The fascinating evolution of American Mahjong
- Missy Mahjong
- Mar 21
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
American mahjong has a rich cultural history. Sure, mahjong has its origins from China from the mid 1800s. By the time it made its way to United States in the early 1900s, the game was evolving.
Historic origins of Chinese Mahjong
When Americans were first introduced to mahjong, it was a gentlemen’s gambling game. Women quickly became fascinated with the game and its ties to the East. Asian culture was exciting and different. American women couldn’t get enough of it, whether it was food, fashion or this intriguing tile game.
The American mahjong evolution of the 1920s
In the 1920s, the game was spreading throughout American cities and society. There were women dealing tiles in jazz clubs in the north and women hosting mahjong parties in historic mansions in the South.
Much like a game of telephone, the rules became a little murkier as time went on.
After all, American versions of mahjong were essentially just table rules deviating from the original Chinese version that had come before. The evolution of American mahjong was happening very fast.
Games and lessons were often played to raise money for charitable causes by high society Americans. Wealthy women hosted mahjong parties in their homes and displayed the collections of “bone” tiles and game tables for philanthropic purposes that they personally cared about.
The National Mah Jongg League formed in 1937
American mahjong had become increasingly popular with Jewish women in America, as other women had moved on to other hobbies. A group of women organized in 1937 to form the National Mah Jongg League.
The rules had become so different from table to table that it had deviated into a series of completely new games. The National Mah Jongg League was created to standardize the rules. Still keeping the philanthropic roots of American mahjong before the NMJL, the cards that were issued every year gave a portion of the proceeds to select charities. This practice still holds true today.
Mahjong regains popularity in 2020
When the covid pandemic hit, American women reconnected with the game. American mahjong had mainly been played the past 85 years in Army bases and in the Jewish community.
In the South, especially in Texas, the tile game found its place again during the lockdown. The traditional tiles were quickly being replaced with modern designs. The Chinese characters are still found on some sets, but increasingly the new tile designs featured everything from cowboy boots to NYC taxi cabs to antlers.
This game had evolved with an updated, modern twist.
Modern American mahjong games in 2024
American Mahjong was gaining traction… and fast. You could now find friendly games in country clubs, coffee shops, churches, hotels and especially in private homes any day of the week, at any time of day.
The South, including Texas, Florida and Tennessee were some of the fastest growing mahjong markets.
Philanthropy was still a very important aspect of American mahjong, and lessons and games were often being held as a “Mahj for a Cause” fundraiser. Events were less about gambling and more about charity.
Missy Mahjong’s experience
Originally from Chicago, the only people I ever knew that played mahjong were either Chinese in Chinatown or Jewish grandmothers.
But then in the mid 2010s, I was associating mahjong and Asian culture in a new way. Kevin Kwan wrote a series of books starting with Crazy Rich Asians which was later became a successful movie sharing the same title. To this day, this series is my favorite of all time.
Asian culture was intriguing to me as it must have been to women in the 1920s and 1930s. I traveled to Tokyo with my husband for our anniversary. Even my young kids were always begging me to take them for dim sum, boba tea and to the candy store in Chicago’s Chinatown.
In 2022, I started noticing mahjong with the trendy Jewish American young women in Miami and the automatic tables in Chinatown. I was searching for connection after the pandemic, I wanted to get offline and I wanted to play this game.
I finally committed to find a teacher in early 2024. It felt a little shady going to her house, so I brought some cash and a friend and I had my first lesson (thanks, Jen). Two lessons and some practice and I was hooked.
Asian culture was intriguing to me as it must have been to women in the 1920s and 1930s.
I ordered my first fancy set from Oh My Mahjong and I was ready to rack and roll. I was over the pickleball craze and mahjong was my new “thing.”
The older mahjong players I found in Chicago didn’t like my modern tiles and chatting during play. The ladies at the library were kind, but serious. I was on a mission to find more players like me.
I wanted to play in real life, all the time. I started teaching friends out of necessity and I shadowed other teachers for free to help bring more mahjong players to the table.
My special gift is connecting people and getting others excited about the latest “must do.”
The summer of 2024 I was playing at least 10 hours a week at the lake.
I was spending less time online and more time face to face, connecting with new friends over friendly games.
That following fall, I moved to Nashville. Most players I first met played with alternative cards to the NMJL. They had lots of table rules, including no dice, blanks and raised a glass every time a one bam was thrown.
Southern hospitality was new to me. We played in private homes and in the gardens. Some hostesses even had staff during the game to serve refreshments and snacks.
Southern mahjong was the same game, but with new twists.
Nashville mahjong has a strong philanthropic connection. I joined the fundraiser for the Vanderbilt Children’s hospital and used my time and talent (and several mahjong sets) to teach, guide play and host events.
I am an American woman that loves Asian inspired mahjong. I am a lifelong learner, philanthropist, historian and traveler. To me, sharing a great game of American mahjong and trying a new spin on this game in every market is exciting.
The culture of mahjong is still evolving and I am looking forward to learning from the past and embracing changes in the future.
My main reference for this post, besides personal experience, is Mahjong: A Chinese Game and the Making of Modern American Culture by Annelise Heinz
If you have any interest in the history of mahjong, I highly suggest reading this book or listening to the Audible version. It is well researched and fascinating. Bravo, Annelise Heinz!
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