learn to play mahjong with Dear Asia London

About Mahjong

Mahjong is a classic Chinese tile-based game with a rich history and global appeal. Believed to have originated during the Qing Dynasty in the late 19th century, it involves four players and a set of 144 tiles, comprising dots, bamboo, characters, winds, and dragons. The objective is to form a complete winning hand, typically consisting of four melds (sets of three tiles) and one pair. Players draw and discard tiles, aiming to create winning combinations while disrupting their opponents’ strategies. This dynamic blend of skill, strategy, and luck makes mahjong both challenging and enjoyable. There are various regional variations; Japanese riichi mahjong has unique scoring rules, while American mahjong incorporates card-based scoring. Despite these differences, the game’s core elements remain consistent, fostering social interaction and strategic thinking. Today, mahjong is played and loved worldwide, with clubs, tournaments, and online platforms connecting players from diverse cultures, ensuring the game’s enduring appeal.

Lean to Play Mahjong with us

The Dear Asia London Mahjong Club was originally created for our students who love learning about Asian cultures. As professional teachers ourselves, we developed an effective way to teach Mahjong—and it worked! Every student learned to play right away, and we began hosting regular Saturday games. Last year, we opened our workshops to the public via Eventbrite, and the Mahjong community grew even bigger!

Beginner mahjong class

Mahjong isn’t like poker—you can’t just jump in and learn as you go. First, you need to recognize the tiles before the rules start making sense, making the learning curve steeper for beginners. Most people pick it up informally from friends or family, which can be frustrating if you don’t want to ask endless questions before the game truly clicks. We also know that Mahjong is harder to learn alone—it’s a four-player game, after all! That’s why we’ve designed our Beginner Mahjong class to help new players learn together.

That’s why we’ve created these Mahjong Beginner Workshops —to teach you in the best way we know how.

✔ We’re Professional Teachers – Our step-by-step method makes learning Mahjong easy and engaging.
✔ Mahjong is More Than a Game – It’s a vital part of Asian social culture, and we love sharing it with you.

From Zero to Hero

We’ve broken down Mahjong learning into two structured steps, each covered in a 2-hour workshop. In New Beginners Level 1, you’ll start playing right away! We’ll introduce you to the tiles, sets, and winning hands while guiding you through the basic rules and game rhythm. By the end of this session, you’ll feel confident and ready to play Mahjong with others.

Since we don’t dive into scoring rules, bonus points, and special winning hands in Level 1, Not-So-Beginners Level 2 is designed to take your skills further. This workshop will deepen your understanding of Mahjong rules, sharpen your strategy, and help you maximize your scores.

🀄 New Beginners Level 1 Class – Learn the fundamentals & start playing
🀄 Not-So-Beginners Level 2 Class – Improve gameplay & master scoring rules

A Social Game in a Social Space

Mahjong isn’t just about strategy—it’s about bringing people together. Our workshops offer a fun, welcoming space to connect with like-minded players. Who knows? You might even get invited to someone’s game night!

What’s Included:

✔ Expert Mahjong Instructor – Learn from experienced teachers
✔ Mahjong Worksheets – Specially designed for all skill levels
✔ Free Tea & Coffee – Enjoy a warm drink while you play ☕
✔ Festive Treats – Themed Asian delights to match our monthly events 🍡

Ready to play? Look at the event dates below and book for an unforgettable Mahjong experience! 🎉🀄