Mahjong 101: Introduction to the Game of Mahjong
Course Description:
Welcome to Mahjong 101, a casual, beginner-friendly class designed to introduce you to the fascinating world of Mahjong—a centuries-old Chinese tile-based game of strategy, skill, and a bit of luck. Whether you're completely new or have dabbled in the game before, this course will provide a strong foundation in both the rules and the rhythm of play.
What You’ll Learn:
Over the course of the class, you will:
1. Understand the Origins and Versions of Mahjong
Brief history of Mahjong and its cultural significance
Differences between Chinese, American, and Japanese Mahjong variants
Which version we’ll be focusing on (e.g., American Mahjong, Hong Kong style, Riichi/Japanese)
2. Learn the Mahjong Tiles
Suits: Dots (Circles), Bamboo (Bams), Characters (Craks)
Honor tiles: Winds and Dragons
Bonus tiles (Flowers and Seasons, if applicable)
Jokers and Blanks
3. Set Up the Game
Understanding the Mahjong set
Building the wall
Dealing tiles and seating positions
Explanation of the “dealer” role (East)
4. Basic Rules and Objective
How to draw and discard tiles
Goal: Build a complete hand (we will have cards to help with this)
Understanding melds: pungs, kongs
Calling tiles (Pung, Mahjong)
5. Winning the Game
What constitutes a winning hand
Scoring basics (we will not actually keep score in 101)
6. Gameplay Practice
Guided sample rounds
Practice drawing, discarding, and forming melds
Reading hands and recognizing winning combinations
7. Game Etiquette and Strategy Basics
Turn order and communication
Early strategy tips: defense, reading discards, tile efficiency
Materials Provided:
* Mahjong sets (in class use)
* Visual hand guides and cheat sheets
* Rule summaries and scoring reference
No prior experience required. By the end of this class, you’ll be able to sit down at a Mahjong table with confidence, understand the flow of play, and begin developing your strategy. Come ready to learn, play, and have fun!
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me, Sammi Thrasher, at 205-566-5117 or
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