🧨️ Happy Mah Jongg Monday!️
Most of us learned Mah Jongg from a friend, a neighbor, or someone in the family. That’s part of what makes this game so special, it’s passed along.
And then, at a certain point, you want a little more: A clearer understanding of the card or more confidence in their decisions. Maybe an additional group to play with.
That’s where instructors come in.
If you’re looking to sharpen your game or find players near you, our Directory is a great place to start. With nearly 500 teachers to choose from, chances are there’s someone nearby who’s a perfect fit.
Here’s a quick preview of today’s issue. Scroll down to read each section in full.
🧠 Behind the Tiles — Learn how strong players make tough decisions. Join the Club.
💡 Table Wisdom — Safe Charleston passes that keep options open.
🖐🏻 A Hand to Play — Can you spot the scrambled winning hand?
☀️ Winning Picks — Easy summer skincare essentials.
🎥 Max’s Minute — When not to exchange a Joker.
🌟 In the News — One Mah Jongg post grew into 240 players.
❓ Ask Auntie — Should you slow the game down on purpose?
🎓 Recommended Reading — A newsletter about thriving in midlife.
📸 Spotlight — Fast-growing Mah Jongg groups.
🎂 Birthdays — This week’s AMJA members.
🏁 Milestones — See why 10,000+ players use TheWinningHand app. Join the Association.
🖐🏻 Free Practice Sessions — See if we called your name.
… and more!
🧠 Stuck Between Two Hands?
You know that moment when your hand could go in two different directions, and you’re just not sure what to keep, what to pass, or when to switch?
That’s exactly the kind of decision we talk through inside Behind the Tiles, our weekly series for Mahj Insiders Club members.
Each week, you get to watch an experienced player play a full game while explaining what they’re noticing in real time.
You’ll hear why they keep certain tiles, why they let others go, when they pivot, and when they decide to stay the course.
This month, Ronni Rice, The Marvelous Mrs. Mahj and the inspiration behind Hallmark’s All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong, is our featured guest.
And Mister Mahjong, Andrew Keeler, joins us as the new host, bringing his sharp Mah Jongg eye, tournament experience, and fun table-side commentary to each episode.
And if you join before Wednesday, you won’t be behind. You’ll still get access to last week’s episode, plus this week’s new episode when it’s released on Wednesday.
Members are already saying:
“These episodes are gold!”
“Just what I’ve been looking for and now I’ve found it.”
If you didn’t get the Mother’s Day gift you wanted yesterday, this might be the Mah Jongg gift you actually use.
💡 Table Wisdom
Safe Passes That Keep Your Options Open
The best early Charleston passes remove tiles that clearly do not belong. Your goal is simple: Keep your flexibility while a hand begins to reveal itself.
When you first rack your tiles, resist the urge to force a hand. Many players immediately count odds and evens. That approach works sometimes, but it often eliminates most of the card.
Start with a broader scan instead. Look for groups that naturally point toward a Section. Winds, Dragons, even numbers, or repeated numbers often signal early direction. Try some of these tactics:
When no Section stands out, focus on tiles that don’t fit in with the others. For example, if you only have one tile in a suit, that tile is a strong pass candidate.
Next, check the number range. If your suit holds mostly high tiles, pass a low single tile. A 3 Dot rarely works with Dot 8 and Dot 9 combinations.
Random Winds are another possible early pass. Just avoid doing this every game.
Each Charleston pass should slightly clarify your rack. Remove tiles that create confusion and keep tiles that work together.
Some tiles are simply too valuable to pass immediately. Hold Flowers whenever possible. They offer Joker exchange opportunities and appear in many hands. Dragons also deserve early protection. You can pass them later if your hand direction becomes clear, but hold any unneeded Soaps to discard right after the Charleston.
As the Charleston continues, begin narrowing your rack toward likely hands. Look for tiles that dominate the rack, with four to six tiles: Winds, Dragons, Even Numbers, Odd Numbers, Like Numbers, Runs, or 369. Start heading in the direction these tiles indicate. If you’ve seen some of these move around the table, include that observation in your decision, as they may come back.
Key Takeaway: You don’t have to decide anything on your first few passes. Simply focus on finding three tiles that don’t work with others on your rack until a Section becomes prominent.
🖐🏻 A Hand to Play
Last Week’s 🖐🏻 Hand to Play Results:
5,374 Insiders Played, 54% chose right.
👉 See the correct answer & explanation here.
Can you spot a Mah Jongg hand when the tiles are scrambled, just like at the start of a deal?
This skill is especially useful during the Charleston because it helps you move beyond only seeing a Consecutive Run and start recognizing other options. It also sharpens your ability to read another player’s hand and deepens your familiarity with the hands on the NMJL 2026 Card.
Here is your challenge: Take out your card, look at the scrambled tiles shown below. Remember, this is a complete winning hand (all 14 tiles).
Think you see it? Choose your answer and VOTE to find out how your choice compares with other players.
🀄 Tile Spotlight: Today’s Hand to Play uses Mah Jongg Maven’s tiles.
What is the correct hand for this “scrambled hand?”
☀️ Winning Picks: Summer Skincare Essentials
Warmer weather calls for lighter, simpler routines. These easy swaps help you stay protected, hydrated, and comfortable without overthinking it.
☀️ Lightweight SPF
No heavy feel, no residue — just reliable daily protection that blends in quickly. Great for golf, pool days, or running around town. Protect your skin →
😎 Tinted Moisturizer
A little coverage, a lot of hydration. Perfect when you want to even things out without a full face of makeup. Keep it simple →
🛁 Exfoliating Body Scrub
Smooths and refreshes without being harsh. An easy way to bring skin back to life after long days in the sun. Refresh your skin →
💋 Lip Balm with SPF
An easy step people forget. Keeps lips soft and protected when you’re outside. Don’t skip this →
🧴 Scalp Sunscreen Spray
Lightweight and quick to apply — especially helpful along your part line. No greasy buildup, just coverage where you need it. Cover your scalp →
(**As an Amazon Associate, The Mah Jongg Insider earns from qualifying purchases.)
This week’s top questions:
1️⃣ Does everyone have to play using the same Mah Jongg card or can we use different years?
2️⃣ When would I consider not exchanging a tile for someone else’s Joker?
Watch Max’s 1-minute video answer.
🎥 [Click here to watch]
Have a question for Max?
🎤 Leave him a [voicemail]
🌟 One Social Media Post Turned Into 240 Players
A retiree in Minnesota went from learning Mah Jongg during the pandemic to building a thriving local community with more than 240 players. Along the way, Nancy Poferl has taught over 150 people how to play and helped raise thousands for Alzheimer’s research through an annual tournament. It’s a wonderful reminder of how one Mah Jongg table can turn into real friendship and connection. Read the full story HERE.
⬅️ Last Week’s Question
Auntie, 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.
🥠 Auntie’s Advice 🥠
🗨 My friend, if the table plays fast, it’s likely they prefer a fast game. Slowing down on purpose won’t change that.
So the better question is, what are you trying to accomplish? Do you want to learn to play faster, or do you want a group that plays at a slower pace?
Once you’re clear on that, your next step is simple. Practice to speed up, or find a table that matches your rhythm. Clarity keeps the harmony.
📢 Readers’ Responses 📢
🗨 A solution here would be for you to take your time slowly when you are playing on an app or online, using those sessions to learn strategy and the card. Then when you are playing with more advanced players, use that time to play faster, even if you are uncomfortable not having enough time to completely analyze a move. Play to gain comfort in playing fast, rather than playing to win. And stick with the consecutive number category when playing a live game, which a lot of us find easier.
- Deb D.
🗨 It is perfectly fine for you to go at your own pace. You’ll get faster with more experience. Those other players didn’t start out lightning fast. They may even appreciate the extra moment to study their hand a bit closer.
- Cynthia A.
🗨 Absolutely slow play with your passes and discards. Some players use ‘fast play’ as a tactical advantage.
- Denise S.
Whose response do you like best?
➡️ This Week’s Question
Some players keep their phones on the table and look at every ding, disrupting concentration. How should this be handled?
- Addie
🤗 Want to share your advice?
🤔 Have a Mah Jongg manners or table moment dilemma?
📩 Send it to Auntie: [email protected]
️🎓 Recommended Reading
Happy on Purpose is a bestselling newsletter about happiness, habits, and how to thrive in midlife—whenever you define it!
15,000 readers subscribe for practical, joyful (and gentle!) ideas for making the most of everyday life. No politics. No scary headlines.
Join readers like Laura M., who says, “I am grateful for your newsletter. It truly reminds me to stop and breathe and embrace the feeling of joy and happiness amidst the chaotic times we are living in.”
📸 Get In the Spotlight
Our Wednesday afternoon Mah Jongg group in Cleveland, Mississippi has grown to 27 players. We started right after COVID and play at the Delta State University Archives, home to a Chinese museum.
- Barbara Levingston
On May 4, we celebrated our Mah Jongg friend, Alice, for her 92nd birthday.
Back row: Martha, Doris, Donna, Lana, Jessica, Maryanne, Debbie, Madeline and Sue
On couch: Marlene, Cindy, RoseMarie, Phyllis, Alice, Sharon, Janice, and Sybil
Floor: Karen
We are newly formed group who loves your newsletter! When Dana, our founder, was recovering from surgery in mid-June of this year she thought, “Well, I can’t hike or bike this summer, but I can play Mah Jongg”. She met one player at the library and then another. Through word of mouth, along with her willingness to teach newbies for free and to host free open play events, the group she formed just weeks before, Vail Mah Jongg, now has 100 members! The group was recently recognized as “most spirited” at the Vail Social Potluck and plans to continue the fun for many years to come.
📸 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 11
Bonnie L. (KS), Brooke S. (MS)
May 12
Cheryl K. (TX), Deborah J. (AR), Penny C. (GA), Susie D. (NY)
May 13
Andrea F. (TX), Cathy H. (TX), Mary H. (FL), Nadia V. (FL), Part Y. (FL), Patti B. (CA), Stephanie H. (FL)
May 14
Dana W. (TX), Jan H. (OK), Judy F. (MO), Linda L. (NY), Theleda F. (OK)
May 15
Arlene K. (FL), Doreen I. (ID), Sandy P. (NC)
May 16
Maureen K. (ME) ,Valerie E. (TX)
May 17
Becky H. (AZ), Meredith V. (NC), Sarah W. (MS)
If your name is Doug , 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]
10,000 + members use it in different ways. To warm up. To stay sharp. Or simply to spend more time with the game you already love.
🔥🔥🔥 300 games played
Linda Striano
Sandra Johnson
Sarah Stanney
🔥🔥 200 games played
Bonnie Bondy
Nancy Mendell
🔥 100 games played
Joyce Deroos
Terri Kulaga
Peggi Moore
Sugie Poteet
Debra Visnov
Angela Maragos
Sandra Harris
Ronni Craig
Holly Murray
Mindy Bradley
Donna Fisher
👏 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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