Mahjong harkens an image of the 1950s, when Jewish and Asian women built community while playing the tile game, dishing gossip, and eating snacks.
A resurgence of mahjong has breathed new life into Atlanta social circles, from kids playing the fast-paced Hong Kong version to neighbors drinking mocktails on the back porch while fine-tuning their skills.
The ancient Chinese game is played with a little luck and a little strategy. Each player at a table of four is dealt a hand of 13 tiles marked with symbols. There are three suits called craks, bams, and dots, plus dragons, winds, and flowers. The goal is to trade and collect tiles, complete one of the patterns listed on the official score card, and be the first to declare, “Mahjong!”
Players of strategy card games like Rummy, Bridge, and Spades will see the similarities to mahjong. It’s complicated – and there are a lot of rules to track – but mahjong is not difficult to learn.
Mahjong classes have taken off in metro Atlanta. Shawn Martin is the owner of Two Sparrows Mahjong with her daughter, Faye. Not only does the pair teach classes, they have also launched their own line of artistic playing cards, mats, and yakitori markers. See, mahjong is a game with adorable accessories.
Lucy’s Market in Buckhead is widely known for its mahjong tiles, which can cost $400 depending on the material and the number of tile layers. Vintage tiles are being sold online for $500 and up. Lucy’s offers carrying cases, table cloths, mats, as well as themed cards and napkins.
Two Sparrows has partnered with Explore Brookhaven, the tourism arm of the city, to offer weekly classes at different levels. Together, they’re hosting Brookhaven Bam Bird Day on Sunday, Sept. 29 at Blackburn Park for an open-play day. Mahjong guru Michele Frizzell will be there to share tips.
Mahjong games are popping up all over the city. Woodward Academy, a private school in College Park, hosted two casual play events for parents during the summer. Experienced players paired with the newbies, and everyone got to know other parents from the school that ranges from pre-K to 12th grade.
Guided play events are being held in Chamblee and Dunwoody restaurants, Fulton County libraries, senior living facilities, meetup groups, online, and everywhere in between.
In August, a local Jewish organization hosted a game of mahjong billed as “self-care Sunday” for parents of young kids. More than 50 people showed up. The format was based on neighborhoods, so parents could continue playing with new friends.
Making new connections is one reason Celesta Kemerer was drawn to the game. She said playing mahjong satisfies her passion for games, connection, and hosting. Kemerer hired Martin from Two Sparrows Mahjong to teach 16 women from Candler Park and Lake Claire how to play on her back porch. With so many neighbors learning together, Kemerer knew she’d always be able to get a game going.
“I was hooked from the beginning,” said Kemerer, an only child who grew up on a farm.
Kemerer played a lot of Euchre at the University of Michigan. She went on to live in New York City for seven years, traveling to competitive game night pop-ups. Mahjong came to her at the right time of life, she said.
“As a mom, I’ve abandoned a lot of things that were important to me. Now I have time to reignite some passions,” she said.
After obsessively reading about mahjong, teaching her husband and two kids how to play, and playing regularly with her neighbors, Kemerer turned mahjong into a side job. She started House of Mahjong ATL, offering lessons to beginners and intermediate players as well as advanced strategy classes.
Kemerer has big plans to bring mahjong to the wider community with game night through Candler Park Neighborhood Organization and at Vin wine bar in Edgewood.
“A big dream I have is for us to connect with each other and to drive play within our communities. Rarely do we find opportunities in our lives to put down screens and connect in person over a shared interest,” said Kemerer.
