Classes and Open Play
Introduction to American Mah Jongg. Join us for an introductory course on the wonderful game of American Mah Jongg. You'll get your hands on the tiles and a 2025 National Mah Jongg League card so that can get a real feel for the game. In this session, you will get you familiar with the goal of the game, the terms used in play, and a breakdown of the tiles and other parts of an American Mah Jongg set. We will help make sense of the National Mah Jongg League card and walk you through set up, dealing, a little dance of the tiles known as "the Charleston," and get you started on your first round of play. No experience is necessary. Please contact us to get notified when this class is scheduled.
Advanced Skills. You've learned the basics and are now ready to sharpen your Mah Jongg skills! In this class, we will review the mechanics of play with the focus on strengthening your skills on the elements of the game that turn good players into great players. You will learn tips and tricks from experts on what and when to pass in the Charleston and how to select your best hand from the National Mah Jongg League Card. This course focuses on mastering the art of the game in a supervised structure to help players gain confidence and strategizing skills. This class can be taken more than once and is encouraged until a player has a solid handle on the mechanics of play and the NMJL card. This class requires players to have had prior instruction and are familiar with the NMJL rules. Please click here to get details about our upcoming class on August 22, 2025.
Advanced Strategies. This class is for players who are looking to push themselves to new Mah Jongg heights. We do Charleston exercises that help train you how best to make decisions on what to pass and what to collect. These exercises also quicken your pace in this phase of the game. You will begin to glean useful information from the table, your opponents and players' racks at every step of the game to best set yourself up for winning. One key to success in knowing which strategy to apply at the various stages of the game. We break down strategies to use during early game, mid-game, and end game stages of play. We will also raise your awareness to all NMJL rules (even the ones not in the League's own rule book!) to expand your knowledge of the game to Master Level! Please contact us to get notified when this class gets scheduled.
Guided Play. These ongoing sessions are for players who are comfortable with the rules of play but who would still like someone peeking over their shoulder a bit to build skills and encourage confidence in playing. We run through various Charleston exercises, give tips on the best use of jokers, and advise when you should "dog" your hand. This class requires players to have had prior instruction and are familiar with the mechanics of play and the NMJL rules. Please contact us to get notified when this class gets scheduled.
Open Play. These 2-1/2 hour sessions are for experienced players who want to connect and play with other experienced players. This class requires players to have had prior instruction and are acquainted with playing according to the NMJL rules. Click here for our August 7, 2025 class and click here to reserve your spot for the September 3, 2025 class!
Beginner Classes at the New Orleans Jewish Community Center. Sheila currently teaches beginner Mah Jongg classes at the New Orleans JCC. In this beginners' class, you will learn the basics of American Mah Jongg. This includes learning what comprises an American Mah Jongg set; how to “wash” the tiles, create— and then break— the wall; how to deal, and do the Charleston. You will also learn the mechanics of play: selecting a hand; drawing, discarding and calling tiles; proper use of jokers; and announcing "Mah Jongg" when you win! This class is comprised of 12 hours (2 hours for 6 days over a two-week period) and has 12 participants. Learn more about the New Orleans JCC Beginners' Class here.
Private Beginner Classes. Do you and/or your friends want to learn the game in a more intimate setting where all the focus is on you? This class is for small groups and offers 8 hours of instruction with one instructor for every table of players. Heavy hors d'oeuvres and non-alcoholic drinks are provided for each class. This class covers the same ground as the New Orleans JJC class (see above) but with more individualized attention geared to you and your style of learning. Please contact us to for more information, to select dates for YOUR personalized class, or to get added to a wait-list for us to curate a small class that includes YOU!
So You Want to Buy a Set. Should it be a modern set or a vintage set? What’s up with all the different tile materials, and does it matter what the tiles are made of? What accessories are must-haves? Where's the best place to shop for a set? This class not only explains all these nuances to you, it makes many sets and accessories available for you to see and feel so that you can determine what strikes your fancy! Bone and bamboo? Chinese Bakelite? Bakelite or Catalin? Resin? Melamine? Plastic? We have vintage and modern sets alike, to touch and see for yourself! Be careful! We aren’t responsible if you become addicted to collecting sets! Please contact us to get notified when this class gets scheduled.
Rules for Playing with Two, Three, or Five Players; Betting; and How to Successfully Start Your Own Mah Jongg Group. We have all the rules to teach you how to play with two players (Siamese, if you please), three players (no Charleston!), and even five players (hint, one of you can get snacks and not interrupt the flow of the game!). Plus, we will teach the rules on how to bet on other players as a spectator! Knowing how to play with more or less than four players makes Mah Jongg more accessible and entertaining no matter the number of friends who pop over to play. Once you know how to manage any number of players, we will give you tips on successfully starting your own regular game. As a bonus, this class will expose you to a few "house rules" that your own game can choose to add to play or not (for example, how to play with a "dummy wall" in a three player game). Contact us to get notified when this class is scheduled.