The Dispatch

Prim reads everything from the world of American Mahjong, so you don't have to.

Volume 2026  

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For Beginners

A six week beginner course sets up on Tuesday evenings in Branford

Branford Parks and Recreation adds a fall beginner course alongside its players clubs, and the League card is required.

Branford Parks, Recreation and Senior Services in Connecticut lists Beginner Mahjong Lessons on Tuesdays from October 6 through November 10, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Joseph Trapasso Community House (Matthew Brady Library, second floor). The instructor is Elizabeth Santoro.

The town describes it as a six week course covering game basics such as set up, play and strategies. The fee is $70 for residents and $80 for non-residents, sets are provided, and students need the current National Mah Jongg League card, which the listing links to for purchase.

The course sits beside the department's intermediate and advanced players clubs, which run Tuesday days and Wednesday evenings through December for players who already own a card.

Prim's view: six weeks is a kind pace for learning the Charleston and the card without rushing either.

Read more at Branford Parks, Recreation and Senior Services →

More from the table

For Beginners

A free Monday table for newcomers opens in Exeter, New Hampshire

The town recreation department starts American Mahjong on Mondays in late October, with resident sign-ups opening September 30.

September 22, 2026 · Town of Exeter, NH

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The Surge

Libraries and a JCC make room for the tiles across the Capital Region

A regional paper finds open play filling rooms from Albany to East Greenbush, with one library able to seat only a third of its players at a time.

September 22, 2026 · The Daily Gazette

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Set Your Rack

A one-day tournament comes to Johns Creek on October 11

The second annual MAHJ-O-RAMA is a five-round American mah jongg tournament, with part of every entry going to the Lymphoma Research Foundation.

September 21, 2026 · Mah Jongg Maven

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Set Your Rack

A night of tiles for families of sick children in Brentwood

The Mahjong Club in Brentwood, Tennessee hosts a Mahjong Mingle on Thursday, October 1, raising money for the Forrest Spence Fund.

September 21, 2026 · Williamson Source

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On the Card

A continuing education catalog teaches League rules over four sessions in Columbia

The University of South Carolina lists a four session mahjong course in October, taught to National Mah Jongg League rules, with a morning and an afternoon option.

September 20, 2026 · University of South Carolina Continuing Education

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For Beginners

A university puts a six week mahjong course on the fall calendar in Kennesaw

Kennesaw State University's continuing education arm lists a six week American mahjong course beginning October 7, meeting Wednesday afternoons at the KSU Center.

September 20, 2026 · KSU Community and Professional Education

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At the Table

A Sunday afternoon of tiles raises money for medically complex kids in Richmond

Better2gether and a local teaching studio host Mahjong for a Cause on September 27, and every skill level is invited.

September 19, 2026 · 12 On Your Side

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The Archive

Browse past dispatches by day. Tap a lit date to read that day's stories.

Browse the full Dispatch archive →

From the screen to the table

Saw the movie?

Hallmark's All's Fair in Love & Mahjong put the game on screen. If it sent you looking for the real thing, Prim wrote you a place to start.

Learn the real game →