The Chinese game of mahjong, long a favorite of older Chinese and Jewish women, is developing a whole new — younger — fan base.
Members of Gen Z, the group born between 1997 and 2012, can’t get enough of mahjong, and they are playing with friends, in cafes, on teams, in tournaments or in weekly game sessions. Mahjong was named a trend for 2026 by Yelp, which saw searches for the game increase on its site by 4,467% from September 2024 to August 2025. The number of people eager to learn grew as well; searches for mahjong lessons rose 819%. (It’s not the easiest game to master.)
In the past, mostly women played, but research by the International Council of Shopping Centers shows that more men are taking up the game now.
What Is Mahjong?
Similar to the card game rummy, mahjong or mah-jongg, developed in China in the mid-1800s, came to the U.S. with immigrants and was wildly popular by the 1920s, spreading beyond the Asian community.
Many Jewish women took up mahjong as a social and charitable activity. In the 1930s, Jewish businesswoman Dorothy Meyerson helped develop a simplified American version of the game, which eventually led to the creation of the National Mah Jongg League, according to Smithsonian. The version used a new scoring card each year, which affluent Jewish women sold to raise money for charity.
A mahjong set includes 152 or 160 decorated tiles. The goal of each of the four players is to build a winning hand with 14 tiles, which includes four melds — sets of between two and four tiles, and a pair of two identical tiles. Play involves picking a tile and discarding a tile. Different versions have evolved, including Chinese, American and Hong Kong editions.
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Why Is Mahjong So Popular with Gen Z?
While there are multiple reasons the game appeals to Gen Z, the primary one is the desire to participate in a real-life activity, said Dr. Annelise Heinz, associate professor of history at the University of Oregon, and the author of “Mahjong: A Chinese Game and the Making of Modern American Culture.“
Gen Z spent much of their teens and early 20s in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic and became accustomed to socializing online. Now, they are looking for a change.
“This is a generation that’s been particularly shaped by the isolation that comes with digital life,” Heinz said. “They like having an activity that balances socializing and intellectual challenge.”
Aesthetics is also a draw.
“It is kind of the epitome of analog or sensory satisfaction in the way that the tiles feel, the way they sound and the way they look,” Heinz said. Today most mahjong tiles are made of sturdy plastic; in the past they were carved from ivory, bamboo or bone.
Young people are starting careers and moving frequently, so mahjong helps people connect in a new city.
“It’s a way to bring a regular group of four people together. Over time, those relationships really deepen and strengthen. And it’s a powerful vehicle for building community,” Heinz said.
Returning to Roots, Crossing Cultures
For young Asian Americans, mahjong is a way to discover or rediscover their heritage, Heinz said, embracing a pastime their mothers and grandmothers used for socializing.
“They are connecting, sometimes reconnecting, sometimes connecting for the first time with a game that is really part of Chinese and Chinese American history, but also the larger Asian diaspora.”
Heinz became interested in mahjong while living in China before starting her doctoral program. An aunt with Jewish friends growing up visited and asked Heinz why so many Jewish women played mahjong. When an internet search failed to produce a conclusive answer, Heinz began her research about the game’s role in American life and how it transcended cultures to become an American game, one that not only has spread across cultures, but ages as well.
Players’ mental health and cognitive abilities also get a boost from mahjong, according to studies.
“I think the game is pretty special in the way that it hits on a lot of different registers,” Heinz said. “It is connected to history. It’s connected to community. And it’s something that can really enrich people’s lives in lots of different contexts.”
How To Play Chinese Mahjong
How To Play American Mahjong
How To Get Started Playing Mahjong
Ready to pull up a chair? Follow these steps to find a card, a class or a club, no matter where the search for a game leads. Most clubs welcome complete beginners and offer a lesson before jumping into open play. Showing up curious is the only prerequisite.
- Get the current card. Most American mahjong games require a current-year card from the National Mah Jongg League Card Store. Pick one up before booking a class or tournament.
- Find a club near home. Search by state and city in the Bam Good Time Club Directory, complete with event calendars and RSVP tools. The Where to Play Mahjong in the USA guide covers clubs and meetups nationwide.
- Pick a setting that fits. Browse cafes, libraries and community centers in the The Mahjong Guild Places to Play Directory, which notes which venues supply tiles and cards.
- Try a different style. Curious about Japanese riichi mahjong? Find a local chapter through the American Riichi Association Club Portal.
Where To Play Mahjong in the Northeast
The Northeast’s mahjong scene is booming right alongside the rest of the country. From casino resort tournaments in Connecticut to candlelit lounges in Manhattan, there’s a table — and a community — waiting in every corner of the region. Here’s a starting point for finding a game close to home, organized by state.
Club schedules and locations change often, so it’s worth confirming details directly with the venue before heading over. And don’t be shy about asking whether tiles and cards are provided or if you should bring your own.
| State | Where to Play | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Mah Jongg Fever at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket hosts a multi-day competitive tournament every summer that draw players from across the region. | This event sells out fast, so reserve a spot well ahead of the date. |
| Massachusetts | Mass Riichi runs free, open practice sessions and tournaments across Boston, Central Mass and the North Shore for players of every level. | No reservation needed. Anyone can drop in and learn at a meet. |
| New Jersey | Let’s Play Mahjong runs beginner series and guided open-play nights in Fair Haven and along the Jersey Shore, and the JCC of Middlesex County hosts seasonal tournaments. | A current National Mah Jongg League card is typically needed for American-style games, including the beginner/open-play sessions listed here. Check with the event organizer before attending a tournament to confirm whether a card is provided or required. |
| New York | Chop Suey Club’s Mahjong Nights at the Ace Hotel bring open play, private tables and lessons to a lively lounge setting, while Green Tile Social Club hosts monthly games built for a younger crowd. | Hong Kong–style games are easiest to find in Chinatown and Flushing; American mahjong clusters on the Upper East Side and in the suburbs. |
| Rhode Island | The Gilded Birds host group lessons and free-play sessions at Track 15 in Providence and Union & Main in East Greenwich, complete with tiles and cards provided. | A fun, social entry point for total beginners. No need to own a set before the first visit. |
Do you play mahjong? Would you like to learn? Tell us in the comments.
Last updated on August 26, 2026 by AAA Staff
Ellen is a content producer for AAA Northeast, covering automotive, finance, public affairs and electric vehicle news. She is a former newspaper reporter with experience writing for print and online publications about everything from higher education to sustainability. She recently returned to her native Long Island after living in Connecticut for 20-plus years, and has never met a beach she didn’t like.
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I am 91. I started playing in my high school years and then did not play again until my 60s I still play twice a week with the “girls”. Growing up the sound of the clicking of the tiles and watching my mother play was part of my childhood.
Loved this article and look forward to seeing more from this this writer.
I do play but not often enough. Thus article inspired me to play more and this time learn strategies to enjoy the game more!
A group of friends took weekly lessons at our senior center during last winter and spring. We really enjoyed the game and started to also meet one night a week at a friend’s home to play and hone our skills. We have two tables going and an open invite for any friends to join in. I still play two days a week at the senior center as well as the night at my friend’s house. I am really loving Mah Jong and so glad we all decided to take it up. It’s fun to get together and the game is never the same. Always such a challenge!
I’m a 70 year old woman, who learned to play American Mah Jongg 20 years ago as the only non-Jewish woman in a group with Jewish moms.
We all learned at once from one of THEIR mothers. To be honest, I felt like a very slow learner (one member of the group picked it up fast and
didn’t have a lot of patience for those of us who needed more time to play). We played weekly games from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. It’s quite addictive
and very fun, AND I agree is good cognitively. During Covid, I taught both my husband and brother to play – and recently we taught my brother’s
girlfriend, who was a bit intimidated at learning it (like I was), but now loves it too. We play a weekly or bi-weekly game, and even our 33 year old son
and 23 y/o nephew have occasionally joined us. We do sometimes play with just 3 people, just leaving the 4th wall to draw tiles from. It works fine.
if your hand is dead but some tiles are already exposed with jokers can other players replace those tiles and take the joker?
I’m 65 mom used to play in a league, and I sat in with 5 crazy 70 year old screaming 2 bam..4 crack..flower.. and I learned its alot of fun..
I fell in love with American Mahjong 6 years ago. I now teach small group classes for beginners wanting to learn American Mahjong, in northern R.I.
You can find more information on Instagram @mahjongwithdee
Or email at mahjongwithdee@gmail.com
I’m 86 years old & am considering learning how to play. Mah Jongg was a favorite of my Mother (she should rest in peace). She even left me her tiles but when I moved they were stolen. At this point in my life I’m a slow learner. I live in Hartsdale NY & will be under radiation treatment. Is there such a thing as private lessons? That should stimulate my mind. Please respond to my email.
Just got it. You are describing Chinese Mah Jongg not American.
Your description of what is needed to win is inaccurate. There are hands with only 3 sets of tiles, which incidentally I have never heard called melds. You only put up tiles when calling one and do not meld others. Plus a set of tiles can be 1 to 6 and adding a pair of identical tiles makes no sense. I guess it doesn’t matter. Those who play will know how it goes and for those who don’t, it won’t matter. If they try to learn, they will get it straightened out.