Screens Down, Tiles Up: How Chris Welsand Is Building Real-Life Connections Around the Mahjong Table

From Charleston to strategy — Chris walks beginners through every step of the game

Meet Chris Welsand, the vibrant force behind Mahj in the Midwest, teaching Mah Jongg across Fargo, Brainerd, Duluth, the Twin Cities, and Superior. Chris learned the game just last year from a lake neighbor and went all in almost overnight — and now she's building a community of players through birthday parties, corporate lessons, guided socials, and her signature Mahj & Mingle 101 Beginner Bootcamp. In our conversation, Chris talks about what makes her lessons click for different kinds of learners, why she believes Mah Jongg is the perfect antidote to our screen-heavy lives, and the sweet story of two widows who found lasting friendship over a Mahjong table. Grab a drink and settle in — this one's full of heart.

Stacey: Chris, we haven’t actually met in person (yet), but I feel as if I already know you just by “meeting” you through your website, https://www.mahjinthemidwest.com. As I mentioned in my email, I am so impressed with what you offer there. Not only is your site visually vibrant and welcoming, it’s also filled with so many fun ways to engage with Mah Jongg! So let me say, “Kudos to you!”  Let’s start off with you telling my readers a bit about yourself, where you teach, and how you came to be such an avid Mah Jongg player, and very quickly after that, an expert teacher of the game:

Chris: Thank you! I hope everyone feels that way when they visit my website!  A little about me…I’m a wife of an introverted accountant (32 years!), proud mom of a 22-year-old daughter who just graduated from Ohio State University and is adulting in Columbus, Ohio. I currently split my time between Fargo, North Dakota and a lake home in central Minnesota. I was born and raised in Minnesota and went to college in Wisconsin, I’m a Midwest girl through and through with a 2-year stint in London, England for my husband’s career. I’m a type A, black and white, “all in” personality gal! My signature color is hot pink. And I love cold plunging.

Chris Welsand, founder of Mahj in the Midwest — teaching Mahjong across Fargo, Brainerd, Duluth, the Twin Cities, and Superior

I teach Mahjong primarily in Fargo, ND and Brainerd, MN and the surrounding areas, but also teach in Minnesota and Wisconsin (where I have family and friends). I learned the game last year from a lake neighbor from Texas and fell in love instantly with the game and went all in! 

Stacey: Wow, you learned the game only last year? That’s incredible! I have some questions about your wonderful website. Did you have a team help you design it? What kind of experience has it been building and running your own website? And for those readers of mine who are either teaching MJ now, or seriously thinking about teaching, and are considering starting a website, do you have any advice for them? For instance, what do you wish, in hindsight, you had known back when you started your website, that you know now?

Chris: These are great questions. I use Wix and literally whipped up the website while at my in-laws visiting over a week at the holidays. I had a photography business for several years when my daughter was little and had a website at that time too, but that was MANY years ago. I would recommend to others consider what is most important for them to have on their website. There are loads of options to choose from, just make sure to select one that best fits your needs. 

Stacey: Moving on, please describe the events you offer on your website, like Birthday Mahjong Lessons, Family Lessons, Corporate Team Lessons, and your Mahj & Mingle 101 Beginner Bootcamp. Such fabulous ideas! If you have some fun stories about how they came to be, and perhaps an especially endearing or humorous experience that happened at one or more of these events, that would be great, too:

Chris: I love events! I used to coordinate events for nonprofits so brainstorming ideas is right up my alley and one of my favorite things to do. I offer lessons in ways that I would love to partake in. Who doesn’t want an Adult Birthday Party with Mahjong lessons??? 

Stacey: The event titled “Bams & Brews Mahjong Guided Play!” sounds especially intriguing to me. Will you elaborate on what goes on at these fun-filled, social times?

Chris: Guided Play and Social Plays are always a fun time! I am big on nametags, people introducing themselves, enjoying drinks and snacks and making it a social time. I love people connecting around the Mahjong table! My goal is always to help people learn the game better and create get their own crew around a Mahjong table. 

Nametags on, tiles out — Chris believes every good lesson starts with real introductions

Stacey:This may see a bit off-topic, but stay with me here and you’ll see where I’m going . . . I am wondering now, if you are familiar with the best-selling, nonfiction book, “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt? I’ve been listening to the audio book, and I am finding it fascinating. The main theme of the book is how modern life around the world has become so unhealthy (especially for kids, but also adults) because of the popularity and widespread use of the smartphone. I won’t list all the reasons why Jon’s premise seems totally justified to me, (he lays out an alarmingly scientific, research-based case for his claims), but I will say that I believe that one of the reasons Mahjong is having a huge popularity swell these days is because so many people are desperate to get away from their screens, and socialize in person, face-to-face with other people --- and they are discovering what you and I have known for years, Mahj is the perfect antidote!

So, this is a rather long-winded way of me congratulating you for offering the public in your area such a variety of ways to disengage from their screens, get back in touch with their human-ness and make authentic, meaningful connections with others in REAL LIFE! I would love to hear your thoughts about this:

Chris: I am familiar with that book. I think with our phones, Covid exasperated this, and have pulled us away from in-person socialization. Mahjong is a great way to put down our phones, connect with people in a non-threatening way, while learning something new and creating new neuropathways! I consider myself a connector and it makes me so happy when people in my classes and socials connect and exchange numbers to continue to play Mahjong outside of my events! I recently had two women who discovered they were both widows, one had a Mahjong set and they are playing regularly! This fills my cup! As adults it can be hard to find friendship, Mahjong gives an opportunity to do that. 

Stacey: Chris, am in awe of how succinctly you mirror my sentiments exactly! Now, let’s get into the “meat and potatoes” of teaching Mahjong. Please tell if us you have certain teaching methods and tools that you have found work best with newbies to the game? 

Chris: My Mahjong 101 lessons are 2.5 hours and have 6 parts to them. . I am a Mahj Life and Oh My Mahjong instructor so I use elements from both of their training modules in my lessons. I start sharing information verbally in the lesson for the audio learners. I try to get hands on tiles quickly and use suit modeling for kinesthetic learners. I have handouts for those who are visual learners. And most importantly, I recommend your Flipbook at all my lessons and always have them available for purchase! 

Stacey: Thanks for that plug! What do you find is the most rewarding aspect of playing Mah Jongg? And same question, but for teaching the game. And the flipside, what do you find is most challenging for you as a teacher of MJ?

Chris: The most rewarding aspect of playing is connecting with old friends and meeting new friends! I am a social person and I love playing and chatting around the table! And, I am competitive so I love trying new hands, concealed hands, and of course winning if I do so! 

When teaching, I love that moment when students “get it” and things click into place! Watching that transformation—from uncertainty to excitement—is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching. And, I love seeing students go “all in” on the game too via playing online, taking the next lesson, or buying tiles right away! I feel like there should be a warning label on Mahjong sets: WARNING: This game can be addicting! 

The most challenging part of being a Mahjong instructor is helping students manage the feeling of being overwhelmed. For beginners, there are a lot of moving parts—learning the tiles, understanding the Charleston, reading the NMJL card, recognizing patterns, and making strategic decisions and knowing when to pivot, all while keeping up with the pace of the game. It's easy for new players to think they'll never get it and get frustrated. And, usually the players who are the most skeptical that they can win often yell “Mahjong” first! 

Bams & Brews Guided Play: where strategy meets socializing

Stacey: Everything you mentioned is pretty much how I feel, too. It really feels as if we are “Mahj Sisters.” I am wondering how you first learned about my Flipbook. And, what do you think of the new, expanded third edition of my Flipbook? 

Chris: Your Flipbook was recommended to me from my lake neighbors who I learned the game from. It was literally one of the items I purchased within days of learning the game. And I love the new edition! 

Stacey: I am getting lots of positive feedback about the 3rd edition! Let’s move on to more questions about the game itself. Do you ever play for money? If so, how do you feel about playing that way?

Chris: Yes! I love playing for money.  It makes things extra saucy and makes you think more about breaking up your own hand to prevent throwing a tile for Mahjong to someone else! 

Stacey: The stakes are much higher when money is on the line, right? (Even though it’s just for quarters.) 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.)

Chris: I am familiar with Siamese MJ but not Royal Siamese, so now I need to check that out! 

From Charleston to strategy — Chris walks beginners through every step of the game

Stacey: Here’s is something I am curious about: Recently I was emailing with one of the teachers I interviewed here, and she was telling me about Michele Frizzell’s “BIG CARD,” Apparently Michele has developed a card with American and Asian hands on it. This teacher “hates” it . . . LOL. But I have to admit, I am curious about it. Have you ever heard of it?

Chris: I haven’t heard of that either! I have other alternative cards and I have to say the NMJL card is still my favorite, but I do enjoy the cards from Marvelous Mah Jongg. 

Stacey: Have you attended or run any MJ tournaments? If so, will you say more about those experiences?

Chris: I attended my first tournament in March this year and LOVED IT! I was nervous! I went into the tournament with no expectations other than not having a dead hand. Well….I ended up with a dead hand, but I did tie for 3rd place so that was exciting and unexpected! I am hosting one this fall in Fargo during deer hunting season! I am so excited. Stay tuned for the details! 

Stacey: This is where we differ a bit. I am not comfortable playing in tournaments because I have found the vibe to be too competitive. What advice do you have for experienced players who are thinking of becoming MJ teachers?

Chris: Define your parameters of who you want to teach, when you want to teach, how often you want to teach and stick to your boundaries! Make sure to charge market prices and have fun! Be prepared for success. Feel free to reach out to me with questions, I love sharing my journey.

Stacey: Yes, all good points. 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?

Chris: Mahjong creates community in a unique way. People from all ages and backgrounds can sit around the table, laugh over unexpected hands, commiserate over discarded Jokers, and celebrate each other's wins. If I could offer one piece of advice to new players, it would be this: don't be afraid to make mistakes. Every experienced player has discarded the wrong tile, missed a winning hand, or chosen the wrong strategy. Those moments aren't failures—they're how you become a better player. The goal isn't just to win; it's to enjoy the challenge, the connections, and the lifelong learning that Mahjong offers!

Stacey: I love your advice, and I hope the newbies (and seasoned players) who read this interview will take it to heart. 

This concludes the interview. Thank you so much for giving us glimpse into your life as a Mahj enthusiast, Chris. I wish you continued success in all your endeavors, and I am now considering a road trip from Seattle to your neck of the woods at some point. Neither my husband, nor I have been in that part of the country before. We’ve been to some parts of beautiful Utah & Montana, and it would be fun to travel further east sometime. So, I hope we will get a chance to meet in person someday!

Chris: I hope we do get to meet in person, too! The Mahjong community is incredible and experiences like this make it even more so. Thanks for creating the Flipbook resource. Cheers!