At the Table with HopToi Mahjong

Someone make sure Astrid is coming back because we have THOUGHTS about the new Crazy Rich Asians show.

This week on At the Table, we're talking Bravo, how Susan somehow knows everything happening in politics but absolutely nothing happening in pop culture, and, of course, all things Mahjong.

Catherine will probably get herself in trouble again this episode, but at this point, would it even be At the Table if she didn't?

A little Bravo gossip, a lot of Mahjong, and absolutely no guarantee we stay on topic. Just how we like it.

This week on At the Table with HopToi Mahjong, we're sitting down with Gladys Grad, the OG disruptor of American Mahjong!

Long before Mahjong became everyone's favorite obsession, Gladys was shaking things up. From organizing massive tournaments and cruises to creating Siamese Mahjong, she's spent decades finding new ways to play the game we love.

We talk about her fascinating history in the Mahjong world, her experiences running huge tournaments for the National Mah Jongg League, how Siamese Mahjong came to be, and, of course, her latest creation: Black Dragons!

Why do we need another dragon? What's the deal with the stickers? And are we really supposed to put them on our very expensive tiles?

Whether you're a longtime player, curious about Siamese Mahjong, or just love a little Mahjong history, Gladys has stories you won't want to miss.

Want to learn more about Siamese Mahjong or find Gladys?

Visit mahjongg.org for Siamese Mahjong rules, cards, resources, and more.

Follow At the Table with HopToi Mahjong for more conversations, Mahjong opinions, and a little table talk.

This week at the table, we’re getting into the Black Dragon controversy. We’re also asking where the heck all the tiles we ordered are and wondering if everyone is getting filler or if something else is going on.

Then Aaron Rodgers enters the chat. We get into the kiss-and-tell chatter and why we think a man who kisses and tells is decidedly un-chic. Susan couldn’t chat with us this week, so unfortunately no one at the table could explain exactly what he’s famous for in the sports world.

Missing tiles, filler, kiss-and-telling, and entirely too many opinions. Just another day at the table.

The Mahjong table has entered its accessory era. 😂

This week, we’re talking dice dishes, Joker Jail, and why Mahjong mats are suddenly the thing everyone needs on their table. Cathy also shares the story behind her incredible antique Mahjong set she found in California, and of course, we get into the things that make Mahjong tables just a little more fun, fabulous, and personal.

Because apparently, playing Mahjong isn’t enough. We also need the perfect accessories.

Pull up a chair and join us at the table!

We’re talking about one of our favorite things: MAHJONG TILES, RACKS, MATS. From vintage beauties and hand-painted sets to quirky designs and tiles with a story, we’re sharing all the sets we love, the ones we’re dying to get our hands on, and what makes a set truly special. Consider this your permission to have a serious tile obsession.

We have a mystery guest at the table, and he’s here to make the case for why more men should be playing American Mahjong. He went from self-proclaimed Mahjong Widow to what he calls North America’s Best Male-Jong Player. 😂

We get his take on why guys should play, what he’s learned from the ladies, and whether he can actually back up those Male-Jong credentials. Plus, he answers our completely unqualified, totally random “Dr. Questions” and somehow survives the experience.

It’s Mahjong, men, questionable medical advice, and a whole lot of laughs.

This week we're covering all the mahjong chatter that's been filling our group texts. We dive into the latest tile drops, debate whether getting on the Crisloid waiting list is really worth it, and Susan is back with another edition of Sports Minute. Then we tackle a question we promise is all in good fun: Should men be profiting off mahjong? (Relax... we're kidding. Everyone is welcome at our table.)

Pour yourself a drink, shuffle those tiles, and join us for plenty of laughs, a few opinions, and maybe even a hot take or two.

This week, we're tackling one of the biggest etiquette questions in mahjong: Should players be able to make up their own table rules at public events? What happens when someone starts telling beginners to play by their rules instead of the rules everyone signed up for? We share our thoughts on handling these situations while keeping the game welcoming for everyone.

Plus, we're celebrating Catherine's birthday, Susan is counting down the days until football season is back (finally!), and Lauren shares her controversial opinion that everyone should just play with the NMJL card. Agree? Disagree? We know you'll have thoughts.

Grab your favorite drink, pull up a chair, and join us for laughs, mahjong chatter, and a little friendly debate.

We're back from our summer adventures and catching up on all things mahjong, travel, and life. We chat about sister fights (because are you even sisters if you don't occasionally fight?), share what's new in the mahjong world, and, after binge-watching Nobody Wants This, Lauren has an unexpected realization... Catherine is a shiksa, which, according to Lauren's understanding, is a hot blonde who's married to a Jewish man. Tune in to find out if she's right.

What happens when a group of Mahjong players with completely different opinions sits down at the same table?

This podcast is proof that you don't have to agree on everything to enjoy each other's company.

We're from all corners of the spectrum; different political views, different food preferences, different wellness philosophies, different backgrounds, and definitely different opinions on just about everything. One of us is trying the latest health trend while another thinks it's ridiculous. One loves bone broth, another won't touch a dead cow. We debate, we laugh, we occasionally roll our eyes.

But then we sit down at the Mahjong table.

And somehow, all those differences become part of the fun.

Join us for lively conversations about Mahjong, life, friendships, trends, culture, and the things we agree, and disagree, on. We'll share stories from around the table, discuss the latest in the Mahjong world, and prove that friendly debate and genuine connection can still exist in a world that often feels divided.

Because at the end of the day, we may not agree on politics, wellness trends, food, fashion, or much else...

But we do agree on Mahj.

Come for the opinions. Stay for the Mahjong. And remember: it's all love, until someone steals your joker. 🀄💕

This week on At the Table with SWFL Mahjong, we’re saying what everyone is thinking: some fashion trends need to stay in the group chat. We’re talking the styles we just can’t get behind, the mahjong tiles we are absolutely DYING to get our hands on, and the emotional rollercoaster of being stuck in a mahjong winning drought.

From questionable outfits to joker dreams and table superstitions, this episode is equal parts mahj talk, hot takes, and chaotic best-friend energy. So grab your coffee, shuffle the tiles, and join us at the table.

This week we chat new mahjong tile drop drama, mystery illnesses, questionable dairy choices, and a deep dive into Susan’s horse girl past.

Spring is still attacking Susan (or maybe it’s a sinus infection — the jury is out). Thankfully Dr. Catherine steps in with her completely official medical opinion on what’s going on and why cottage cheese absolutely should not be trusted.

Plus, Susan shares her insider perspective on the Kentucky Derby, what it was like growing up a full-fledged horse girl.

Come for the girls weekend chaos, stay for the medical advice you probably shouldn’t follow and the Derby energy you didn’t know you needed.

This week on the podcast we’re sharing highlights from our girls weekend in beautiful Cashiers, North Carolina with the girls from Mahj in the City, the same crew behind the Bambird Scramble League!

Mahj in the City brought players together for a fun mahjong filled weekend centered around open play, connection, and community, and High Hampton was the perfect mountain setting for it all. Between the cozy lodge spaces, incredible views, and nonstop games, it was such a special weekend at the tables.

We’re sharing favorite moments from the trip, a little mahj table drama, and why mahj getaways like this are so much fun.

In this episode Lauren calls mahj… and it was not mahj. Catherine is absolutely thrilled, and we’re breaking down how the wrong dragons made it happen and why checking your hand matters more than you think. Plus a little Mahj Lore 101 as we cover the Unger family and somehow end up discussing Khloé and Lamar drama too. Strategy, etiquette, and classic table talk all in one episode.

This week we’re covering the Masters, how we met and clearing up one very important Mahjong misconception:
they’re not blanks… they’re replacement tiles.

If you’ve ever wondered how replacement tiles work in American Mahjong or felt confused as a beginner learning Mahjong tiles, we explain it in a simple, friendly way.

Somewhere along the way we also discuss what happens if aliens take Catherine and why they’ll have to come get her.

Whether you’re brand new and trying to learn Mahjong, or already deep in your tile era, this episode is part origin story, part Mahjong myth-busting, and part completely unserious contingency planning.

Grab your tiles, pick your Masters favorites, and come hang with us.

In this episode, we’re talking about a question that’s been coming up a lot lately in the mahjong world and beyond: are we too quick to tear down women who are doing well?

We share our thoughts following the recent conversation around Oh My Mahjong and explore what it really means to support other women—especially in growing communities like mahjong.

Then we get into another classic debate: are you more comfortable with guys or girls? (According to Lauren… there’s only one right answer.) We talk about being a girls’ girl, building strong tables, and why women supporting women matters more than ever.

We’re also joined by the sweet and seriously cool Giuliana Sisk of Palm Beach Mahjong to chat about her mahjong community, friendship at the table, and the Palm Beach mahj scene.

Giuliana will also be our special guest at Marissa Collections on April 6, and we can’t wait to play together in person!

If you love mahjong, thoughtful conversation, and a little red-flag energy along the way… this episode’s for you.

New card season is officially here and we’re already spiraling. Do you memorize it immediately like it’s your full-time job, or take the slow-and-steady approach and let it come to you over the year? We’re debating both strategies and exposing which camp we fall into.

Then we pivot into main character energy - when it’s empowering, when it’s delusional, and why maybe your kids shouldn’t always be the main character in your story. Inspired by the new show Madison, we get into the fine line between giving your kids everything… and giving them too much.

And of course, we had to discuss the latest Bachelorette chaos because what is going on?? We break down the drama, the decisions, and the secondhand embarrassment we cannot look away from.

Mahjong, mindset, parenting hot takes, and reality TV, exactly what you signed up for.

Mahjong players all have their superstitions… and we are no exception. In this episode we dive into the little rituals, beliefs, and downright paranoia that show up at the mahjong table. Are the tiles sentient? Do they punish you if you complain about your hand?

We also discuss the one thing every mahjong player is currently obsessing over: the upcoming 2026 NMJL card. Are we calmly waiting? Absolutely not.

Plus, we go down a rabbit hole about Love Story, the lore around JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and whether this whole story we heard could possibly be real.

Mahjong superstition, pop culture tangents, and the eternal question: are the tiles actually listening?

This week we say goodbye to sweet Fern Berstein of the Mahjong Mondays podcast, honoring the light she brought to the mahjong community and the friendships built around the table.

We break down the Bridgerton finale, and yes, we are still convinced Benedict’s perfect match was the tall, dark, handsome man from episode one. Sorry, Sofie.

We talk about why apologizing to your friends matters, because repair builds stronger relationships than pride ever will.

And finally, should we all pick a lane in traffic and in life, or can we be like Benedict and occupy them all?

Grief, gossip, growth, and a little chaos.

This episode is a little bit literature, a little bit mahj, and very much superstition coded. We’re talking Wuthering Heights, adjusting your Mahjong expectations as a beginner, and most importantly the Year of the Fire Horse. We break down what this powerful and slightly dramatic year means and what not to do and not do for luck, beginning on the Chinese New Year, February 17th.

Fair warning, our audio is a little wonky this episode. Please don’t judge. We’re just three girls doing our best 🔥🐎🍜