If you’ve been eager to be a part of the Mah Jongg madness, here’s your chance. During this welcoming, four-class series with Santa Barbara Mah Jongg instructors Cynthia McClelland and Sandra Walther, you’ll learn the fundamentals of American-style Mah Jongg. In less than two weeks, you’ll be playing with confidence.

The series is designed with a building-block approach; each session introduces new skills and builds your confidence. The dates of this series are as follows:

• Wednesday, July 15
• Friday, July 17
• Monday, July 20
• Wednesday, July 22 – the final class is three hours

Please only sign up if you can attend all four sessions.

What to expect:

DAY 1 | THE TILES, THE CARD & THE MAGIC OF THE GAME

Meet the tiles, learn the suits, and discover the rhythm that makes American Mah Jongg so much fun. We’ll introduce the NMJL (National Mah Jongg League) card, its meaning, and explore how winning mah jongg hands are built, discuss patterns and groupings, and begin thinking strategically right from the start.

DAY 2 | MASTERING THE CHARLESTON

The Charleston is where the fun truly begins! Learn how to access the tiles you have been dealt, the step-by-step passing sequence, how to evaluate your tiles, and how smart decisions during the Charleston can shape your entire hand and prepare you to begin the game.

DAY 3 | LET’S PLAY MAH JONGG

Time to get the tiles moving. You’ll learn the flow of the game — picking and discarding, calling for tiles, exposures, and how the game unfolds — while practicing at the table with guidance.

DAY 4 | CONFIDENCE AT THE TABLE

Put everything together you've learned with guided play, helpful strategy tips, and plenty of practice. We’ll review key concepts, answer questions, and ensure you leave ready and excited to join a Mah Jongg table.

What you’ll learn along the way:

• TILE & CARD KNOW-HOW: Understanding suits, symbols, and how to read the NMJL card
• HAND-BUILDING SKILLS: How to spot promising sections, narrow choices, and commit
• SMOOTH CHARLESTON PASSING: How to evaluate your tiles and pass with purpose
• GAMEPLAY BASICS: Calling tiles, making exposures, and going for Mah Jongg
• BEGINNER STRATEGY & ETIQUETTE: Friendly tips that make your game shine

Why you’ll love this class:

• hands-on practice every session, so you learn by doing
• a warm, social environment that makes learning fun
• a confident transition to real play after the full five-day journey

Perfect for:

• total beginners
• curious soon-to-be players
• anyone who loves a good brain-boosting challenge

Join us and explore the thoughtful strategy, lively challenge, and the wonderful community that makes American Mah Jongg such a joy to learn.

This event will be hosted on our third floor, which is only accessible by stairs.