Could Mahjong Be the Stress Relief You Need?

Perhaps Mahjong was your grandmother’s favorite tile game, or you’ve been intrigued since you saw the movie The Joy Luck Club. Maybe you envision women in 50s-era attire gathering around small tables to arrange tiles while sipping tea and indulging in a little gossip. But today, women across all generations are enjoying Mahjong clubs as a weekly social outlet and sometimes, a much-needed way to decompress from daily stressors. Learn more about the game’s rise in popularity, and check out a few fun sets to get you started!

Where did Mahjong get its start?

In the world of games, Mahjong is a relative newcomer. Unlike Checkers, which dates back to 3,000 BCE, or Chess, which originated in 600 BCE, Mahjong was born in mid-19th century China, primarily a game of gambling played by men. But by the 1920s, it was the preeminent tile game played around the world. It quickly became the favored game of young Jewish American women in the 1950s, particularly those who summered in the Catskills (yes, you saw it on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel). A generation later, it maintains its spot as a favorite amongst female friend groups.

For a few decades, Mahjong was a retirement home favorite, and now, it’s trending once again. This time, it’s making a splash with millennial and Gen Z women — particularly those across the South looking for an organized, recurring (and competitive) way to gather socially.

Jill Graham is one of those women. She started playing with friends, which snowballed into teaching others. Now, she’s the face behind Queen City Mahjong. “It is basically all word of mouth, and I am swamped with inquiries and booked two months out,” says Graham, who recommends three two-hour lessons to kick things off.

Among her students is Alexandra Whitesell, who was first intrigued by Mahjong thanks to her sharp-as-a-tack nonagenarian grandmother, who’s been playing since the 30s. But her official introduction was a group lesson at the Junior League of Charlotte with Jill, which led to a lesson at Alexandra’s house with a dozen other eager players.

What are the benefits of playing Mahjong?

These days, Alexandra gathers with friends once a month to play Mahjong, and it’s a welcome respite from her busy schedule. “It’s a little bit of luck and memorization,” she explains. “It’s definitely not a mindless game; it’s a very mindful one … I’ve had a lot going on in my life and found that this was an engaging way for me to detach from my workday and other life stressors.”

To that end, Alexandra recommends going the easy route when hosting so the focus is on the game and connecting socially. “Provide light snacks and drinks but nothing crazy,” she says. “It’s hard to juggle anything larger than a small cake plate while you are playing due to space, and this is coming from an Italian who usually over-cooks!”

Whether she hosts 16 women or six on a given game night, they figure out how to make it work — and always look at it as a chance to come together and learn.

So, are you ready to try your hand at Mahjong?

Here are a few fun sets to get you started, from traditional to modern, and in a wide variety of price points (there’s even an ultra-luxe pick at the bottom of the list). If you’re a new player, both Jill and Alexandra suggest getting comfortable with the game before diving in and investing in a board you love. After all, this could be a game you play for life — just ask Alexandra’s grandmother.

Cheers to trying something new!

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