Not at all — and this is genuinely the most common question we get. Absolute beginners are always welcome at TST. Our Mahjong 101 lessons are designed specifically for people who have never touched a tile, and our open play events are relaxed and supportive enough that newcomers fit right in.

If you're nervous, our lessons are the perfect first step. You'll leave knowing how the tiles work, how to read the card, how the Charleston works, and how a real game flows.

American Mahjong (also spelled "Mah Jongg") is the version popularized in the United States in the 1920s and standardized by the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL). It uses a card with winning combinations that changes every year — which is part of what makes it so fun and replayable.

It differs from Chinese, Hong Kong, and Japanese versions in several key ways: it includes Joker tiles, uses the NMJL card to determine winning hands, and includes the Charleston (a tile-passing ritual at the start of each game). At TST, we play American Mahjong exclusively.

DescriptioNope — we bring everything. Tiles, racks, cards, and all the supplies you need are provided at every TST event and lesson. Just bring yourself (and your friends, if you have them).

If you already own a set and want to bring it, you're more than welcome to — but it's absolutely not required.

The National Mah Jongg League card lists all the valid winning hands for the current year. A new card is published every spring — which keeps the game fresh and requires even experienced players to adapt.

You don't need to purchase a card before your first lesson — we provide cards at all our events. We do recommend purchasing your own annual NMJL card ($14–15 at nmjl.org), it’s a great investment.

Honest answer: it has a learning curve, but it clicks faster than most people expect — especially when you learn by playing rather than just reading about it. Most students feel genuinely comfortable by the end of their first 2-hour lesson.

The trickiest parts for most beginners are reading the card and understanding the Charleston. Both of those are core to our 101 & 102 curriculum, so you'll leave with a solid foundation.

Mahjong 101 is for complete beginners. You'll learn how the tiles work, how to read the NMJL card, how the Charleston works, and how a full game flows. No experience required.

Mahjong 102 is for people who've completed 101 (or already know the basics) and want to level up. It's a personalized session focused on the areas you want to strengthen — strategy, card reading, game flow — with real games played tableside and hands-on coaching.

We recommend taking 101 first, then 102 a week or two later.

Both 101 and 102 lessons run approximately 2.5 hours. That's enough time to learn the fundamentals and play at least one real game together, without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Yes — that's the whole point of how we structure 101. By the end of the lesson, you'll have played at least one real game. You won't be an expert, but you'll understand enough to keep playing on your own or join an open play session with confidence.

Our teaching method is organized and proven. We've seen a lot of "I'll never get this" moments turn into "wait, I just won?!" moments by the end of hour two.

No, lessons and league play are separate. However, many students choose to join the league to practice and meet other players.

We host events throughout Glenview, IL and the Chicago North Shore, including Wilmette, Northbrook, Winnetka, and surrounding Chicagoland suburbs. We partner with local restaurants, breweries, and venues — so playing with us usually means good food and drinks are already on-site.

Each event listing shows the specific venue, address, and parking notes. We also occasionally host events in the city of Chicago.

Open Play events are one-time drop-in sessions. You sign up for a single event, show up, play, and have a great time — no ongoing commitment required. Perfect for beginners or anyone with a busy schedule.

Leagues are multi-week recurring sessions with the same group of players. They're ideal if you want to build your skills consistently, get to know a regular crew, and make Mahjong your standing weekly or bi-weekly ritual. Our Summer Friday Leagues in June and July are 3-week mini-leagues — a great entry point.

Come solo — seriously. About half our players show up on their own and meet their table at the event. TST events are specifically designed to be welcoming for solo attendees. You will not be standing awkwardly by yourself; we seat everyone together and the game takes over immediately.

We've seen a lot of real friendships form at TST tables. The game is a natural icebreaker.

It varies by event — always check the event description. Most of our open play events welcome all levels, including newer players who've completed a 101 lesson. Some events are designed specifically for beginners, others for mixed or experienced players.

If you're brand new and haven't taken a lesson yet, we recommend starting with a Mahjong 101 lesson first so you can enjoy open play with confidence.

We understand that plans change. Please email us at thesocialtiles@gmail.com as soon as possible if you need to cancel and/or change. All sales are final, however some sales are transferable based on the type of event.

While we are beginner friendly, the leagues are meant for players that know game play and are looking to strengthen and improve their skill set.

We require all League members to have played Mahjong before. Many league members take our Mahjong 101 and Mahjong 102 classes before joining the league. Check out our public and private lessons for more details. We can get you league-ready in no time!

Our leagues are designed as a weekly Mahjong ritual with organized, guided play in a thoughtfully curated setting. Players are grouped by skill level to create balanced tables, scores are tracked throughout the season, and friendly competition is part of the fun.

We're based in Glenview, IL and primarily serve the Chicago North Shore — including Wilmette, Northbrook, Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Lake Forest, Highland Park, and surrounding suburbs. Most of our public events are in Glenview.

We're also available to travel to most Chicago suburbs for private lessons and events. If you're not sure whether we cover your area, just email us — we'll make it work where we can.

Not at all — TST events are open to everyone. While our community skews toward women (as the American Mahjong community often does), we warmly welcome players of any gender. The only requirement is that you love the game (or want to).

All events are purchased directly through our website. Browse upcoming events, add to cart, and check out securely. You'll receive a confirmation email with all event details. Spots are limited, so we recommend signing up as soon as you can once an event is posted.

Two best ways: follow us on Instagram @thesocialtilesmahjong where we announce new events first, and keep an eye on our Events page here on the site. We're also working on a mailing list — sign up at the bottom of this page to be the first to know when new dates drop.

Absolutely — private events are one of our favorite things to do. We've hosted birthday parties, bachelorette events, girls' trips, corporate team-building sessions, lunch & learns, and more. We bring everything: tiles, instruction, and energy.

Email us at thesocialtiles@gmail.com with your date, group size, and location and we'll put together a custom quote.

The minimum for a private lesson is 4 players — you need a full table to play a real game. For private events and parties, we can accommodate larger groups across multiple tables. There's no strict maximum — just email us and we'll work out the logistics.

We come to you. Whether that's someone's home, a restaurant private room, a corporate office, a country club, or any other space — we bring all the equipment and set everything up. All you need is a table and your people.