Mahjong, the timeless tile game that has captivated China for more than a century, is now spreading across the United States, captivating players, inspiring adaptations, and fostering community and understanding as it gains popularity as a beloved pastime.

The game originated in China about 150 years ago. Its rules are reminiscent of gin rummy, played with tiles instead of cards. Since its introduction to the U.S. in the early 1920s, it has made notable appearances in films and become popular in households and clubs, marking the onset of a global mahjong trend.
"My grandfather was like the mahjong master, similar to a lot of households. My experience was, I'm sure, echoed by a lot of other second-generation Asian kids, like sitting on the kitchen floor watching the adults play mahjong," said Andrew Lo, founder of the Sparrow Room, a mahjong parlor in Arlington, Virginia.
In contrast to the clubs, hearts, diamonds, and spades found in standard playing cards, mahjong tiles are categorized into suits known as dots [circles], bams [bamboo], and craks [characters]. Depending which variation is played, additional tiles such as wind, dragon, flower, and joker tiles may also be used.
Traditional Chinese mahjong sets consist of 144 tiles, while the American version incorporates an additional eight joker tiles and score cards. Non-profit organizations like the National Mahjong League publish score cards annually, enhancing the gameplay experience.
Mahjong first gained popularity among Jewish-Americans before making its way onto the big screen. It made notable appearances in successful films featuring Asian-Americans, such as "The Joy Luck Club" in 1993. In 2018, the romantic comedy "Crazy Rich Asians" showed a pivotal scene that included mahjong. This elevated the game's prominence and added to its cultural significance in popular media.
"These awesome casts of characters dressed in awesome clothes, playing mahjong in such a beautiful room, doing it with such swagger, it was definitely the beginning of the mahjong trend and the mahjong wave," Lo said.
The mahjong wave has drawn in a group of retirees to Lo's parlor, who gather every week for a lively meetup. In this gathering, they become both friends and foes, engaging in friendly competition and camaraderie.
"Where people feel safe to engage and to learn is the larger goal, and the small steps we need to take to create a more equitable and understanding community," he said.