Mahj with Megan

Forget Bunco and Bridge nights! Check out the latest gaming craze sweeping the nation! You’ve likely seen Mahjong popping up on your social feeds lately or maybe have friends and family who already play. If you have been wondering what Mahjong is all about, come check it out at the downtown Raleigh Home Show!

Mahjong is quickly gaining popularity and becoming America’s top new gaming craze.  Don’t be overwhelmed by the tiles and terminology! Newcomers to the game can sign up for beginner lessons and open play sessions at the show all weekend long.

Megan Black, certified Oh My Mahjong instructor and Founder of Mahj with Megan, will teach you the rules and objective of the game – and show you how much fun it can be to play and connect with your community.

Here are some fun facts about the game before you go:

Mahj: The Origin Story

Originating in Southern China in the 1800s, the name Mahjong means ‘sparrow’ as some people say the clacking tiles sound like the bird. The goal of the game? To be the first player to match your tiles to one of the allowed winning combinations.

Benefits of Mahj

Learning and playing Mahjong is linked to better cognitive function, reduced risk of cognitive decline, and improved mood in older adults. Mahjong has a long list of positive side effects: improved memory, strategic thinking, and problem-solving, reducing stress, and fostering a sense of community through engaging, mentally stimulating social interaction that keeps the brain sharp and promotes overall well-being. It can be a powerful tool for healthy aging. 

Celebrities Throw Tiles, Too

A growing number of A-list celebrities are playing the game. Kelly Ripa, Julia Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jenna Bush Hager are reportedly big Mahjong fans.

“The game itself is really so fun,” Meghan Markle recently said on her show. “But what was so great was the idea of learning something new with your friends, together, and then recognizing that the mahjong becomes the background of the expansion of friendship. It’s the feeling of community.”

To get in on the action at the downtown Raleigh Home Show, please visit Mah Jongg Schedule to sign up for a beginner lesson and/or snag an open play slot. Register in advance and win a free ticket to the show. Winning already!