How to Host a Mahjong Party Your Guests Will Love

Once reserved for seasoned players and visits to see relatives, mahjong (also known as mah-jongg), is currently experiencing a major resurgence among younger generations eager for meaningful ways to connect offline. This centuries-old Chinese tile game blends the best of strategy, conversation, and friendly competition, making it the perfect addition to family game night or a relaxed night in with friends. 

Adding to its appeal is the game’s newfound design cred. Today’s mahjong sets have been reimagined in a wide range of colors, materials, and modern palettes—think soft pastels, bold brights, and chic neutrals—making them as beautiful to display as they are to play. 

If you’re looking for a fun, new way to host your friends and family in 2026, a mahjong party may be the perfect fit (yes, even if you’re a beginner!). Here are a few approachable ideas to help make your party a success.

Clearly Outline the Rules

Mahjong isn’t just a single game—it is often played differently depending on the region (think American Chinese, Taiwanese, Filipino, and more)—and rules can even vary by household, says Nicole Wong, author of Mahjong: House Rules from Across the Asian Diaspora and founder of The Mahjong Project. As such, making the rules and game type for your mahjong party clear in advance is essential to ensuring a smooth, enjoyable event. 

“For example: ‘We'll be playing American Mahjong using the 2025 National Mahjong League Card, ' or 'We'll be playing Hong Kong style with a 3-point minimum,’" says Nick Leighton, co-host of the Were You Raised by Wolves podcast and seasoned mahjong player and coach.

According to Wong, it also helps to have the most experienced player at the table on call to help with instruction and explanation throughout the game. Think of them like a referee of sorts—someone who can make official calls when questions or disputes come up. This could be you or one of your guests, she says.

Duration

Don’t forget to also include how long the gameplay will last. This can differ from the duration of the party itself (in fact, we recommend adding a bit of a buffer to allow for conversation and socialization!), but should be clearly indicated to help set expectations for the event. 

Rules and Point System

In addition to making the rules clear ahead of time, it’s also a good idea to state the rules and point system clearly and visibly during gameplay. A cheat sheet, if you will. When drafting up your mahjong party cheat sheet, consider questions such as:

“How many points for a self-draw? Are we doing the Charleston? Is calling mandatory or optional? How many points for Thirteen Orphans? What are the rules if someone miscalls or makes an error?” says Leighton. “If playing American-style, it's nice to provide extra League Cards, too,” he adds.

Make Gameplay Comfortable

As with any party, it’s important to ensure guests are comfortable and that adequate seating and table space are provided. This is especially prudent during game-focused events, when attendees will be seated for most of the time. When it comes to mahjong, the table and chair configuration can also impact gameplay, so be sure to consider that. 

“I recommend square or round tables so that everyone is equidistant from the center of the table and so no one is sitting within view of another person's tiles,” says Terri Ferree, events planner and founder of TMF Events and mahjong enthusiast.

Thoughtful Touches

Of course, ensure you have enough seating for all the attendees and that the chairs are comfortable. According to Leighton, adding a side table for each player is a nice touch, allowing them to place snacks and drinks off the game table. 

A mat for each player is another considerate touch, but not required, Leighton adds. These individual mats differ from the main mahjong mat and are purely meant to make gameplay easier—providing a smooth, flat surface that helps reduce noise and protect the tiles and the table underneath. In lieu of individual mats, a tablecloth can also work.

Provide Snacks and Refreshments

Since mahjong is so tactile, not just any snacks will do, according to Leighton. Ideally, provide a range of low-mess snacks that can easily be eaten during gameplay, or take dedicated food breaks throughout the game so your game tiles don’t get covered with food.  

When planning drinks, consider your guest list. Will you provide alcoholic beverages? If you do, be sure to keep them light, easy to grab, and easy to consume while playing (so avoid complicated mixed drinks that need to be made individually). If alcohol is off the table, a range of sodas, juices, and water is always appropriate and can be readily dressed up with cute cocktail glasses and some ice. 

You may also want to consider making your mahjong party a potluck to alleviate some of the pre-party hosting pressure, says Wong. Simply invite your guests to bring a favorite snack or food to enjoy while playing. Ultimately, remember that mahjong is the focus of the event, and snacks and refreshments should support a comfortable, enjoyable gameplay experience. A few intentional and considerate selections will go a long way.

Consider Hiring an Instructor

Hiring an instructor for your event is the perfect way to ensure it is successful while helping you and your friends learn the game properly. Leighton himself says he regularly teaches new players how to play, and Ferree lists hiring a mahjong instructor in her top recommendations for newbies.

“I did this when I first learned, and it was such a great way to get introduced along with friends who were also learning for the first time,” she says.

Encourage Storytelling

Wong notes that for many people, mahjong is more than just a game. Players often connect to the game through someone they know (a grandparent, mother-in-law, friend, etc.), and encouraging your guests to share their stories and anecdotes can be a great way to learn about each other and make gameplay more meaningful. For new players, your event offers the chance to form new mahjong memories and connections through the stories of more experienced players.

For example, Wong says that in her family, there is a superstition that you should not have a big dinner before playing mahjong. 

“This is because when you win a hand of mahjong, you can declare it by saying 'sik wu,' which in Cantonese translates to ‘eating’ the winning hand. Therefore, if you eat a big dinner, you may be too full to 'eat' winning hands at the mahjong table,” she explains. 

It's All About Having Fun with Others

Last but not least, don’t forget to have fun. It can be easy to get caught up in the stress of planning the ‘perfect’ party. However, if you’re not having fun, your guests won’t be either, no matter how meticulously planned your event is. This is especially important to remember during game nights where competition is heavy.

“The host sets the tone, [so] let's make sure every guest keeps things supportive and light. There will always be people of different skill levels at social gatherings like this, and winning isn't everything. The point of getting together is really just to have fun!” Leighton says.