By now, you’ve probably heard of Mahjong, spotted the colorful tiles all over social media, or lost a friend, spouse, or loved-one for a couple of hours every week to their standing game. What looks like a trendy pastime is actually a centuries-old game built on strategy, tradition, and community. Our friend Sam Powell is helping introduce a new generation to American Mahjong through Girls Just Wanna Mahj, creating a welcoming space for everyone from curious beginners to seasoned players. We caught up with Sam to talk about the game’s rich history, why it’s having such a moment, and how it’s bringing people together one table at a time.
How did you first discover mahjong, and what was it about the game that kept you coming back?
I first learned American mahjong during summers with my family on Lake Michigan, when friends from Charleston introduced me to the game. I was instantly hooked. I grew up playing card games like Euchre with my family, so I’ve always loved the tradition of gathering around a table. Mahjong felt like an extension of those memories, but elevated with beautiful tiles, stunning tablescapes, and lots of strategy.
When I returned to Denver, I convinced a group of friends to learn with me so we’d have people to play with. Now we gather every single week, and it’s become one of my favorite two hours of the week. What keeps me coming back is the perfect combination of connection, strategy, and mental challenge, and I just love playing with the beautiful tiles. No matter how long you’ve been playing, there’s always something new to learn and more people to play with.
Mahjong is having a fashionable resurgence, from beautifully designed tiles to social clubs popping up across the country, how do you balance making the game feel fresh and accessible while ensuring its cultural heritage isn’t lost in the trend?
I think the beautiful tiles, curated tablescapes, and stylish accessories are exactly what’s attracting so many people to American mahjong. People see it everywhere and naturally wonder, “What is this game, and why is everyone I know playing?” That curiosity is a wonderful thing because once they sit down to learn, they discover that the real magic isn’t just the aesthetic, it’s the tradition, the strategy, and the connection that happens around the table.
As an instructor, I feel a responsibility to preserve those traditions. While I love seeing the creativity surrounding the game, I teach the established rules and etiquette because I want my students to be able to sit down at any table and confidently know how to play. Trends will come and go, but the foundation of the game is what has made it endure for generations. My hope is that we continue to embrace the modern style of mahjong while honoring the traditions that make it so special.
Mahjong has evolved significantly since it arrived in the US, with American Mahjong having its own distinct style. Where do you think we should be thoughtful about preserving the traditions of the original game?
I think it’s important to recognize that Chinese Mahjong and American Mahjong are two distinct games, each with its own rich history, traditions, and style of play. American Mahjong has evolved into something uniquely its own, and that evolution is part of what makes the game so fascinating.
For American Mahjong, I believe the National Mah Jongg League provides the gold standard for the rules, etiquette, and structure of the game. I love seeing the creativity happening within the community, from beautiful tile sets to new card designs. That creativity has helped introduce countless new players to the game.
As an instructor, though, I believe every player should first learn the established rules and traditions. Once they have that foundation, they’re free to adapt or explore variations within their own groups. Knowing the “why” behind the traditions allows players to make smart choices while ensuring the integrity of the game is preserved.
What inspired you to start your own mahjong community, and what did you feel was missing from the way people were gathering?
My love for mahjong drew me to teaching small groups for school fundraisers and then people asking if I would teach them. Then I ultimately stumbled upon a lovely space at Reivers on Gaylord street. I thought it would be such a beautiful space to hold social nights in our neighborhood. At the time, I was driving 20 minutes to play in other leagues and I craved something in Wash Park because I love our community so much. I thought this would be an amazing way to bring people together and also spend time at one of our neighborhood restaurants. My friends and family convinced me I could do it and I am so incredibly happy because it is now something really special.
What has building this community taught you about the importance of creating spaces where people can unplug, gather around a table, and connect face-to-face?
This is my favorite part of mahjong. Yes, it is a game. But the social connection it creates is priceless. For example, I taught a group of four women a few months ago. Three were friends with each other and one had just found me on FaceBook. None had seen mahjong before. They took three lessons together and now they come to the Monday night social society and it has created an entirely new outlet in their lives. The community that they have joined allows them to put down their phones, bond over strategy, while also learning about each other’s lives and supporting each other. People are craving something that is social, uses their mind and doesn’t involve a screen.
For many people, mahjong looks intimidating at first glance. What’s the biggest misconception beginners have, and what usually hooks them after their first few games?
Oh the card! I try not to show new players the card right away because it looks like another language they have to learn. I think people believe it is super hard and takes so much time. But once everyone sits around the table and learns that it is a game of patterns and groups using these beautiful tiles and traditions it is almost like they are now in on the secret and they want to learn more and more. Like any hobby (golf, bridge, pickleball) it takes some time to ramp up and learn, but once they start playing it becomes part of their life.
Beyond strategy, what do you think keeps people coming back week after week? Is it the game itself, the ritual, the friendships, or something else entirely?
Mahjong is all of those things. In a world where we can be connected and physically be all alone, mahjong allows for that personal interaction in a place where you instantly have something in common. Then in addition to the game and traditions, modern American mahjong has become a canvas for creativity. The mats, the tiles, the tables, even the mahjong rooms are allowing people to add their own personality to the game. Add that to a weekly social gathering and that is a recipe for something amazing. I love that I get to be a part of it.
To learn more, visit girlsjustwannamahj.com to join this welcoming community!