Although you hear it frequently today, mahjong is more than just a buzzword. This historic game is finding its place among all ages, many who become lifelong players. With its roots in 1800s China, mahjong today can be found around the world, including Bellevue. With more than 40 variations, there’s a version for everyone. And while the game itself provides much excitement, the attraction of mahjong goes far beyond its colorful tiles.
While mahjong in Tennessee is growing, we have Texas to thank, as it is often documented as the U.S. "birthplace" of the game's recent high-glamour national revival. Stacey White, founder of The Mahjong House in Houston and one of the entrepreneurs helping fuel the game’s modern resurgence, offers insight into why mahjong is experiencing such a powerful comeback, including in both Davidson and Williamson counties.
“Mahjong gives people permission to be fully present,” says White. “You can’t scroll your phone and play at the same time. Playing mahjong demands your attention, which is such a relief in a world that’s constantly pulling us in 10 directions. The real draw is connection. It’s a reason to sit down face-to-face with people on a regular basis, and that kind of consistency is rare now. It becomes less about the game and
more about who you’re becoming with the people across the table from you.”
And thanks to increased interest, mahjong is going beyond the average living room. “Mahjong is showing up in places it never used to: Hotels are hosting mahjong retreats and lessons, restaurants are hosting mahjong nights, and it’s becoming a real ‘third place’ the way coffee shops or fitness studios have been,” White says. “It’s not just a game anymore; it’s a lifestyle and a gathering point.”
Bellevue's council woman, Sheri Weiner, is a third generation mahjong player. "I taught my 10-year-old grandson how to play, and he's been playing for almost a year now," she says. "I learned when I was that age, my mom and grandmother taught me. I'll never forget watching my mother and her friends play."
Weiner says there a lot of neighborhood games. "You have two different categories of people, people that really love to get into the competitiveness of the tournament play that follow National Mahjong League rules," she says. "And then there are some folks who prefer to have their own house rules that we call table rules. So there are nuances as to how you start a game. That's just the culture of the game for these house games. In many cases, these groups of women and/or men become your circle of friends."
When looking at the game’s colorful tiles–ranging between 136 and 152 tiles per set–it can be quite confusing to figure out how to play and win. But instructor Liza Gaston, owner of Mahj Madness in Franklin, said there’s no need to feel overwhelmed. “Although there are many rules in mahjong, people of all ages can learn to play,” she said. “I've had students from eight years old to almost 100 years old. Do not get discouraged or give up. The principals and game play
will come together quickly once you learn the tiles and the rules and start to play.”
And once you start, you may find it challenging to stop. “Once people begin to play
mahjong, they easily understand why others are so passionate about the game,” Gaston said. “Mahjong has become popular because it brings old friends and new acquaintances together to engage in a game that combines luck, strategy and skill.”
Perhaps the best part of mahjong is anyone can play at any time. “You don’t need any experience to start, and it’s genuinely never too late to learn,” White says. “It’s a strategic, quick-moving game that keeps your brain sharp, and it’s just as likely to be played by a 28-year-old at a happy hour as it is by someone’s 80-year-old aunt. The community it builds spans every generation, and that’s the part that tends to surprise people the most.”
Where To Play Mahjong
Ready to learn how to play or want to find an ongoing game? Check out these local places:
Nashville Public Library - Bellevue Branch
Library.Nashville.gov/locations/bellevue
Bellevue Regional Community Center
Nashville.gov/departments/parks/community-centers-and-recreation/regional-recreation-centers/bellevue-community-center
Congregation Micah
CongregationMicah.org
The Mahjong Club
MahjongClubTN.com
"I would love to play more because it gets you out of your head and it's great." - Sheri Weiner