How it will work
How Mahjong Open Play will work
Mahjong Open Play hosts American Mahjong afternoons by reservation at partner cafes. Coming to Indian Shores on Florida's Gulf Coast. Here is exactly what to expect, including prices and our cancellation policy.
What a session is like
Each session lasts about two hours, on Wednesdays, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. You reserve ahead, arrive, check in with your host, and sit down at a table of four with tiles, racks, and pushers ready to go. You play American Mahjong with your own current year National Mah Jongg League card, with the Charleston, jokers, and all.
One booking covers 1 to 4 seats. Groups can choose to stay together at one table. Bringing more than four? Reserve a second table, and your host will seat your tables near each other.
Open play is for players who already know how to play, including the Charleston. New to the game? Start with A Taste of Mahjong, see below.
Everything You Need Is Provided
Just reserve and bring your card
Tiles, racks, and a helpful host are all provided. Our welcoming, knowledgeable hosts get you to the right table for your level and keep the practicing-level tables moving.
Enjoy a latte, compliments of Voilà-Merci. Arrive 15 minutes early to get your welcome latte and get seated.
Reserve 1, 2, 3, or 4 seats
However many seats you need, we've got you covered!
- 1 seat
- 2 seats
- 3 seats
- 4 seats
Coming on your own?
We will seat you with friendly players at your level.
Coming with friends?
Choose Keep our group together when you book and we will seat you at one table.
Bringing more than four? Reserve a second table and we will seat you near each other.
Tiles and racksFull sets are supplied.
A reserved tableReady when you arrive.
A welcoming hostSeats everyone and keeps play moving.
A hot or iced latteCompliments of Voilà-Merci!
Bring your own current-year NMJL card
Every player brings their own official National Mah Jongg League card. Buying it supports the League that keeps American Mahjong going. We keep a couple of extras just in case.
Easier to read at the table$15
Tell us your level
That is how we build your table
Open play is for people who already know how to play: the rules, the Charleston, and how to read the card. We seat similar players together so everyone enjoys the game. Reserving with friends? Ask to sit together in our booking tool and we will keep your group at one table.
- 1Practicing
I know the rules and the Charleston. I am still building speed and confidence while checking the card often. - 2Comfortable
I play regularly. I know the card and basic strategy, and I keep a steady pace. - 3Seasoned
I play often and quickly. I know the card well and play to win.
Open play is for people who already know how to play American Mahjong, including the Charleston. Still learning the basics? Try A Taste of Mahjong.
Classes
New to American Mahjong or need a refresher? Start with a class.
A Taste of Mahjong
Learn enough to start playing.
An introductory American Mahjong class taught by Master Your Mahjong.
- Hands-onMade for people who have never played American Mahjong.
- Mahjong Made SimpleGaia's step by step approach to learning the game.
- The official rulesFollows National Mah Jongg League rules, starting from a simplified card.
Next class
Monday, Nov 2
11:30 am to 1:30 pm
$40 per person
A Taste of Mahjong, by Master Your Mahjong. 12 of 12 seats left.
Bonus: a free Open Play session. See details
Enjoy a latte, compliments of Voilà-Merci. Arrive 15 minutes early to get your welcome latte and get seated.
Reserve a seatTiles in front of you in the first 10 minutes, not a lecture.
What we'll cover
- The tilesThe suits, and what all those little pictures mean.
- The cardHow to read a simplified mahjong card.
- The CharlestonHow it starts, the famous tile swap at the beginning of every game.
- Hosted Practice PlayWith Master Your Mahjong and then your hosts, preparing you for Open Play.
You will leave knowing the basics, ready to start playing and improving each time you play.
After A Taste of Mahjong you are welcome at regular open play, where our hosts will help keep the game moving. The only way the rules will truly click into place is to play again soon and often.
Open Play Prices
Reserve ahead and save
Prices are shown before sales tax, which is added at checkout.
Reserve a seat
Come on your own. Your host seats you with friendly players at your level.
$20plus sales tax
Seat guaranteed
Enjoy a latte,
compliments of Voilà-Merci
Reserve a table
For your group, so you sit together. $18.75 a seat.
$75plus sales tax
Online only
Enjoy a latte,
compliments of Voilà-Merci
Walk-up at the door
Only if a seat is open. Reserve online and your seat is guaranteed, for $5 less.
$25plus sales tax
Seat not guaranteed
Enjoy a latte,
compliments of Voilà-Merci
Class Prices
New to the game? Start here
One price for the class, with no sales tax on class instruction.
A Taste of Mahjong
An introductory class by Master Your Mahjong. Tiles in your hands in the first 10 minutes, no experience needed.
$40per person, no sales tax
Tiles and racks provided
Enjoy a latte,
compliments of Voilà-Merci
Rewards
Pay and Play 10, the 11th is on us
Every open play seat you play earns a punch on your digital card.
Every open play seat you play earns the person who paid one punch. After 10 punches, your 11th seat is free. Classes do not earn punches.
Cancellations and credits
Our cancellation and credit policy, in plain words
- Cancel at least 12 hours before your session and you receive a session credit to use another day. This applies whether you paid by card, used a pack credit, or used a reward.
- Cancel later than that and your seat is released. You receive a credit only if another player pays for a seat in that session, online or at the door, and we email you either way. If no one does, there is no credit and the seat does not earn a punch.
- Classes need an earlier cutoff. A class needs at least 8 players to run, so cancel at least 48 hours before a class to receive a class credit for a future class.
- Reserved a table? Individual seats can be cancelled under the same rules, and the rest of your group keeps the table.
- Missed sessions without cancelling do not receive a credit or a punch. Punches are earned by playing. If you have not checked in 15 minutes after the start, your seat may be given to a walk-up.
- Credits cover one seat each, with no sales tax to pay on it: an open play credit pays for an open play seat, and a class credit pays for a class seat. Sign in to your account, and your credits are used first when you reserve. Details on credit terms are coming soon.
- Sales tax is added at checkout. Prices on this site are shown before tax.
Full details are in our Terms. Questions? Email info@MahjongOpenPlay.com.