Thinking of hosting a mahjong lesson for you and your friends? Great idea! Mahjong is a perfect way to bond, challenge your brain, and share some laughs along the way. Whether you're gathering the gang for a casual brunch game or a cozy weekend hangout, here’s a guide to making your first mahjong lesson a memorable (and smooth!) experience.

Want to skip ahead? Here are the steps we’ll discuss:

Step 1: Find a Fun Teacher
Step 2: Gather Your Friends
Step 3: Pencil It In
Step 4: Prepare Your Space
Step 5: Plan Food & Drinks
Step 6: Keep Up the Momentum

Step 1: Find a Fun Teacher

Mahjong is a game full of quirks, strategies, and stories—finding the right teacher makes all the difference! A great instructor brings energy, humor, and a love for the game to the table, making your learning experience both fun and relaxed.

If you're looking for an engaging, skilled teacher, The Mahjong Society is here to help. Our instructors love working with beginners and know how to balance a friendly, lighthearted atmosphere with the essential skills and strategies of the game. We’re dedicated to making your lesson both entertaining and informative, giving you and your friends a great start to your mahjong journey!

Step 2: Gather Your Friends

For a mahjong lesson, it’s all about balancing the right number of players so everyone can get involved without feeling crowded. Four people is the magic number for a full mahjong table, but it’s helpful to have a couple of extra friends as alternates, especially if your group likes to switch things up.

If you’re inviting a larger group, aim for multiples of two—like 6, 8, 10, or 12—since this gives everyone a chance to play at a steady pace. At The Mahjong Society, we prefer to teach beginners in pairs, so groups of eight work especially well. But don’t worry if you don’t have a perfectly even number; our instructors can adjust the setup to fit most group sizes, making sure no one feels left out.

Pro tip: Give your friends a little preview of what’s to come. Explain that they’re in for a unique, social game that’s like a more strategic version of rummy—a fun brain workout that’s easier to pick up with each hand played.

Step 3: Pencil It In

Scheduling a mahjong lesson can be just as fun as planning a brunch or happy hour. Our favorites are relaxed weekend afternoons or casual evening sessions. Aim for a time that’s not right around a meal unless you’re planning a bite beforehand, as mahjong lessons need a bit of focus—and no one wants to learn on an empty stomach!

Hosting a chatty crowd? Invite everyone to arrive 30-60 minutes before the lesson to catch up and get settled. Your instructor will arrive about 15 minutes early to set up so that they can start on time. Once the lesson begins, you’ll want everyone’s full attention—trust us, mahjong’s many details are easier to pick up when people are tuned in!

Pro Tip: Your instructors will be forever grateful if you give your friends a heads’ up ahead of time: while side conversations can be fun, keep in mind that learning mahjong can be info-heavy at first. Try to keep chats to a minimum so everyone can follow along!

Step 4: Prepare Your Space

One of the great things about a private lesson is that we’ll come to you—whether that’s at your home, your club, an apartment’s amenity space, or somewhere else. The most important part of choosing a location is making sure there’s enough space.

To make the most of the lesson, let’s talk table setup. Here’s what works best:

Table Shape: A square or round table is ideal, but a rectangular or oval table can work, as long as it’s wide enough. Look for a table that’s at least 32x32 inches to give everyone space.
Seats: For a beginner lesson, aim for two seats per rack (4 racks at a table)—perfect for easy learning and hand-on-hands practice.
Equipment: If you’re booking through The Mahjong Society, we bring everything you need. No need to scramble for tiles or racks—we’ve got you covered!

Not sure you have the right space? Send us a message, we’ve got options for you!

Step 5: Plan Food & Drinks

Mahjong is a social and interactive game, but because it requires focus, keep snacks and drinks simple. A light mocktail or iced coffee pairs wonderfully with a mid-morning game, and finger foods (think small snacks) are ideal to keep players’ hands clean and ready. Avoid heavy cocktails if you’re serious about learning, as mahjong’s strategies and tile combinations need your attention.

Need inspiration? Check out one of our favorite mahjong-friendly snacks and our favorite hosting accessories!

Step 6: Keep Up the Momentum

After your first lesson, don’t let the tiles gather dust! You’ll hear a lot of information during that initial session, and while it may feel overwhelming at first, trust us—getting back to the table for a second lesson or game makes all the difference. The next time you play, you’ll have a chance to revisit everything you’ve learned, reinforcing the basics and allowing it all to sink in.

Mahjong 102

If your group is ready to level up, consider booking a Mahjong 102 lesson with us. Our 102 classes focus on game strategy and give you practice with some of the trickier aspects of mahjong, all with an instructor on hand to answer questions and offer guidance. It’s a fantastic opportunity to solidify your skills and feel more confident in your gameplay.

Play Online

And remember, practice makes perfect! Even if you can’t gather your group for another game right away, you can keep honing your skills by playing online. We highly recommend I Love Mahj for mahjong practice—its exercises are great for reinforcing what you’ve learned, and many of our students find it invaluable for staying sharp between games.

How to Host a Mahjong Lesson