05/04/26 🀄 Play Calmer, Play Smarter — Mah Jongg Tips

Author

The Mah Jongg Insider 🀄
May 04, 2026

🧨️ Happy Mah Jongg Monday!️

If you’ve ever wondered what winning players see that you’re missing, this is for you.

Inside the Mahj Insiders Club, you don’t just watch a game. You hear how experienced players and tournament winners think through their decisions in real time, and you get to compare it to what you would’ve done.

That’s the advantage. You start to spot patterns faster, catch decisions earlier, and feel more certain in your game.

Each week, Club members get a Behind the Tiles episode delivered to their inbox. It’s a full game of Mah Jongg, with the player talking through every move as it happens.

Mister Mahjong, Andrew Keeler, is now the host of Behind the Tiles.

As a bonus for Club Members, we’re holding a live Q&A with Mister Mahjong this Thursday at 6pm ET. If you join before Tuesday at midnight, you’ll be invited to attend. Come with your questions or just listen in.

Club Members also get to attend Unlimited Practice Sessions ($99 value), held live on Zoom twice a week. You can show up, play, and start applying what you’re seeing right away.

This month’s featured player is Ronni Rice, The Marvelous Mrs. Mahj, the inspiration behind the upcoming Hallmark movie All’s Fair in Love and Mahjong. Her decision-making is steady and especially strong during the Charleston.

Watch the interview with Ronni here 👇🏻

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

💡 Table Wisdom — The one tile you shouldn’t discard too early.

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

📚 Free Today — A new Mah Jongg book, free on Kindle.

🎁 Winning Picks — Smart finds for players and game nights.

🎥 Max’s Minute — 369 hands and White Dragon rules.

🌟 In the News — A new Hallmark Mah Jongg movie.

❓ Ask Auntie — Should you slow the game on purpose?

📸 Spotlight — Cinco de Mayo and Newbie Maj Mondays.

🎂 Birthdays — This week’s AMJA members.

🏁 Milestones — Progress inside TheWinningHand app.

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

… and more!

💡 Table Wisdom

Strategy & Decision Making: The One Tile You Should Never Discard Too Early
Flowers Matter More Than Usual This Year. With four hands requiring six Flowers, you could find yourself in trouble if you discard them too early. This is particularly true if you need to pivot to a hand requiring a pair of Flowers.

This said, there may be a few new thoughts around success with Flowers this year:

  • Avoid hands with a pair of Flowers unless you have two early in the game.

  • Hold at least two Flowers while your primary hand and a backup develop. This keeps your options open.

  • If you start with more than two Flowers, consider a Flower-based hand. This year, it might be easier to adapt your hand to use its Flowers than it is to get rid of them.

  • When you are ready to discard, be patient. Look for a chance to exchange a Flower for a Joker. You can also use extra Flowers as bait to draw a Joker from another player.

Beginner’s Takeaway: Hold Flowers early, but also respect the value of Dragons and Winds. Keep them until your direction is clear.

Advanced Moves: Stay flexible early, then shift to defense later. Discard Flowers carefully once your hand is set and exposure risk increases.

🖐🏻 A Hand to Play

Last Week’s 🖐🏻 Hand to Play Results:
4,608 Insiders Played, 74% chose right.
👉 See the correct answer & explanation here.

Your first Charleston pass sets your direction. Make it count. This is your first real decision, and it shapes everything that follows.

You are at the start of the Charleston, and you must pass three tiles to the right. Look at the deal below and decide carefully. 

Which three tiles don’t work with the others? Your goal is to pass tiles that limit your options as little as possible. So, which three tiles do you pass?

Pick your three tiles with purpose. Then VOTE and see how your choice compares with other players. 👏🧠

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

Which three tiles would you pass?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

️Today Only: Free on Kindle
The Many Tiles of Me by Cris Bonser

One of our favorite authors of Mah Jongg books, Cris Bonser, has a new laugh-out-loud collection for anyone who has ever said, “This is my last set,” and meant it… at least for a minute.

The Many Tiles of Me is a funny, familiar look at the way Mah Jongg has a habit of becoming more than a game.

First comes one set, then another, then the bags, racks, mats, accessories, and suddenly you’re creating a whole little world around the table.

🀄 Winning Picks: Smart Finds for Mah Jongg Players
Whether you’re heading to a game, building your setup, or just enjoying the time around the table, these picks are practical, giftable, and a little fun.

👜 Mah Jongg Travel Cosmetic Bag
A small, stylish way to carry makeup, cords, or Mahj essentials. The tassel detail makes it feel like a gift, even if it’s for you. Pack it up →

📓 “I Like Mahjong and Maybe Like 3 People” Gratitude Journal
A lighthearted journal with weekly prompts and quotes. A fun mix of reflection and humor for any Mah Jongg player. Write it down →

🀄 Best Priced American Mah Jongg Starter Set
A solid, full-size set with racks and a soft carrying bag. Great for new players or anyone ready for a fresh setup. Start playing →

🪑 Collapsible Tournament Stool
If you’ve been to a tournament lately, you’ve probably seen these. Perfect for holding your phone, drink, or snacks right next to your seat. Set it up →

🧠 10-Minute Toughness
Mah Jongg has luck, but there’s also mindset. This book offers simple daily exercises to sharpen focus and stay steady when the tiles don’t go your way. Train your mind →

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

This week’s top questions:
1️⃣ Can you explain line #5 under the 369 category?
2️⃣ Can you use a White Dragon as a zero in a Consecutive Run hand?

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

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

🌟 A new Hallmark movie, All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong, is inspired by Ronni Rice, The Marvelous Mrs. Mahj (who also happens to be our Behind the Tiles guest this month). The story centers on American Mah Jongg, the style of play many U.S. players grew up with at home and around the table.

You’ll also spot the Miss Heirloom Mahjong tiles from Miss Mahjong, created in collaboration with Hallmark, a set designed to celebrate connection, storytelling, and time around the table. Order your set here →

⬅️ Last Week’s Question
Auntie, One player mentors newbies during the entire game, distracting everyone else. How can we ask her to stop without upsetting her?
- Carlin

🥠 Auntie’s Advice 🥠

🗨 My friend, it helps to start by recognizing the intention. She likely wants the new players to feel supported. But constant coaching during the hand changes the game for everyone else and can make it hard to concentrate.

You might say, “I know you’re trying to help, and that’s kind. It just gets a little distracting during play. Maybe we can save the coaching for after the hand.”

You’re not discouraging her generosity. You’re simply giving it a better place.

📢 Readers’ Responses 📢

🗨 A newbie is just that: someone learning to play. Of course someone, or everyone, can mentor a new player. If you want others to fall in love with the game, don’t be a curmudgeon.
- Cindy

🗨 Because we want to encourage newbies, a couple of us agree in advance to
play at that teaching table. Yes, it's slow, but it works for us!
- Joyce H.

🗨 I would applaud the player that is trying to help others learn the game.
However, as a friend, I would probably pull her aside during a break
session and explain that this can be very distracting to the other
players. Maybe she could mentor the other player at a different time and
not during the game.
- Donna B.

Whose response do you like best?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

➡️ This Week’s Question
My group plays very fast and I cannot keep up. Would it be ethical for me to slow down my passes and discards on purpose?
- Betty G.

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

📩 Send it to Auntie: [email protected]

📸 Get In the Spotlight

Greetings from Mariemont, Ohio….

Attached you will find a picture of our Cinco De Mayo Mahjong Monday!!
We celebrated the day playing Mahjong in our Mexican gear. We have been enjoying weekly games of Mahjong since April 2024.

Pictured left to right include: Kim Beach, Marybeth York, Lisa Jones and Laura Dolle who has taught of how to play Mahjong.
- Lisa J.

Hello from the desert! We are a group of nine women, and counting, from the Coachella Valley in California. We meet every Monday, and our group is called “Newbie Maj Monday.”

Our group was created with a special mission: to introduce and teach this incredible game to women who want to learn while socializing and connecting. Laughs are a must. While new players could certainly take lessons elsewhere, those of us who have played for a number of years wanted to give back to our friends. It has been a wonderful experience for everyone.

We are building strong bonds, learning something new, and increasing our longevity. Our tables are mixed with seasoned players and newbies just starting their Mah Jongg journey. It is fun to see the growth. Our newbies are regularly yelling “Mah Jongg!” We are loving the new card and having lots of fun learning all about it.

We look forward to reading the newsletter every Monday and recapping topics at each Newbie Maj Monday session. This is a photo of our group.

Warmly,
Janice Whiffen, Margaret Herman, and our Newbie Maj Monday crew.

📸 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

The American Mah Jongg Association would like to wish these members a very Happy Birthday!

May 4
Debi C. (MA), Donna P. (NM), Lori K. (MN), Shelli S. (CO)

May 5
Cathy F. (DE), Dawn M. (RI), Donna H. (NY), Gloria B. (NY), Jean C. (FL)  

May 6
Marilynn G. (SC), Shelley L G. (GA), Sherry M. (CA)  

May 7
Chari M. (NJ), Jeannette S. (CA), Kara H. (AZ), Sarah P. (CO)  

May 8
Bonnie E. (FL), Carol D. (CA), Jane P. (VA), Polly B. (MA)  

May 9
Barbara H. (TX), Diane P. (TN), Laurie G. (MN), Linda B. (IL), MelindaJo M. (NY), Wendy C. (CO)  

May 10
Jeanne D. (RI), Kathy I. (NY), Sue B. (CT and FL)

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

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

🏁 Milestones

These milestones come from players using The Winning Hand, the practice app included with membership in the American Mah Jongg Association. [Join Here]

Members use it in different ways. To warm up. To stay sharp. Or simply to spend more time with the game you already love.

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 500 games played
Janette Goldstein
Kathleen Gresh

🔥🔥🔥🔥 400 games played
Leo Immonen

🔥🔥🔥 300 games played
Michele Murphy

🔥🔥 200 games played
Heidi Spitzer
Deborah Wilson
Michele Murphy

🔥 100 games played
Judith Webb
Deborah Goldman
KT Mahjong Jakel
Carol Esslinger
Kate Durst
Stephanie Tobin
Dana Levitsky
Josie Russo
Janet Gulden

👏 The more you play, the better your game gets.

🎥 New to TheWinningHand app?
Short videos walk through each game mode:
➕ Hand Builder | ☑️ Finish the Hand | 🔃 Scrambled Hand | 💃🏻 Charleston

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