REGISTER

Learn and play American Mahjong (NMJL) with a professional educator & experienced Mahjong instructor G. Fitzpatrick. Join a session to learn the game from the beginning or sharpen your skills with guided play and strategy. See Class Descriptions and Schedule below.

Mahjong is often described as a moving meditation in game form—engaging your mind while connecting with others. (See more on Mahjong and brain health (Opens in new window).) All sessions will be held at the Contemplative Commons, 4th Floor, 401A and an Open Play session Friday evening on the 4th floor in the Alchemy. 

After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email. Novice and beginner players will also receive materials in advance to help them arrive prepared and ready to play. 

For parking information, see Visitor Information. 

New to Mahjong?

Participants who are new to the game and sign up for 101A are required to sign up for 101B, which together provide the full foundation needed to begin playing.

Intermediate and advanced players will focus on strengthening strategy, improving speed of decision-making, and deepening gameplay skills.

Sessions are limited to 12 participants per class. 

If your plans change after registering, please notify us as soon as possible so we can offer your spot to someone on the waitlist.

Questions? Please email kayti@virginia.edu. 

Class Descriptions

For class dates and times see the Schedule below.

Novice
Mahj 101A

Skills Developed

• Discover the origin of American Mahjong (NMJL) style of play & the science behind why Mahjong is truly an active meditation and boosts neuroplasticity
• Develop recall for names & quantity of all tiles (discrete & targeted exercises)
• Learn basic mahjong vocabulary (participants encouraged to review vocabulary sheet in advance of session) 
• Detailed instruction on how to decode/ read the NMJL card (discrete & targeted exercises)
• If time permits, based on pace at which these foundational skills appear  to be solidified by participants, an introduction to the Charleston will be covered

Focus

Introduction to Mahjong tiles, rules, and the basic structure of play.

Beginner
Mahj 101B

Skills Developed

• Understand Charleston, passing rules, & play etiquete 
• Brief review of how to interpret coding on NMJL card
• Tiles & Error Rack Hacks drills for how to interpret the density of your rack & locate sections of card that you will have highest likely hood of developing
• Identify simple hand patterns
• Learn how to call/discard tiles 

Focus

Reinforcing the rules and building confidence playing full rounds.

Intermediate & Advanced
Mahj 102A/B

Skills Developed

• Improve your confidence & speed to recognize viable hands more quickly
  learn to organize your rack more strategically
• Practice Tiles & Errors Rack Hacks drills for best practices during Charleston & play for strategic passing/discarding & calling for tiles
• Pivot Practice
• Strategic use of Jokers
• Prep for the April drop of the new 2026 NMJL card & analysis of cards from previous years 
• Overview of how to play with 5, 3, or 2 players versus the standard 4 person game

Focus

Advanced strategic play and competitive-level Mahjong skills.

Session Schedule

For the descriptions of the different class levels see Class Descriptions above.

Tuesday, March 24

10:00–11:30 AM — Mahj 101A
1:00–2:30 PM — Mahj 101A 3:00–4:30 PM — Mahj 102A/B
6:00–9:00 PM — Mahj 101A & 101B (Extended Learning Session)

Wednesday, March 25

10:00–11:30 AM — Mahj 101B
1:00–2:30 PM — Mahj 102A/B
3:00–4:30 PM — Mahj 101B

Thursday, March 26

10:00–11:30 AM — Mahj 102A/B

Friday, March 27

10:00–11:30 AM — Mahj 102A
1:00–4:00 PM — Mahj 101A & 101B (Extended Learning Session)
5:00–6:30 PM — Mahj 102A/B
7:00–9:00 PM — Open Play in Alchemy