Behind the Scenes: Profile of a Beloved and Busy Mah Jongg Teacher
One of my many repeat customers graciously agreed to be interviewed for my blog on the condition that I keep her identity and specific location confidential, as she is already finding it challenging to keep up with the requests she receives almost daily to teach Mah Jongg. I’ll say this, she is based in the Midwest, is in her mid-eighties, sharp as a tack, and was a delight to get to know!
Can you tell me how long you've been playing American Mah Jongg? And how long have you been teaching others how to play?
Over 20 years. Once I had mastered the game, I rightly thought everyone needed to learn this game. I was teaching it about a year later.
What motivated you to learn how to play, and can you talk a little bit about that experience?
I became curious about Mah Jongg in 1996 while on a trip abroad. One of our traveling companions, a stranger, mentioned missing her "Mah Jongg day" several times. She was a fascinating person, so I figured that "if Nancy loves this game so much, I should find out more about it." A few years later, while at our winter home in Florida, I heard two of our neighbors utter those magic words -- Mah Jongg -- in conversation. I asked if they played the game. They said yes. I asked if they would teach me to play, and the very next day, the two WORST teachers in the entire world began teaching me the game that would become my passion.Will you say a little bit about your experience as a teacher of MJ? For example, do you have certain teaching methods and tools that you have found work best with newbies to the game?
As a former piano teacher, I am best at one-on-one learning. After learning and teaching the game in our Florida community, I missed playing for the other six months of the year. I went to our local community center in Ohio and asked if they would advertise that Mah Jongg lessons were now available there. After the first newsletter came out, there was an immediate response. In Florida, I was teaching several tables at a time, but in Ohio, it was always 1-4 students at a time, and that is what I prefer. My packet consists of my business card, the NMJL card, and Flip4MahJongg. In their first two lessons, my students turn the business card over and use it as a marker. We discuss the flipbook and they are told that they must read it entirely at least once each week of their lesson period, and if they have any questions after that, they will find the answers in there. If they need to talk with me, they are told that they can call, text, or email me any time and I will always respond. I will always be there for them. I think this is important because at the end of their last lesson, without exception, my students all say, "How are we ever going to do this without you?!" But, THEY DO!What do you find is the most rewarding aspect of playing Mah Jongg? And the same question, but for teaching the game.
I love everything about the game! The sound of shuffling tiles, the routine of the Charleston, the challenge of looking at those 13 tiles and making sense of them, the thrill of being one tile away -- even if someone else beats you to declaring Mah Jongg, the camaraderie. And there's no bigger reward than watching the excitement when a student gets their first Mahj. We usually take a picture. I know my teaching days are numbered, but I'll do it as long as I am able.How do your students find you? And can you describe the typical number of lessons your students take with you, and if you do one-on-one or small or larger groups at one time? And do you charge? If so, what is your typical fee?
In 2018, we sold our Florida house because of my husband's declining health, so after that, I was playing and teaching only in Ohio, and only at our community center. That changed in December 2024. A woman called about Mah Jongg lessons but said they couldn't come to the center during the day because they all still work. She wanted someone to come to her home in the evenings and teach them. I told her I didn't usually do that, but something about her persuaded me to say yes. In January, I went to her home and found that I was teaching four lawyers! All brilliant, of course. I taught them on Wednesday evenings and went back on Saturday afternoons to teach four of the women's best friends. That started it all. I ended the year having taught over 80 people -- 32 of them as a result of that first phone call. And more are scheduled already this year.My classes are 3 to 3-1/2 hours long for four consecutive weeks. I go to my students' homes. Sometimes to the same house, sometimes a different house each week. I get to meet husbands, children, pets. And there is ALWAYS food and wine! Of course, there is no eating at the table, but I always encourage one or two breaks. I charge a total of $200 for the lessons, or $50 per person, payable at the end; but the NMJL card and flipbook are paid for up front. I only charge what I pay for them.
How did you first learn about my Flipbook? And, have you had a chance to look over the new, expanded third edition of my Flipbook, yet? If so, do you have any feedback for me?
When I first started teaching, I did a lot of cutting and pasting. Resources were scarce back in 2000. The day a new student came to the community center and said, "I did find this, but I think I still need to take lessons," and showed me her Flip4MahJongg book, my days of cutting and pasting ended! I flipped through it (of course) and was amazed. After 15 years of wondering WHY someone didn't simply put all of this stuff in a reasonable, logical, pleasing format, SOMEONE DID! It is now a required purchase for all of my students. I liked the Accessories & Resources page with the QR codes, and I especially liked the picture at the bottom of the page! A personal touch is always a good idea.Do you have any experience playing Asian versions of Mah Jongg? If so, can you tell me which ones and how they compare with the NMJL's version of American Mah Jongg?
Several of my players occasionally play Asian versions, but I've never been interested in learning them. I have had students who play Hong Kong Mahjong but wanted to learn the American version of the game. They say our version is quite a bit harder, mainly because there is a card, and also because our hands are much more complicated. It's harder to make a hand in American mahj.Are you familiar with Siamese MJ? How about Royal Siamese MJ? If so, how do you like playing that way? (If not, I recommend checking it out! I have a QR code in the 3rd edition of the Flipbook that takes you to the website for more info.)
My fourth lesson includes demonstrations of how to play Siamese with two players, how to play "legally" and "illegally" with three players, and how to use the bettor with five players. If I'm teaching in their homes, I also give them a money pouch containing $3.00 at the beginning of the session and show them how to play with money. They also get a couple of handouts. One contains all of the rules for playing with money. The other contains reminders and links to mahj websites so they can play online. I only learned of Royale Siamese MJ when I read through the "new" flipbook. Sounds way too complicated for me!Do you ever play for money? If so, how do you feel about playing that way?
I prefer not play for money. Of course, at the community center, it is not allowed. We don't typically keep score either, although that would be my preference over using money.Have you attended or run any MJ tournaments? If so, will you say more about those experiences?
I played in some smaller tournaments in Florida and Ohio, and once in a large one in Pennsylvania. I preferred the smaller ones. I think you spend way too much money on the larger tournaments, and your experience is not usually what you expected. Some spectacular players travel to all the big tournaments and win an amazing number of them.What advice do you have for experienced players who are thinking of becoming MJ teachers?
Now that Mahj is so popular, if you're thinking about teaching the game, be prepared to be swamped!What else would you like to say about your experience as a player or as a teacher of Mah Jongg that you think would be interesting, entertaining, or educational to my readers?
My teaching method is probably old-fashioned, but let me tell you about some of the rewards. My students are all so grateful to me. It's humbling, to say the least. They just love the game so much. And, of course, they all refer me to their friends, saying, "She is THE BEST teacher!" They have been taught personally, and they relate to that. I'm not only their mahj guru, but I'm also their friend. And I can't even respond to all the requests to join them for a mahj session—to fill in for someone who can't make it, or even as a fifth—just because they miss me! And did I mention the food?! I've been invited to mahj birthday parties, too. And the first group I mentioned invited me to a "Mahj Christmas Party." They didn't tell me it was a party to honor me, or that they were all wearing shirts printed with my name on them. Instead of saying "Mahj Squad," it had my name, est. 2025 in mahj tiles. After the mahj gift exchange, they presented me with a gift certificate for a fun new set of tiles!
Thank you so much for sharing your love of the game with my readers and me. It is my hope that aspiring Mah Jongg teachers will especially appreciate this “behind the scenes” look you gave us of what it’s like to be such a beloved and busy teacher of the game we love.
