Chinatown society offers Mahjong experience for new players

A Chinatown group has organized a drop-in event to teach newcomers how to play Mahjong.

The Mah Society of Edmonton hosted their first Learn To Play Mahjong night of the year on Jan. 3. Organizers said the night is filled with beginners and veteran players across many generations teaching people willing to learn while catching up with old friends.

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Gene Mah, the president of the Mah Society of Edmonton, told CTV News Edmonton on Friday anyone is welcome to learn how to play the 19th-century game.

"(It's) what our elders used to do," said Gene. "We've had a lot of people from a wide variety of the communities in Edmonton come and see the event."

Aside from a fun night, the drop-in event also provides visitors with a closer look at Chinatown's offerings.

"We're trying to help reinvigorate Chinatown, and we believe (that) this activity twice a month … (will help) bring people into the downtown core and help them realize that Chinatown still exists, the downtown core still exists, and try to help revitalize that part," he added.

Mahjong players shuffling tiles before a game on Jan. 4, 2025. (Galen McDougall/CTV News Edmonton)Amanda Mah, a Mahjong night participant, said "there's space for young people in the game."

"That's what the Learn To Play nights are all about … I've been playing with people across generations, so folks that are my parents' age and my grandparents' age, as well as folks that are my age," Amanda said.

"I brought a friend recently. She was really nervous …. Afterwards, she kind of reflected on it (and said) 'I had a great time, even as a beginner,'" she added.

She said even though sometimes newcomers can "get thrown in the deep-end" when learning to play, the event is a great way to learn more about the community.

A pile of various Mahjong tiles. (Galen McDougall/CTV News Edmonton)William Lau, a Chinatown volunteer, said people mistake Chinatown as only a destination for good places to eat. He said making events accessible to the public is a great way to "build community."

"Those of us that work in Chinatown are always looking for reasons to bring people back over and over again," said Lau.

"This event is one way that we can open up very regular everyday activities to the public to drop in and get to learn about the community one bit at a time."

On top of learning a new game, the event often has a spread of food prepared by community members who want to contribute authentic dishes for attendees.

"(It's) quite magical … our uncles and aunties here take so much pleasure and find so much patience in helping young ones along this journey."

The Learn to Play Mahjong night happens twice a month at 9643 101A Ave. starting at 6 p.m. and will stay open until everyone has had their fill.

For more information, visit the Mah Society of Edmonton's Facebook page.