• American Mahjong Jokers

  A clear, rules-based guide to American mahjong jokers, including exchanges, Charleston restrictions, and how jokers affect your strategy.

• How Long Does It Take to Learn American Mahjong

  Most people can play a full hand of American mahjong after one lesson, but reading the card fluently takes a few weeks of regular play.

• How to Read the NMJL Card

  A section-by-section walkthrough of the NMJL card, from suit colors and dragon symbols to concealed hands and point values.

• Private Mahjong Lessons Orlando

  A straightforward guide to learning American mahjong in Orlando, from your first private lesson to sitting down at open play.

• Mahjong Classes for Beginners

  A plain-English guide to learning American mahjong from scratch, including what a first lesson covers and when you're ready for open play.

• Mahjong Retreat

  A plain explanation of what a mahjong retreat is, what happens during one, and how American mahjong players around Orlando put theirs together.

• How to Play American Mahjong

  A clear, beginner-friendly guide to American mahjong, covering the NMJL card, the Charleston, joker rules and how a turn actually works.

• Mahjong Game Night Orlando

  A practical guide to American mahjong game nights around Orlando, from beginner lessons to open play, and what actually happens at the table.

• What American mahjong actually is

  The NMJL card, the Charleston, and jokers — a short primer on the version of the game we play, written for someone who has never sat at a table.