Mahjong for Beginners

Yes, you can easily learn Mahjong!!!  Mini Mahjer was created to teach any beginner how to play American Mahjong!  With our simplified Mini Mahjer Method, everyone can learn to play Mahjong quickly and stress-free!  Trust us, as two Mahjong instructors in the market for years, we know all the tricks to make learning easy for YOU and any new player in your life!

What do you need to know before getting started?  Let's go through a few FAQs that new players usually ask.

How long does it take to learn?

One sitting.  You will know how to play after one lesson or one sitting.  Will you perfect your play over time?  Absolutely.  However, contrary to popular belief, it does not take days, weeks or months to learn this game.  

Why is Mahjong hard to learn?

American Mahjong is a game of strategy.  It is addicting and so fun to play because you can improve your skills and continuously get better at the game!  In fact, every year, the National Mahjong League card changes making sure your brain NEVER gets bored with the game.  I will be the first person to tell you that, YES, there are a LOT of rules to the game.  Don't let that intimidate you!  Follow the Mini Mahjer Method and you will be playing day one.

How long does a typical game of American Mahjong take?

Give or take....about 20 minutes.  No need to invest an entire day for one game.  In an hour of playing, on average, you will get in at least three games of Mahjong!  Your very first game is going to take longer than this.  However, by that second game, you should find yourself cruising along at the average pace.

How many people can play at one time?

When playing Mini Mahjer, you can play with two, three or four players!  Traditionally, American Mahjong is a game played with four players.

Why are Mahjong sets so expensive?

Mahjong tiles and sets can be expensive to purchase.  This is one reason Mini Mahjer was created.  We wanted to create a way for Mahjong to be accessible to everyone regardless of cost, age or commitment level!  With the purchase of Mini Mahjer, you receive (in one magnetic box) your full American Mahjong set of tiles, four Mahjong racks, a Mahjong mat, a full instructional booklet on how to play and four Mini Mahjer Cards.  There are several BEAUTIFUL Mahjong sets available.  We will make sure to post our favorites soon, but for any beginner, we recommend starting here!

How does the Mini Mahjer Method make it easy?

The Mini Mahjer Card is the first of its kind, designed to introduce beginners aged 6 and up to the exciting world of Mahjong. The Mini Mahjer Card makes the game accessible to new players by offering fewer options and simplified combinations. 

With three levels of play — Beginner (8 tile long combinations), Intermediate (10 tile long combinations) and Advanced (12 tile long combinations) — The Mini Mahjer Card grows with you!  Our goal is that you graduate from all three levels on the Mini Mahjer Card and graduate to the National Mahjong League card!

What if my friends already know how to play?  Who do I play with to get started?

Our favorite part?! Seasoned players can play simultaneously using a NMJL Card!  That's right!  As a beginner, you can play on the Mini Mahjer Card while your friends/family who know how to play can use their National Mahjong League card.  Think of it in the same way you would think of a golf handicap!  For example, when I play with my children (ages 13, 11 and 9), I play using my National Mahjong League card while each of my three children play different levels of the Mini Mahjer Card (oldest plays Advanced, middle plays Intermediate and youngest plays Beginner)!  Family game night is back!

Please don't feel intimidated to learn this amazing game!  It is so much more than a game.  It is a lifestyle, a tradition, a community, and a hobby that is amazing for your social and mental health!  Don't be afraid to learn!  We are here to make it easy for you!