Hi Mahjongg friends,
Mahjongg Craze has grown to 20 members, including me — and I am so excited to share what’s starting to take shape.
When this group began, the dream was simple: help people find friendly American Mahjongg games around Tucson, learn at a comfortable pace, and feel welcome at the table no matter their skill level.
And now? That little dream is starting to bloom.
Our Mahj Garden Is Growing
Our member intake responses are showing a wonderful mix of players from across the Tucson area, including the East side, West side, Central Tucson, NW, SW, Marana, Sonoita, and more.
Even better, we’re seeing exactly the kind of community Mahjongg Craze was created for:
- Brand-new learners
- Beginners building confidence
- Returning players looking for friendly games
- Intermediate players wanting more table time
- Experienced players who enjoy a casual, social game
That combination is what makes a group feel alive.
Learning Tables Are Needed — And That’s a Good Thing
A large part of our group is still learning or rebuilding confidence, which tells me there is a real need for friendly, patient American Mahjongg teaching in Tucson.
If you are new, rusty, or still feeling overwhelmed by the NMJL card, please know this:
You are not behind.
You are not the only one.
And you are exactly who Mahjongg Craze is here to support.
We’ll keep building teaching opportunities as the group grows.
Wednesday Zoom & Amy Teaching Days
I’m moving toward a more structured 3-hour teaching format for Wednesday Zoom and Amy Teaching days.
First 2 hours: Foundation Training
We’ll focus on the essentials: reading the NMJL card, understanding tiles, choosing a hand, Charleston basics, joker basics, and table rhythm.
Final hour: Game Basics + Guided Play
This will give newer players a chance to apply what they just learned in a supported way. When time allows, we’ll also cover the blind pass, which is one of those little Mahjongg details that can feel confusing until someone walks you through it.
My goal is to help members feel more comfortable, less overwhelmed, and more ready to sit at a table anywhere.
A Tucson-Wide Mahjongg Dream
One thing I’m especially excited about is how many members are willing to travel or meet in different parts of town.
That matters because the long-term vision is bigger than one table or one venue.
A Mahjongg game somewhere in town, any day, any time.
We’re not there yet, but the pieces are starting to come together.
Best Days & Times Are Emerging
Based on member responses, Saturday, Friday, Tuesday, and Thursday are looking especially promising for future play opportunities.
Early afternoon continues to be the strongest time, but there is also interest in mornings, late afternoons, and evenings.
That gives us room to keep experimenting with different tables, formats, and locations.
Do You Know a Good Public Open Play Venue?
I’m continuing to look for good public places where Mahjongg Craze members can gather for open play.
The ideal venue would have:
- Public access
- Easy parking
- Enough table space
- A friendly atmosphere
- Food/drink or community seating
- Willingness to host a respectful group for a few hours
If you know of a good café, clubhouse, library, recreation center, community room, or other public-friendly space, please let me know.
Every good venue suggestion helps move us closer to the bigger dream.
The Ducks Are Coming
One of the cutest ideas we’re exploring is a simple duck-counting system for wins.
The idea is playful: when you win, you collect a duck. Over time, we can use the ducks to celebrate wins in a fun, low-pressure way — monthly, quarterly, or even yearly.
You won the hand — take your duck!
Our Mahjongg Craze Website Is Live
I’m excited to share that Mahjongg Craze now has a website:
For now, Meetup is still the main place to RSVP, see event details, and receive event updates. The website is becoming our broader home base — a place for group information, newsletters, teaching updates, event guidance, and eventually more public Mahjongg opportunities around Tucson.
The long-term goal is to make it easier for people to understand what Mahjongg Craze is, find the right event, and feel comfortable joining the table.
A Little Dream: Keeping Teaching Free
One of my long-term hopes is to keep Mahjongg Craze teaching free for members as long as possible.
To help support that, I’m beginning to explore a few fun, optional ways members could support the group in the future — things like Mahjongg Craze table goodies, accessories, or other playful items that fit our Tucson Mahjongg spirit.
Nothing is required, and nothing is decided yet. I’m just starting to gather interest and dream a little.
The heart of it is simple:
More fun, more tables, more learning — and keeping Mahjongg Craze welcoming.
Tiny Question for You
Would you be interested in optional Mahjongg Craze goodies if they helped support free member teaching?
- Yes, definitely
- Maybe, depending on the item
- Maybe, depending on price
- Not right now
You can share your answer by updating your member form here:
https://bit.ly/mahjongg_craze_intake
Founding Members Circle
Because Mahjongg Craze is still in its early growth season, I’m keeping our early members as part of our founding group until we reach our first big membership milestone.
That milestone is still to be decided, but the meaning is clear:
You are helping shape the beginning of Mahjongg Craze.
Whether you joined to learn, play, host, teach, travel, or simply find friendly people at the table — you are part of this beginning.
What You Can Do Next
Here are the best ways to help Mahjongg Craze grow:
- Visit the website: mahjonggcraze.com
- RSVP on Meetup when you plan to attend
- Fill out or update the member intake form if your availability has changed: https://bit.ly/mahjongg_craze_intake
- Invite a friend who wants a friendly Mahjongg table
- Let me know if you know of a good public open play venue
- Watch for Wednesday Zoom, Amy Teaching days, ducks, new tables, and future member updates
The intake form helps me match members with the right tables, teaching support, days, times, and areas of town.
Thank you for being part of this growing Tucson Mahjongg community.
See you at the table,
Amy
Mahjongg Craze
mahjonggcraze.com
Meetup.com/mahjongg-craze