Play Time: We’re All About Mah Jongg
July 30, 2026
You’ve likely heard one of your friends mention they’re off to a mah jongg get-together recently. Or perhaps you grew intrigued with the four-person tile game when it was featured in the smash-hit Crazy Rich Asians.
The game has spiked in popularity in the United States recently, with clubs, meetups and lessons surging across the country and across generations.
Mah jongg is a great way to gather with community, enjoy screen-free time and exercise your brain.
According to the Atlantic, the game was invented in the mid-to-late 1800s, largely as a gambling pastime. It made its way to the U.S. in the 1920s.
Today, there are two versions of mah jongg—American and Chinese—and their rules, tile counts and accessories are different. We won’t get into the details, but suffice it to say there is a lot of strategy that goes into playing—and winning—the game. But learning is half the fun.
And the Tides Inn is a fabulous place to learn or to break out your beloved set.
If you already know how to play: The View Room or the patio at Salt & Meadow are bright, comfortable spaces for setting up your racks.
If you’re looking to learn—or level up your game: Our next Mah Jongg Camp is coming up November 8–12, 2026. Join us for guided instruction from expert Dana Lange, supervised game play where you can dial in your strategy, two group receptions and, of course, leisure time to enjoy autumn at the Tides Inn.