02/09/26 🀄 Master the Little Details in Mah Jongg

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The Mah Jongg Insider 🀄
February 09, 2026

🧨️ Happy Mah Jongg Monday!️

We’re so proud that over 150,000 Mah Jongg players have joined the Insider through our free resources, giveaways, and good old-fashioned word-of-mouth.

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Here’s a quick preview of today’s issue. Scroll down to read each section in full.

💡 Table Wisdom — When (and when not) to stop the Charleston.

🖐🏻 A Hand to Play — Which three tiles should you pass first?

💝 Winning Picks — Easy Valentine and Galentine extras.

🎥 Max’s Minute — Single-tile Mah Jongg and descending runs.

📰 In the News — Celebrating friends featured in Tiles That Unite.

❓ Ask Auntie — Finding the right balance between play and chatter.

📸 Spotlight — Teaching wins and special Mah Jongg moments.

🎂 Birthdays — This week’s AMJA members.

🖐🏻 Free Practice Sessions — See if we called your name.

… and more!

⬇️ If you play American Mah Jongg
this is your Association ⬇️

💡 Table Wisdom

Should I or Shouldn’t I? Stop the Charleston, that is!

According to the rules, you can stop the Charleston after the first round (right, across, left). To use this option effectively, it’s important to understand when and how to do so.

You must announce your intention to stop the Charleston before anyone picks up their second left. While you’re pulling tiles for your first left, if you think you might stop, ask everyone to hold their second left. Once the first left is complete, let the table know whether you’re continuing or ending the Charleston. You may still do the Courtesy Pass before moving into gameplay (the call-and-discard portion of the game).

It’s not always in your best interest to stop the Charleston. Review your hand carefully before deciding.

  • If you’re evenly split between two hands, make the decision now. Choosing one gives you three more passes to strengthen that hand and increases your chances of winning.

  • If you’re very close to Mah Jongg or holding tiles that let you pivot, stopping the Charleston is usually the better move.

Beginner Takeaway:
Beginners often feel uncertain about which hand to choose and end up split between two options. If you’re between two hands, say, six or seven tiles toward each, you may be tempted to stop the Charleston. But even if you have multiple Jokers, doing so limits your chances. Instead, look for gaps (missing tiles needed for the hand) and incomplete pairs. Weigh these as well as the number of tiles towards each hand to choose the one that’s most likely to win. 

Advanced Moves:
You don’t need to explain why you’re stopping; simply smile and announce your decision. If the player across from you stops the Charleston, it’s wise to decline their Courtesy Pass. If they’re close to Mah Jongg, you don’t want to help them get there.

🖐🏻 A Hand to Play

 Which Tiles Should You Pass? 

The real challenge of the Charleston is to build a direction while staying flexible enough to change hands as the game unfolds.

Here’s your test: look at the tiles below and decide which three don’t fit as well as the others. These are the ones you would pass first during the Charleston.

Remember, sometimes you need to let go of a possible hand to stay open to better options. Choose carefully, then VOTE to see how your picks compare with other players!

🀄 Tile Spotlight: Today’s Hand to Play uses Mah Jongg Maven’s tiles.

Which three tiles should you pass?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Last Week’s 🖐🏻 Hand to Play Results:
5,833 Insiders Played, 77% chose right. Did you?  » CLICK HERE «

💝 Winning Picks: Little Valentine & Galentine Extras
Not big gestures — just thoughtful, fun finds that work for friends, partners, or yourself. Easy gifts, easy wins, and perfect for February.

🎋 Lucky Bamboo Plant
A simple symbol of good fortune and growth: thoughtful, low-maintenance, and easy to give. Grow good luck →

🀄 Mah Jongg Tumbler
A practical favorite that still feels personal. Great for game days, errands, or gifting a Mahj friend. Sip in style →

💌 Scratch-Off Date Night Cards
A playful way to skip the planning and do something different together. Make it a date →

🥩 Jerky
A practical, crowd-pleasing snack that makes an easy Valentine gift for men — or something fun to share with your Mahj group. Snack smarter →

👜 Mah Jongg Cosmetic Bags (Set)
A fun, practical gift for your Mah Jongg friends — perfect for makeup, keeping your winnings safe, or game-day essentials. Easy to split up and share with the whole group. Gift the group →

(**As an Amazon Associate, The Mah Jongg Insider earns from qualifying purchases.)

This week’s top questions:
1️⃣ Can you call for Mah Jongg on a single tile such as in NEWS or 2025?
2️⃣ Can you play a Consecutive Run hand but go in descending order instead of ascending order?

Watch Max’s 1-minute video answer.
🎥 [Click here to watch]

Have a question for Max?
🎤 Leave him a [voicemail]

🌟 Mah Jongg in the spotlight
A big congratulations to so many of our Mah Jongg friends who are featured in the newly released book Tiles That Unite.

This beautifully photographed portrait book shares stories from players in all 50 states, across American, Chinese, Riichi, and other styles, showing how Mah Jongg creates community, continuity, and connection in everyday life.

It’s a meaningful reminder that this game is not just about tiles, it’s about the people at the table and the bonds formed along the way.

⬅️ Last Week’s Question
Auntie, How do you stop players from chit-chatting while the game is in play?
-Anne V.

🥠 Auntie’s Advice 🥠

🗨 My friend, chatter becomes a problem only when the table has not agreed on what kind of game you want to have. Some come to focus, others come to visit, and the mismatch creates the strain.

A gentle conversation is the simplest fix. Ask your table, “Do we want things quieter during play, or is chatting part of how we enjoy this?” When everyone is heard, the group finds a pace that works for all of you.

📢 Readers’ Responses 📢

🗨 We allow some time before we play to catch up. We always discuss
highlights from the Monday Mahjong Newsletter. We all love it. Once we
start playing, one of us usually says, okay, we need to think now. That
usually gets us quiet, and playing the game we love.
-Mary S.

🗨 I usually just wait it out. It gives me time to think about my hand.
-Janie D.

🗨 Our weekly group has a few particularly chatty members.
I noticed that I could ask one woman a question before her turn, and she
would get so engrossed in answering me that she often misplayed her tiles.
Finally, I mentioned this fact to her. She was much more quiet the next
week.

You see, I didn't have to call her on her chatting, just said that I found
I could use it to my advantage. Her sense of competition overrode her
desire to chat.
-Susan R.

Whose response do you like best?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

➡️ This Week’s Question
One player tries to use a joker in a pair every week even after being reminded. Any suggestions?
-Debbie M.

🤗 Want to share your advice?
🤔 Have a Mah Jongg manners or table moment dilemma?

📩 Send it to Auntie: [email protected]

📸 Get In the Spotlight

I recently taught 20+ women how to play this great game. On our last night (fourth session), we had a theme party and they went all out with food, cocktails and costumes! I’m in front in the black dress and our hostess is holding the 2025 card. Cheers.
-Jeannie B

SPMJ Flowers celebrate American Mah Jongg Day.
-Jan A.

📸 Share your Mah Jongg moments!
Send us a photo and a quick note — big wins, themed nights, or fun group shots — for a chance to be featured.

📩 Email: [email protected]

🎂 This Week’s Birthdays

Happy Birthday to these wonderful members of the American Mah Jongg Association!

Feb 9
Arlyn O. (CA), Samantha W. (FL)

Feb 10
Eileen M. (NE), Susan V. (AZ)

Feb 11
Darby B. (NC), Julie T. (IL)

Feb 12
Carol W. (NC), Jane S. (MS), Kibbe H. (GA) 

Feb 14
Glynda R. (TX), Liz W. (MD), Rita R. (WI) 

Feb 15
Jane D. (NY) 11th: Darby B. (NC), Kathy B. (OH)

If your name is Shiela , enjoy a FREE Practice Session 🖐🏻 on us!*

*Just reply to this email by this Friday at midnight—your email name must match!

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