American Mah Jongg is mostly taught in person, in small groups, by a teacher with a set of tiles and this year's card. Classes fill quickly, and most are not listed in any one place. Here is where to look.
Where to find a class
- Jewish Community Centers. Many JCCs run beginner series every season, and many are open to everyone, not only members. In 2026, JCC East Bay charged $120 for four classes including the card; the JCC of Central New Jersey $100 to $125 for five sessions.
- Public libraries. Libraries run free or low-cost beginner courses, usually with registration required. Ask at the desk or check the events calendar.
- City recreation departments and community centers. Parks and recreation catalogs list mah jongg alongside bridge and pickleball. Pompano Beach, Florida, listed a four-week course at $100 a session in 2026.
- Senior centers and senior living communities. Call the programming director and ask; many centers host classes or know who teaches nearby.
- Facebook groups. Search for "American Mahjong" with the name of your town. Local groups are where teachers announce new classes and where groups look for a fourth.
- Tile and game shops. Shops that sell mah jongg sets are asked every day where to learn, and usually know the local teachers.
- Teacher directories, such as the American Mah Jongg Association's instructor directory and lists kept by tile sellers.
What a beginner series covers
A typical series is three to six sessions: the tiles, the card and how to read it, the Charleston, a turn, calling, jokers, scoring, and then playing with the teacher watching. Most teachers ask you to buy the current National Mah Jongg League card before the first class; some include it in the fee.
A rack from a first lesson: the tiles, the flowers and a joker are where every beginner series starts.
What lessons cost in 2026
| Kind | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Library or community class | free to about $30 for a series |
| JCC or recreation series (3 to 5 sessions) | about $100 to $235 |
| Small private group | about $25 to $50 a person a session |
| Private lesson | about $50 to $100 an hour |
Member prices at JCCs are usually lower.
How to get more from a class
The weekly class is where the game is explained. The improvement happens between classes, in the hands you play in the meantime. At Mahjongg School you can:
- Replay the lesson's ideas in the school's own lessons, from the first tile to reading the card.
- Play whole hands at the table, free and without an account, against three opponents, with help that explains every move.
- Bring your teacher online. A teacher can sit beside you at the school's table, see your rack, ring tiles and leave notes. Teachers who teach online are on the teacher page, and a teacher can list themselves there.
- Find or start a club. Clubs near you lists the clubs that play at the school, and any group can start its own page.
Questions
How do I find mah jongg lessons near me?
Check your local JCC, public library, city recreation department and senior center, search Facebook for "American Mahjong" with your town's name, and ask at shops that sell mah jongg sets. Instructor directories, such as the American Mah Jongg Association's, list teachers by location.
How much do mah jongg lessons cost?
In 2026, beginner series at JCCs and recreation departments cost about $100 to $235 for three to five sessions, library classes are often free or cheap, and private lessons run about $50 to $100 an hour.
How many lessons does it take to learn mah jongg?
Most beginner series run three to six sessions, and most people can then play with a group, with help. Playing hands between sessions shortens that a lot.
Sources
Class listings and prices, 2026: JCC East Bay, JCC of Central New Jersey, Lawrence Family JCC, Boulder JCC, Pompano Beach Parks. Where teachers find students, series length and typical rates: Bam Good Time. Directory: American Mah Jongg Association.