Mahjong: From Jungle Hideouts to American Retreat

Mahjong: From Jungle Hideouts to American Retreats - A Timeless Game Reborn

In a recent Wall Street Journal feature by Jamie Waters, the ancient game of mahjong is experiencing an unexpected renaissance across America. What was once a quiet, cultural pastime in Chinatown backrooms has now spilled into trendy bars, social clubs, and even luxury retreats, some costing as much as $2,500 for a curated weekend of tiles, tea, and tactics.

As I read the article, I found myself transported, not to Connecticut retreats or Manhattan lounges, but to a very different time and place. A time when the clatter of mahjong tiles was not just recreation, but refuge.

A Game Learned Too Early, Yet Never Forgotten

I was only five years old when I first learned mahjong. Not in a classroom, not in a formal setting, but in the midst of uncertainty, during the dark days of the World War II in the Philippines.

We played in jungle hideouts, escaping the realities of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. The game was more than strategy; it was survival. The familiar click of tiles against bamboo tables became a kind of reassurance that life, in some small way, still had order.

In those moments, mahjong was not about winning or losing. It was about endurance, distraction, and community.

Mahjong as a Filipino Pastime: Joy and Complexity

In the Philippines, mahjong evolved into something uniquely its own. It became a staple of social gatherings played in homes, street corners, and fiestas. Like many traditional games, it straddled a fine line between harmless pastime and something more complicated.

Over the years, in my blog posts, I have reflected on how mahjong became intertwined with:

• Family bonding, where generations sat together for hours
• Friendly gambling, often small stakes, sometimes not so small
• Addiction, where the thrill of the game could quietly take hold

This duality is important. Mahjong, like life itself, carries both light and shadow. It brings people together, but it can also isolate. It sharpens the mind but can tempt the vulnerable.

America’s New Mahjong Moment

What fascinated me most about today’s resurgence is how the game has been reimagined.

In cities across the United States, mahjong is no longer confined to immigrant communities. It has been rediscovered almost reinvented as a social experience:

• Young professionals gathering over cocktails and tiles
• Curated retreats promising mindfulness and mastery
• Designers creating aesthetically pleasing, modern tile sets

In many ways, America is encountering mahjong for the first time, not as inheritance, but as discovery.

And yet, I wonder: can a curated retreat ever capture the essence of what the game meant in a jungle hideout, or in a modest Filipino home where laughter and tension mingled freely?

The Sound of Tiles Across Time

What remains unchanged, however, is the rhythm. The unmistakable sound of tiles being shuffled, stacked, and claimed.

That sound connects:

• A frightened child in wartime Philippines
• Families gathered under dim lights in Manila
• And now, players in chic American lounges

Mahjong is not just a game. It is a thread that weaves through history, culture, and personal memory.

A Reflection for My Readers

As someone who has been writing since 2009, chronicling food, culture, history, and the quiet moments in between, I see mahjong as more than a subject. It is a metaphor.

It teaches patience. It demands awareness. It reminds us that life, like the game, is part skill, part chance, and part timing. And perhaps that is why it endures.

From jungle hideouts to Connecticut retreats, from childhood survival to modern leisure-mahjong continues to evolve, yet never loses its soul.

Final Thought

In a world that constantly reinvents itself, there is something deeply comforting about a game that has already seen it all, war, peace, migration, reinvention and still invites us to sit down, take a tile, and begin again.

Meanwhile, here's the AI Overview

Mahjong, a captivating tile-based game originating in 19th-century China, has traveled a remarkable path from local gatherings to a global phenomenon, particularly experiencing a modern revival in the United States. Its evolution saw the game move from social settings in the Yangtze River Delta to becoming a glamorous American hobby, evolving through the 1920s, anchoring community among Jewish-American women, and currently surging in popularity at upscale retreats and young adult social clubs. 

Origins: From Chinese Social Tables to Western Discovery

• Birth of the Game: Developed in the mid-to-late 1800s in China, likely around the Yangtze River Delta, Mahjong evolved from older card games like madiao. It was, and remains, a game of skill, strategy, and calculation.
• Name Origin: "Mahjong" (or "sparrow") comes from a local Chinese dialect term for the bird-like clacking sound the tiles make when shuffled, known as the "twittering of the sparrows".
• The "Jungle" of Misinformation: When Joseph P. Babcock introduced Mahjong to the West in the early 1920s, he tailored the rules and added Western numerals to the tiles. Many early sets and manuals propagated "inaccurate fantasies" about its history to make it seem more ancient to Western audiences.
• Initial U.S. Craze: By 1920, Mahjong arrived at American ports, including Abercrombie & Fitch, which sold out almost immediately, becoming a staple of "roaring twenties" high society. 

Adaptation: The Americanization of Mahjong

• The League: In 1937, the National Mah Jongg League was formed in New York to standardize the rules of American Mahjong.
• Key Differences: American Mahjong is distinct from Chinese or Japanese versions. It uses 152 tiles (including 8 jokers) rather than 144, uses racks, and features a yearly scorecard of valid hands.
• Cultural Bridge: In the mid-20th century, Mahjong became a vital cultural tradition, particularly among Jewish-American women. It served as a vital tool for community building and socialization, allowing women to connect and form strong networks in post-World War II suburban areas. 

The Rebirth: Modern American Retreats and Resurgence 

• A New Craze: In the 2020s, Mahjong is seeing a significant resurgence, with searches for games increasing nearly 200% between 2023 and 2024.
• Posh Retreats: Luxury hotels and resorts have adopted Mahjong, offering tournaments, "Mahj and Margaritas" packages, and weekend retreats at places like The Greenbrier and Sea Island Resort.
• Millennials and Gen Z: Modern social clubs, like the Green Tile Social Club in New York, are attracting younger players who appreciate the tactile, screen-free social interaction, often viewing it as a "social lubricant" for making new friends.
• Hollywood Glamour: Celebrities like Julia Roberts, Blake Lively, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have helped popularize the game, transforming it into a high-octane social scene. 

Today, the game serves as both a, cherished tradition and a modern obsession, bringing people together across generations and cultural backgrounds. 

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/02/chinese-mahjong-scoring-tables-by.html

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/10/playing-mahjong-philippine-style-here.html

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/07/basic-asianhong-kong-mahjong-versus.html

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2023/07/a-new-activity-here-at-thd-asian.html

The above are my previous articles on mahjong. My Favorite tile Game. Here's a short video, why mahjong is getting popular even with younger generations.  

https://youtu.be/JCcfzHS1GKA?si=augS9WAr2tiMGXyu

Status of My Mahjong Games Today:

When I moved to THD 3 years ago, there were several tables of American Mahjong played by several seniors Jewish female residents. There was no Asian Mahjong. I organized it and now we have three tables of Hong Kong style ( 13 tiles, no joker) and one Philippine style ( 16 styles with 2 jokers). Occasionally, I play Chinese style ( points system) when I visit my son in Benecia. The Chinese style, point system  is the most conflicated style of the three styles in spite of the absence of Jokers.   

Lastly, here are 5 major news stories today, based on the latest headlines from AP and NPR coverage for May 20, 2026:

1. The Senate advanced a bill aimed at ending the Iran war, signaling growing pressure in Washington to de-escalate the conflict.

2. Barney Frank, the former congressman and gay-rights pioneer, died at 86.

3. The Trump-backed Republican primary challenge in Kentucky ousted Congressman Thomas Massie, a notable upset in GOP politics.

4. AP reports that the White House and federal courts remain focused on Trump-era policy fights, including tariffs and major legal disputes.

5. NPR highlighted a mix of domestic and international developments, including ongoing political fallout from the Iran conflict and other breaking U.S. news.

Tips on Purchasing Automatic Mahjong Tables

 

Last Monday my home care aide (A Pinay) was 30 minutes late. I was worried as she was always on time even 5 minutes early. She told me she overslept. Later on she volunteered the reason why she overslept was the fact that she played automatic mahjong in her friend's house up to 2AM. Because it was late she did not go home and slept on her friend's couch. Her Friend's house is only 5 minutes away from me. Her own residence ( son's house) is 25 minutes away. I was curious about automatic mahjong table so I did some search here's what I found.

The automatic mahjong table cost varies from the cheapest model of $300 to the most expensive model-$50,000.00. The one I like is described below and can be purchased from Amazon.

https://www.google.com/search?q=automatic+mahjong+table+price&client=ubuntu&hs=rhz&channel=fs&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj306f3juP7AhW4JDQIHQHNACgQ_AUoAnoECAIQBA&biw=1373&bih=719&dpr=1

Amazon.com - Seller · $1,249.99

USA Mahjong Table 144Tiles 44mm 松乐 超大手感牌 Folding Automatic Mahjong Table with 4 Drawers & 2 Sets of 44mm No Number Chinese / Philippine Tiles ( Blue & Green) Not Fit

Visit

下单后您会收到一封确认邮件,请及时回复以便我们尽快发货,谢谢您的理解!You will receive a confirm message from seller, please reply it so that we can ship your order ASAP. Thank you for your understanding! 驰名品牌松乐,品质有保障。Tabletop Dimensions: 39′′ x 39′′ x 30.5" high from floor to tabletop Weight: 220 lb Cable:110v, Length: 5 feet long The folding table automatically shuffle tiles and push a button to roll the dice and start playing in 3 seconds! Comes 2 sets of 144pcs 44mm (43mm x 32mm x 22mm) large size magnetic tiles plus 8 blank tiles. 超大手感牌 

Never use MAGNETIC CHIPS! They will cause table breakdowns!We will provide the foldable table assembly instruction and Mahjong Table Convertible Modes electronic document Never use MAGNETIC CHIPS! They will cause table breakdowns! 

Contemporary Pedestal Automatic Mahjong Table comes 2 sets of magnetic tiles 144 tiles (1 Blue & 1 Green) The table can be used not only with Chinese mahjong set, but also Philippine style, India style...etc, but please double check the tiles picture and make sure that is what you play, usually not for American mahjong style. 

You can easily switch the modes on the table according to your preference : ) Example: Switch the code to "01" --- when playing 144 tiles (Traditional Chinese Mahjong ) Switch the code to "01" --- when playing 144 tiles. Tabletop dimensions: 38′′ x 38′′ 30.5" high from floor to tabletop Weight: 220 lb Cable:110v, Length: 5 feet long High quality table motor was designed by SOLOR Inc. and with the corporation of Panasonic team. The tiles are pretty and it's nice to have the numbers on the Chinese character tiles. Tiles were made of melanmine. 144 tiles Full Size Mahjong Set unfold dimensions: 110 cm x 101 cm x 77 cm Package included 1 automatic mahjong table + 2 sets of magnetic tiles 144 tiles (1 Blue & 1 Green)

 Here's a video of how the automatic mahjong table works.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpbjH_eHc6A

For the article why mahjong is a Katague clan Tradition read:

https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2021/12/playing-mahjong-reliving-my-favorite.html 

 Here's a video for Beginners-13 tiles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix6DmwP4Ets 

 

The reasons why Mahjong is Addicting:
 

 https://techstory.in/the-science-behind-why-mahjong-can-be-so-addictive-lets-find-out/

Playing Mahjong-Reliving My Favorite Activity During My Childhood Years

Dodie, Ditas, Carenna, Alix, Brendan and Yuka playing Mahjong during Macrine's one Year Waksi Celebration, August 8, 2021
 

Dodie, Alix, Brendan ( Alix Apartment Mate), and Yuka playing the Game with me as the Adviser/Consultant if they have questions, Dec 19. 2021 ( My 87th Party Lunch). My real BD is Dec 20. Alix, my granddaughter ( Dodie's oldest daughter) birthday is also Decemeber 20, but she is 60 years youner than me. 

 

Have you heard of the tile game mahjong? I associate the word mahjong with the following: childhood and teenage years, parties, reunions,  my mother, addiction and relatives and Barotac Viejo, Iloilo. How about you? A Mahjong Set-We have 2 mahjong sets-the cheap(plastic) and expensive( ivory) in the Philippines.

I learned this tile game when I was a child. It is mostly a game of luck, once you learned the basics of the game. This tile game is similar to the card game, gin rummy, but played with tiles. It is a game that most Filipina housewives are addicted to. I am sure if you reside in the Philippines or Hongkong, this game must be very familiar to you. You may be even addicted to it.

My mother taught me as well as my brothers and sisters how to play mahjong when we were growing up in the Philippines. We have two mahjong sets in the house. The cheap one was made of plastic which we used quite often and the expensive one made of ivory. The one made of ivory, we only used on special occasion when we celebrate birthdays, weddings and other special events when I was growing up in the Philippines.

According to my mother, I started playing mahjong very well when I was only 5 years old. It is a game of luck with a little skill involve once you learn the basics. I also learned how to play a card game called "Pangingue" in the Philippines, probably similar to pinochle, but different from gin rummy. Mahjong can be played on line or you can buy a disk and play it in your computer.

I have a disk (Hongkong mahjong) in my computer, but it has been a while since I played this game. Mahjong like any gambling game is very addictive. I have heard that a close relatives in the Philippines died of tuberculosis(TV) because he played mahjong almost all day and do nothing else. Unbelievable,if this is true.

Mahjong rules and specifics varies from region to region in the Philippines, but it is still a favorite past time of the middle class in the Philippines. A lot of Filipina housewives are addicted to mahjong. Besides mahjong there are two card games popular in Marinduque and other parts of the Philippines are PIKWA and TONG-IT. A number of housewives in my neighborhood in Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque play Tong-it every afternoon, both for recreation and a little gambling activity. We play Tong-it during a party break as a family game but no betting involved, when we are in Marinduque.

For rules and instruction how to play Mahjong read Wikipedia or ask a friend or relative for a demonstration. Once you learned the game, be careful it could be very, very addictive. But again, it is an excellent way to get rid of your boredom and the long, long hot summer in the Philippines. Here's a summary of the game from Wikipedia.org

"Mahjong, also spelled majiang, mah jongg, and numerous other variants, is a game that originated in China. It is commonly played by four players (with some three-player variations found in South Korea and Japan). The game and its regional variants are widely played throughout Eastern and South Eastern Asia and have a small following in Western countries. Similar to the Western card game rummy, mahjong is a game of skill, strategy, and calculation and involves a degree of chance.

The game is played with a set of 144 tiles based on Chinese characters and symbols, although some regional variations use a different number of tiles. In most variations, each player begins by receiving 13 tiles.(In Iloilo we used 16 tiles). In turn players draw and discard tiles until they complete a legal hand using the 14th drawn tile to form four groups (melds) and a pair (head). 

 

There are fairly standard rules about how a piece is drawn, stolen from another player and thus melded, the use of simples (numbered tiles) and honors (winds and dragons), the kinds of melds, and the order of dealing and play. However there are many regional variations in the rules; in addition, the scoring system and the minimum hand necessary to win varies significantly based on the local rules being used".

So my dear friends and relatives, if you have a few hours to relax why not play mahjong? The set could be purchased on-line or in some gift shop stores in big cities China Town. 

There are on-lines sites to play mahjong. Be sure it is Hongkong mahjong. The basic game is simple, but the addicted players/experts can make it complicated by scoring and aiming for harder combination and levels. Again it could develop into a gambling habit. Here's the site for the basic game. Again, in the Philippines we used 16 tiles instead of 13.

https://www.mahjongtime.com/hong-kong-mahjong-rules-2.html

Here's some common but harder combination and levels of play for the advance players. 7 Pairs ( 16 tiles ), all Pung, all Chow, Pure ( all same suits), Placis ( one suit with winds), Escalera (1 to 9 meld of same suit) and many other variations especially with a joker. A joker is a universal tile that can be used for any tile. Playing with a joker makes the game faster, so in many places harder levels and combination is the name of the Game.   

Meanwhile, enjoy this photo of my Christmas tree this year

    

Celebrate New Year by Playing Mahjong?

Have you heard of the tile game mahjong? I associate the word mahjong with the following: childhood and teenage years, my mother, addiction and relatives and Barotac Viejo, Iloilo. How about you? If you are not going out, I suggest play mahjong to celebrate your New Year's eve.
A Mahjong Set

I learned this tile game when I was a child. It is mostly a game of luck, once you learned the basics of the game. This tile game is similar to the card game, gin rummy, but played with tiles. It is a game that most Filipina housewives are addicted to. I am sure if you reside in the Philippines or Hongkong, this game must be very familiar to you. You may be even addicted to it.

My mother taught me as well as my brothers and sisters how to play mahjong when we were growing up in the Philippines. We have two mahjong sets in the house. The cheap one was made of plastic which we used quite often and the expensive one made of ivory. The one made of ivory, we only used on special occasion when we celebrate birthdays, weddings and other special events when I was growing up in the Philippines.

According to my mother, I started playing mahjong very well when I was only 5 years old. It is a game of luck with a little skill involve once you learn the basics. I also learned how to play a card game called "Pangingue" in the Philippines, probably similar to pinochle, but different from gin rummy. Mahjong can be played on line or you can buy a disk and play it in your computer.

I have a disk (Hongkong mahjong) in my computer, but it has been a while since I played this game. Mahjong like any gambling game is very addictive. I have heard that a close relatives in the Philippines died of tuberculosis(TV) because he played mahjong almost all day and do nothing else. Unbelievable,if this is true.

Mahjong rules and specifics varies from region to region in the Philippines, but it is still a favorite past time of the middle class in the Philippines. A lot of Filipina housewives are addicted to mahjong. Besides mahjong there are two card games popular in Marinduque and other parts of the Philippines are PIKWA and TONG-IT. A number of housewives in my neighborhood in Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque play Tong-it every afternoon, both for recreation and a little gambling activity. We play Tong-it during a party break as a family game but no betting involved, when we are in Marinduque.

For rules and instruction how to play Mahjong read Wikipedia or ask a friend or relative for a demonstration. Once you learned the game, be careful it could be very, very addictive. But again, it is an excellent way to get rid of your boredom and the long, long hot summer in the Philippines. Here's a summary of the game from Wikipedia.org

"Mahjong, also spelled majiang, mah jongg, and numerous other variants, is a game that originated in China. It is commonly played by four players (with some three-player variations found in South Korea and Japan). The game and its regional variants are widely played throughout Eastern and South Eastern Asia and have a small following in Western countries. Similar to the Western card game rummy, mahjong is a game of skill, strategy, and calculation and involves a degree of chance.

The game is played with a set of 144 tiles based on Chinese characters and symbols, although some regional variations use a different number of tiles. In most variations, each player begins by receiving 13 tiles.(In Iloilo we used 16 tiles) In turn players draw and discard tiles until they complete a legal hand using the 14th drawn tile to form four groups (melds) and a pair (head). There are fairly standard rules about how a piece is drawn, stolen from another player and thus melded, the use of simples (numbered tiles) and honors (winds and dragons), the kinds of melds, and the order of dealing and play. However there are many regional variations in the rules; in addition, the scoring system and the minimum hand necessary to win varies significantly based on the local rules being used".

So my dear friends and relatives, if you have nothing else to do this new year why not play mahjong?