Mahjong is having a moment in Baton Rouge, and we can see why. The tiles are bright. The game is fun. Best of all, it gives people a reason to slow down, sit together, and enjoy each other.
If you have never played, the game may look a little hard at first.
But you do not have to figure it out alone.
Our friend Marcy Maurer brings mahjong to Our Mom’s in Baton Rouge. She loves helping new players learn the game, feel at ease, and have fun around the table.
Here is a simple look at where mahjong came from, how the game works, and why so many people love to play.
A Little Mahjong History
Mahjong began in China. It grew from Chinese card games and became the tile game people know today. The game came to the United States in the early 1900s and became a big hit in the 1920s.
Over time, people created different ways to play. Chinese American families kept strong mahjong traditions alive. Beginning in the 1930s, many Jewish American women also made the game part of their weekly time together. Friends played, talked, shared food, and built close bonds around the table.
The National Mah Jongg League formed in New York in 1937. Its goal was to create one set of shared rules for American mahjong. The League now makes a new card of winning hands each year.
That history is part of what makes mahjong special. It has traveled across places and generations. Yet its heart has stayed much the same: people gathering around a table.
What Is Mahjong?
Think of it a little like a card game. Instead of holding cards, you place tiles on a rack in front of you. The other players cannot see your tiles.
In American mahjong, the tiles include:
- Dots: Tiles with round shapes.
- Bams: Short for bamboo. The one bam often looks like a bird.
- Craks: Numbered tiles with Chinese symbols.
- Winds: East, South, West, and North.
- Dragons: Red, green, and white.
- Flowers and jokers: Special tiles used in many hands.
Players also use a card that shows the hands they can make. A hand is a full set of tiles that fits one of the patterns on the card.
The card may look like a secret code the first time you see it. That is normal! You keep the card next to you while you play. No one expects you to memorize it.
Meet Our Friend Marcy
Marcy Maurer is a certified mahjong instructor and lifelong educator who fell completely in love with the game—and everything that comes with it.
She offers beginner lessons, Mahj 102 classes, private lessons with friends, and team events for the workplace. Her Mahj 102 classes help players practice, learn simple strategies, and feel more comfortable playing on their own.
Marcy has taught groups of friends and led a team event for Baton Rouge General. She has also supported her community by providing mahjong tables for a Sacred Heart of Jesus School fundraiser in Baton Rouge. Her community involvement also includes SJA’s Mahjong Madness event and a fundraiser benefiting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
A Message from Marcy
For me, teaching mahjong is about creating a place where people can relax, laugh, learn, and feel at home. I want every class and open play to feel warm, welcoming, and completely nonjudgmental.
My open plays are all about mahjong, friends, and a little Southern hospitality. Grab a cocktail, enjoy some good food, and spend a few hours away from the everyday.
I love bringing out beautiful tile sets, colorful mats from different artists and designers, and fun little details that make each gathering feel fresh and special.
I want you to leave thinking, “That was so much fun. When can I do it again?”
Come for the mahjong. Stay for the friendships, the laughter, the beautiful tables, and the good times.
Mahjong—but make it Southern, social, and a whole lot of fun! Let’s get your Mahj on!
Mahj Love,
Marcy
Your First Time at a Mahjong Table
Learning is part of the fun.
Here are a few easy ways to feel more at home:
- Ask questions. New words can take time to learn.
- Give yourself time. You do not have to win your first game.
- Enjoy the people. A good table has room for learning and laughter.
If you mix up a tile or lose track of a step, take a breath. Every good player was once a beginner.
Four women play mahjong together around a colorful porch table.
Is Mahjong the Matching Game on My Phone?
No. The tile pictures may look alike, but the games are different.
The phone game is usually a puzzle where you match open tiles to clear the screen. Table mahjong is played with other people. You draw and pass tiles as you work toward a winning hand.
Do I Need My Own Mahjong Set?
If you want to practice at home or have an impromptu game night with your friends, then definitely yes—investing in your own set is awesome! But if you are attending one of Marcy’s lessons, she provides everything you need to learn the game and loves to introduce new mats and tiles and mix and match them in fun ways. No need to worry!
For open plays or business events, the only thing you would ever need to bring is your Mahjong card and a great attitude!
Why Do People Love Mahjong?
The game gives your mind something fun to work on. Every hand brings new choices. You can learn more each time you play.
But mahjong is also about the people beside you. It gives friends time to catch up. It helps new neighbors meet. It can turn a simple night out into a new tradition.
That is what we love most about bringing mahjong to Our Mom’s.
Play Mahjong with Marcy at Our Mom’s Baton Rouge
Ready to pull up a chair?
Marcy brings her warm, no-pressure approach to Our Mom’s in Baton Rouge. It is a fun way to learn, play, laugh, and spend time with good people.
Our Mom’s Baton Rouge is located at 250 West Lee Drive, in the LSU area. Follow Our Mom’s and Marcy for chances to play mahjong with us.
Questions about lessons or upcoming events? Contact Marcy at (225) 439-4139 or Marcy.getyourmahjon@gmail.com.
Whether you are meeting the tiles for the first time or already love the game, we would be happy to have you at the table.
Nobody does it better than Our Mom’s—and game night is even better with our friend Marcy.
