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MAHJ — Lesson 1

Welcome to MAHJ

Your path from beginner to your first real game

Goal: Set expectations and get you ready for Lesson 2

Estimated time: 5–7 minutesNeedsNone — start hereUnlocksLesson 2

Why it matters: Going in knowing the game is patterns, not memorization, is what keeps a beginner from feeling lost in the first five minutes.

Step 1 of 12

Welcome to MAHJ

You're about to learn American Mahjong — from your first tile to your first real game.

A Little Different

A yearly card, the Charleston, and its own table etiquette.

Start From Zero

No experience needed. We teach it from the beginning.

Your Goal

By the end, you'll be ready to sit down at a real game.

18 lessons total. The first 9 take you through everything you need for your first game — including the Charleston and your first turn.

A quick note

In just a few minutes, you'll be reading real Mahjong tiles.

We'll take it step by step. You don't need to memorize everything before moving on.

See something confusing or wrong? Tell me — I read every note.

— Sara