Crack. Dot. Bam. The tiles, the racks, the community. It’s all about the game of mahjong, and it’s sweeping across the Lowcountry much like bingo did in our mothers’ days. Mahjong is a tile game traditionally played with four people and 152 tiles, but in this moment, it’s less about the rules and more about the community and the local women entrepreneurs who brought the mahjong craze to Charleston in true Southern fashion.
We sat down with some of Charleston’s most influential mahjong women to get the inside scoop.
COMMUNITY FOCUS
You’re invited! At the heart of mahjong is an invitation to be part of something beyond a girls’ night dinner date (although we love those too). Kristin Gee of the Mount Pleasant Mahjong Club puts it perfectly: “Everyone is looking for community, hoping for an invitation…to be included. Mahjong provides a unique backdrop for community building—it’s a multigenerational game and allows for connection around a table.”
Marlo Catropa of The Mahjong Line echoes the sentiment. “It’s all about women coming together to laugh, chat and enjoy each other’s company,” she says. “It’s such a fun way to put our phones down and really spend time with family and friends.”
In a culture filled with endless to-do lists and tireless scrolling, it was time for something to lift our eyes and engage our minds. Megan Masters, founder of Amahj Line, agrees. “Mahjong is so much more than a game,” she says. “It brings people together and really forces them to disconnect from the everyday hustle, focus on the present and build genuine friendships based on shared interests beyond school, work or family.”
INSTRUCTORS
If the desire to join the local mahjong community has piqued your interest, it’s time to learn! A game of both strategy and luck, mahjong takes some finesse, and learning to play typically requires lessons. Lucky for us, we have instructors throughout Charleston who make the game accessible, Instagram-worthy and, most importantly, fun.
Catropa shares her insight on learning and teaching the game. “Learning something new—especially later in life—can be so exciting,” she says. “I like to keep the focus on fun right from the start, reminding new players that the first lesson is all about getting exposure, watching and enjoying the game—not about memorizing or mastering everything right away.”
There are lots of misconceptions about learning to play, but Gee wants to put your mind at ease. “My children were my first mahjong students,” she adds. “I taught them at ages 5, 7 and 9, so I always encourage new players, ‘If my kindergarteners can learn, so can you!’ I think the most important thing is that people feel welcome and comfortable. Mahjong truly is for everyone.”
CLUBS
After learning the game, you may find yourself itching for some friendly competition or consistent opportunities to play. That’s where mahjong clubs come into play. Holy Mahj of Mount Pleasant Mahjong Club are a couple of the clubs trending right now. Since Farm Country Club, we have 96 members competing in teams of four, vying for weekly raffles from local business partners and ultimately grand prizes. Follow her Instagram @MtPleasantMahjClub for updates on the next season.
Holy Mahj hosts classes and leagues at the Card Room located in downtown Charleston, offering a space to host your own event or join one of theirs. They offer everything from children’s classes to an “Under 30s” league, inviting you to find the class and community you desire.
TILES AND MERCHANDISE
Charleston Women wouldn’t exist without the heartbeat of supporting our local women. Amahj Line and Charleston Mahjong Club are both local, female-founded businesses offering their own unique and beautiful tiles. Amahj Line’s inspiration for starting Amahj, Masters says, “Amahj started because I saw a need for beautiful, affordable tile options. As I played more, I realized how hard it can be for beginners to tell the suits apart, so I designed my tiles to be clearly labeled. We’re currently patent pending and the only labeled tiles out there, making them perfect for newcomers.”
Looking for shops to find mahjong accessories and tiles? Check out The Happy Southerner and Lounge with Us to shop all things mahjong while supporting local boutiques. When speaking about her favorite place to shop, Catropa raves about The Happy Southerner. “One of my favorite places to teach and play mahjong is The Happy Southerner in Mount Pleasant. The owners, Jackie, has created such a welcoming space where kindness is the vibe, especially for new players.”
By Kate Finch