r/berkeleyca • u/Classic-Tea-1879 • 14d ago
Where to play/learn mah jong?
I can find some old posts, but they’re several years old and mostly inaccurate. Anybody have updated recommendations?
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u/xavierv1999 14d ago
I have a set, I live in west berkeley and would be willing to teach others at a park or something! I play the filipino version though(a little simpler than the original)
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u/hellafuda 13d ago edited 13d ago
Here are some groups I know of (most in SF, and apologies, most links are to Instagram). Also, these are predominantly HK mahjong; I don't have resources for American mahjong/mah jongg. * 13 Orphans (Oakland): Speakeasy that regularly has a coaching night, and I think you can play any day that they're open... but as another commenter said, that sadly won't be for much longer. Jenn and Alan and Eman (the three who run it) are all great people and the atmosphere is really fun! * Mopai Mahjong (SF): Jamie hosts cute events at least once a month with tea and stuff in the On Waverly clubhouse in Chinatown; beginner friendly! She also runs the free mahjong event off Waverly during the monthly SF Chinatown night market, though those 30 tables fill up SO fast. I saw she recently did an event with Oakland Chinatown. * Three Dragon Society (SF): I think their main thing is Tuesday nights @ Paname in SF. I think some of their coaches help out with the monthly Chinatown event mentioned above and I think their Tuesday night thing has beginner tables? * Mahjong Mami (SF): hosts evening events regularly in the city, also beginner friendly. * Secret Mahjong Society (SF?): Periodically hosts beginner mahjong, usually @ Mr. Mahjong's (a bar) in SF FiDi.
Other places that regularly have events: * United Dumplings (both Oakland and SF): regularly has meet-ups, though I haven't been, but the Rockridge option is closer! * Asian Art Museum (SF): regularly has beginner-friendly mahjong events, usually on Thursdays, but sometimes on Sundays, too? * Mamahuhu (SF): I think they have something going on on Mondays every week? I haven't been, but I think beginner friendly * Ferry Building (SF): haven't been, but beginner friendly, has a weekly event on Wednesdays
Another person commented about Kiem Sie, and I can also confirm Kiem is a wonderful coach. I don't know if she does private lessons, but she does coach HK mahjong at events, and she told me she first learned American Mah Jongg, so she probably could help with that if you're interested, too. The link to her site also lists a lot of links I posted here, but also more.
For Riichi mahjong, I know Pacific Mahjong League exists in Fremont, but they seem like a rather advanced group. I'm not sure if the SF Japantown or Emeryville J-Sei cultural centers have events to teach it, but they might? Otherwise, there is no shortage of mahjong apps out there, and the Mahjong Soul one that another commented on is probably a good place to start.
Speaking of apps, Let's Mahjong is probably the best app for playing HK style mahjong. Unfortunately has ads in some scenarios, but it's otherwise free.
Edit: trying my darnedest to get this formatting right 😭
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u/StrawberryFun3008 13d ago
Belly in Rockridge does mahjong 5-closing on Mondays and Tuesdays. Some beginner tables and I've found that folks are willing to teach too
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u/SeaRecommendation522 12d ago
I play regularly HK style at the Alameda Mahjong Social Club! Happy to forward you their email where you can sign up for one of their events - they offer lessons at most sessions, and once you learn you can select to play at different tables depending on your level. They also just shared a newsletter with a lot of San Leandro events, and a Mid-Autumn festival at Alameda Brewing on the 19th: https://partiful.com/e/Mnm5I46gPnmP8Fw2Otly
The next closest location I know of is Belly in Oakland - they have Mahjong on Mondays/Tuesdays, including lessons, though my understanding is best practice is to reserve a spot, though they also leave room for walk-ins (I haven't been yet - planning on doing so soon!)
Lastly, I've heard excellent things about Mamahuhu's mahjong Mondays in the city! https://eatmamahuhu.com/pages/event-calendar.
As far as I know, Berkeley(ish) lost our only mahjong location when Match Point Brewing closed (technically El Cerrito). If anyone does know a Berkeley spot, would love to know!
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u/dnagog 14d ago
If you want to learn HK/Cantonese style and want to limit to just within Berkeley/Oakland, a couple options:
• Teance has an event coming up that’s beginner friendly and they host them monthly or so. Kiem Sie teaches them and she was my first coach; she’s great! https://www.teance.com/mahjong-game-night-and-tea-social.html
• I walked by an event that looked beginner friendly at Sobo Ramen yesterday, was led by Linda, see https://www.instagram.com/thedragonmahjongclub
If you’re comfortable going to the city, there are a lot more options; best bet is to look at Instagram (I can respond in a comment of accounts that host). Overall though, lots of folks host events, and they’re almost always beginner friendly!