The Mahj Salon

Jenn and Cathy talk about the awkward side of Mahjong friendships: not getting invited, seeing the photos later, wondering whether you are too slow, too serious, too busy, or simply forgotten. They unpack hurt feelings, communication, advanced play, private games, and the power of starting your own table.

Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie, order "Groan Stones," or a cameo for the Mahj player in your life: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/793859083054812/

See Cathy's mat is from Bird and Bamboo here!

See the tiles we talked about here!

Key Takeaways

1. Mahjong can bring back old social anxieties when you learn about a game, private group, or advanced session you were not invited to join.

2. Hurt feelings are real, but the reason for an exclusion may be limited space, a different pace of play, assumptions about someone’s availability, or a group seeking a specific style of game.

3. Direct but respectful communication can clear up misunderstandings, reduce resentment, and preserve friendships that might otherwise suffer in silence.

4. Organizers can better serve growing Mahjong communities by offering beginner, intermediate, advanced, and all-level sessions so players can choose the experience that fits them.

5. You do not need an invitation to belong. Find a table that works for you, or create one and invite the people you want to play with.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Houston native Avery Herring of Herring House joins Jenn and Cathy to talk her new Houston-inspired Mahjong set. From blue herons and Heights street tiles to Houston landmarks, neighborhood pride, licensing headaches, and the challenge of making a city feel like home in 160 tiles.

Get on the wait list for Avery's Houston tiles: https://www.herringhouse.co/houston-mahjong

The racks we talked about: https://a.co/d/01iAOkHdhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1M6HQ8M?lv=shuf&rsd=s65Vj61O4NVj7HnmS8tjwGVHR8Y9vW4hAcB8SROtgzdHTxxxU3JALfcjjDHHaOGhsLsy9dZdhsd%2FaUtctkfVK%2BUQHf9WXT9%2FrUsFftqNipjoaFSn&edk=AQIDAHi1lw%2FM8UbbSMD9ScOOFEmBMHMthHeEhqDaQYPJUAX3jQEHnScSJwFsv07tmJ8IgY9LAAAAfjB8BgkqhkiG9w0BBwagbzBtAgEAMGgGCSqGSIb3DQEHATAeBglghkgBZQMEAS4wEQQMgrY9rmOdtJXVePKmAgEQgDvEXVZc6aoDxNIAxjwY45yFotOm6Uwbv0inrzuRXO6%2FNkqzqpA2q0RS953ojfvIA4zCsXhRI1zCLwjMpw%3D%3D&social_share=cm_sw_r_cso_sms_apin_dp_1CJ92TY9SWJF8EMYGZDB_1&channelId=704&ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_sms_apin_dp_1CJ92TY9SWJF8EMYGZDB_1&plpRedirect=mhFallback&th=1

Avery's mat comes from Oh My Mahjong: https://ohmymahjong.com/

Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie, order "Groan Stones," or a cameo for the Mahj player in your life: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/793859083054812/

Key Takeaways

1. Avery Herring created Herring House after searching for a Houston Mahjong set and realizing the city did not have one that captured the details she wanted.

2. The set will feature Houston-inspired designs including blue herons, stars, cattails, Texas wildflowers, Heights mosaic street tiles, neighborhood references, and landmark-themed jokers.

3. Herring House had to balance creative ideas with readability, making sure the tiles feel specific to Houston while remaining easy to identify during play.

4. Licensing restrictions limited some obvious Houston references, especially NASA and other protected local icons, which pushed Avery and Clay to find more original design solutions.

5. Herring House plans to grow beyond tile sets with local hosting gifts, paper goods, and community-focused products designed for Houstonians and anyone with a Houston connection.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mahjong champion Dave Moussa and Nancy Dubner join Jenn and Cathy after Vegas to talk 700 points, defensive play, tournament nerves, and the dating requirement that started it all. Plus, East-seat advantages, table manners, and their Half Moon Bay tournaments.

Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie, order "Groan Stones," or a cameo for the Mahj player in your life: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/793859083054812/

Key Takeaways

1. Dave’s championship run included a rough afternoon, a strong final day, and 700 total points. He focused on steady results rather than letting a bad stretch decide the rest of his tournament.

2. Defense mattered. Dave says he threw an opponent’s winning tile only once, costing him 10 points, compared with past tournaments where those penalties had cost him more than 100.

3. Dave learned Mahjong after Nancy made it a condition of dating her. More consistent play during COVID helped him develop, and tournaments eventually became a regular part of their travel together.

4. The group debates whether a fixed East seat creates an advantage because East players avoid facing one another. They discuss rotating everyone or holding a tournament specifically for Easts and past winners.

5. Nancy and Dave want their Half Moon Bay tournaments to give players a welcoming entry into competition. Their approach combines clear expectations, calling an organizer for disputes, and some grace for inexperienced players.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Shemesh of The Mahj Lounge joins Jenn and Cathy to talk collectible Mahjong sets inspired by iconic decades. From peace signs and lava lamps to poodle skirts, disco dancers, and 80s Art Deco, Jamie shares how nostalgia, design, and careful research turn history into tiles.

Connect with Jamie's Mahj Lounge: https://mymahjlounge.com/

Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie, order "Groan Stones," or a cameo for the Mahj player in your life: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/793859083054812/

Key Takeaways

1. Jamie’s Play the Past collection turns iconic decades into collectible Mahjong sets, beginning with the bright, bold, and unmistakably groovy 1960s Far Out Edition.

2. The 1960s set includes peace-sign dots, lava-lamp one bams, guitar cracks, flower-power flowers, cool-cat jokers, and textured tile backs designed to feel as memorable as the fronts.

3. Jamie researches each decade carefully, using recognizable cultural details while avoiding designs that would make the tiles difficult to read during an actual game.

4. Copyright and trademark rules shape every set. Familiar images, logos, characters, and phrases may be unavailable without licensing, so original interpretation matters.

5. Upcoming sets include a 1950s collection with records, French fries, and retro diner energy, followed by a 1970s Disco Edition and an 80s set inspired by the era’s Miami-style Art Deco revival.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jenn and Cathy talk about men in Mahjong after a male player was welcomed into an open group, then quietly left out. They discuss women-only games, public play, inclusion, golf-club double standards, and why a seat at the Mahjong table should not depend on gender.

Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie, order "Groan Stones," or a cameo for the Mahj player in your life: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/793859083054812/

Tiles we talked about: Lightweight 3D-printed American-theme Mahjong tile set, including a dice holder and dice (https://www.litemahj.com/)

Today's mat: Custom leather Mahjong mat embossed with “Moxie” (https://www.circlepleather.com/collections/mahjong-mats-accessories)

Key Takeaways

1. More men are joining American Mahjong because the game offers strategy, competition, bluffing, social connection, and a lot more than the old stereotype of a ladies’ game.

2. Private groups can set their own boundaries, but excluding a player from an open public event after inviting them creates an uncomfortable and confusing experience.

3. Women-only games can provide a space for friendship, privacy, and conversation, especially in a private-home setting where everyone understands the group’s purpose.

4. Public Mahjong communities grow stronger when players welcome people with different backgrounds, personalities, genders, ages, and styles of play.

5. Choosing to sit with players who are different from you can expand your Mahjong skills, your perspective, and the community that makes the game worth playing.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheryl Rue-Borden joins Jenn and Cathy to explain how a dispensary grand opening, a lifelong love of Mahjong, and medical cannabis advocacy became Mahjong Bong. They talk ADHD, adult cannabis culture, responsible use, rules, laughter, luxury game design, and starting business number twelve.

Connect with MahJongg Bong (https://www.facebook.com/mahjonggbong/)

Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie, order "Groan Stones," or a cameo for the Mahj player in your life: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/793859083054812/

Key Takeaways

1. Sheryl Rue-Borden created Mahjongg Bong after teaching Mahjong at a cannabis dispensary’s social-consumption lounge in suburban Chicago.

2. Mahjongg Bong is an adult game for players who already know American Mahjong and want to add dice, action cards, house rules, and their preferred vice to game night.

3. Sheryl says cannabis helps her manage ADHD, slow down racing thoughts, focus at the table, and play more strategically.

4. The game includes a custom bong, dice with cannabis leaves, Mahjongg Bong logos, and red dragons, plus 420-themed action cards that change play after the Charleston.

5. Sheryl built Mahjongg Bong as her twelfth business venture, self-funded it, trademarked the name, and designed it as a luxury, limited-edition game for adults 21 and older.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jenn and Cathy dive into the wild world of Mahjong variations, from blanks and black dragons to kitties, double dice, trinkets, high-stakes games, Siamese, Royale, and one very unexpected Mahjong bong. Every table has rules, but some rules are a whole different game.

Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie, order "Groan Stones," or a cameo for the Mahj player in your life: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/793859083054812/

Tiles we talked about: Larger traditional-style Mahjong tile set with sunset-toned backs (https://www.snackcrackbam.com/)

Today's racks: Clear acrylic racks from The Mahjong House (https://themahjonghouse.com/collections/racks)

Key Takeaways

1. Groups should teach standard Mahjong rules first, then clearly explain variations such as blanks, special scoring, and house rules before a new player sits down.

2. Blanks allow players to secretly retrieve a tile already discarded, which changes defensive strategy and gives the game a different level of risk and surprise.

3. The proposed black dragon would give dots their own dedicated dragon while leaving the white dragon to function only as zero, sparking a big debate among players.

4. Table rules can include kitties, double dice, bonus payouts, wind cheers, special joker placement, and different ways to play for money, trinkets, or score.

5. Siamese and Royale add more racks, more tiles, and more complexity, proving that Mahjong players will happily find new ways to make an already addictive game even more complicated.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mahjong resale market is booming, and Jenn and Cathy have thoughts. They tackle tile flippers, overpriced drops, dupes, Facebook resale rules, scam-proof selling, and better ways to clear out the closet, including donating old tiles and cards to players who need them.

Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie, order "Groan Stones," or a cameo for the Mahj player in your life: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/793859083054812/

Tiles we talked about: Sunday Mahjong Plum Panda Tile Set (https://sundaymahjong.com/products/plum-panda-tile-set-preorder-est-jan-27)

Today's mat: Trail East Mahjong Neoprene Mahjong mat (https://traileaststudio.com/collections/original-painting-mahjong-mats)

Today's rack: The Minted Design Clear acrylic Mahjong racks (https://www.theminteddesign.com/products/the-minted-design-mahjong-racks)

Key Takeaways

1. Reselling tiles, mats, and accessories you no longer use can be a practical way to clean out your Mahjong closet and give another player a chance to enjoy them.

2. Collectible, discontinued, vintage, and hard-to-find sets can hold or gain value over time, especially when they have a known history or are in great condition.

3. Buying a limited tile drop solely to flip it days later for a steep markup creates frustration for players who genuinely wanted the set.

4. Buyers and sellers should take basic precautions in resale transactions, including requesting current photos, proof of purchase, a video call, and original packaging when possible.

5. If resale does not feel right, donate old tiles and previous-year cards to a nonprofit, a school program, or a new Mahjong group building its supplies.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jillian and her nine-year-old son Ben join Jenn and Cathy for Mahjong strategy, kid-friendly teaching, tournament talk, and plenty of table commentary. Ben shares how he learned, why he loves the Charleston, and how he keeps grown-ups accountable for their language.

Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/793859083054812/

Tiles we talked about: https://www.twosparrowsmahjong.com/

Connect with Jillian: https://www.mahjeltovwithjillian.com/product-page/play-smarter-screw-your-opponents-a-strategy-workbook-for-the-nmjl-2026-card

Key Takeaways

1. Kids can learn Mahjong quickly when they start with tile names, hand-building practice, and regular play with a patient adult.

2. Mahjong builds pattern recognition, strategy, math skills, decision-making, and confidence across generations.

3. Jillian’s strategy workbook uses exposures, discards, Charleston choices, betting exercises, and Mahjong mysteries to help players practice reading the table.

4. Ben’s beginner videos make Mahjong feel accessible for younger players and give adult beginners a friendly starting point before open play.

5. Clear rules matter at every age. Learn the standard rules first, then be upfront whenever a group uses house rules or a variation like Siamese Mahjong.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tracy and Trent Painter join Jenn and Cathy to talk tablescapes, leather mats, themed parties, 3D-printed accessories, and turning a Mahjong hobby into a family business. They also share tournament rules, big-hand bragging rights, and what happens when creativity takes over the house.

Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1262701418521503/

Connect with Circle P Leather: https://www.circlepleather.com/

Join Tracy’s Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1F43na86ET/

Key Takeaways

1. Tracy and Trent turned their love of Mahjong, leatherwork, themed parties, and creative accessories into a growing business built around the game.

2. Great tablescapes can be affordable, personal, practical, and fun, with tile readability and a mat that slides staying high on the priority list.

3. Tournament rules still matter, especially during the Charleston. A player cannot be called dead before East officially begins the game.

4. Mahjong has become a major part of Trent’s leather business, with most of his custom work now connected to mats, tile bags, card pouches, and player accessories.

5. Working, playing, and building a Mahjong business together takes humor, shared effort, and a willingness to let one more tile set, mat, or party idea into the house.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We put original tiles beside look-alikes and ask the messy question: when does inspiration become copying?

From quality differences and price points to copyrights, trademarks, small-business realities, and consumer ethics, we unpack mahjong dupes—without legal advice, but with plenty of opinions.

Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1262701418521503/

Today's episode was recorded live from The Birdie Houston: https://thebirdiehouston.com/

Where to get Jenn's jewelry: https://mahjonggjewelry.com/

REAL tiles we talked about: https://ohmymahjong.com/products/lagoon-tile-set

Key Takeaways

1. We compare original tiles with look-alikes and spot differences in finish, detail, color, and artwork.

2. Not every similar design is a counterfeit, but direct copies can create a serious problem for creators.

3. Tile designers invest time, money, artistic vision, and business resources into original products.

4. Affordable mahjong sets exist without buying a copy of another brand’s design.

5. Before you buy a dramatically cheaper look-alike, ask yourself: Is it just legally questionable, or does it feel morally wrong too?

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Destination Mahjong founder Fern Oliphant joins us for an exclusive announcement: Nicole Rabik is her new business partner. We talk tournaments, travel, international cruises, waitlists, rookie players, tournament etiquette, and why “competition with kindness” is the energy mahjong needs as the game keeps growing.

Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1262701418521503/

Learn more about Destination Mahjong: https://destinationmahjongg.com/

Key Takeaways

1. Fern Oliphant announces Nicole Rabik as Destination Mahjong’s new business partner.

2. Destination Mahjong is expanding to new destinations, including Dallas and Tampa, alongside international sailings.

3. Fern’s mission is to help newer and more experienced players connect through tournament education.

4. Tournaments offer structured play, skill-building, and a fast track to making mahjong friends.

5. Great tournament culture starts with kindness, preparedness, and respect for organizers and fellow players.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer and Cathy tackle competition, collaboration, and community drama in the Mahjong world. From fake profiles to supporting fellow organizers, they share why strong boundaries, mutual respect, and a little class make the whole game better.

Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1262701418521503/

Today's tiles: https://mahjusa.com/products/mah-jongg-set-green-sparkle-160-larger-tiles-mahjong-majong-easy-to-read-new

Today's table scape: https://woodlandsmahjongsociety.com/products/woodlands-woodstock-four-winds-social

Here's the Ritz Carlton cruise we talked about: https://www.ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com/luxury-caribbean-cruises/sanjuan-to-miamiflorida-12270129

Key Takeaways

1. Healthy competition can improve the Mahjong community when people focus on creating great experiences rather than trying to damage someone else’s reputation.

2. Collaboration has room to thrive among tournament organizers, instructors, podcasts, vendors, and local groups through cross-promotion, shared advice, and mutual support.

3. Anonymous posts, impersonation accounts, public attacks, and attempts to force players or vendors to “choose sides” create unnecessary harm and undermine community trust.

4. Supporting another Mahjong business does not require endorsing every decision it makes; clear boundaries and respectful professionalism can coexist.

5. Players will gravitate toward communities that offer a welcoming culture, strong events, and a good experience—without anyone needing to claim ownership over them.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social play is the heart of mahjong. We talk Amazon tiles and bespoke mats, “heard around the table” moments, travel sets we couldn’t resist, and why friendships, laughter, snacks, and slow games with kind people keep us coming back long after we’ve forgotten who actually won.

Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1262701418521503/

Tiles mentioned on the show: https://a.co/d/02el3291

Key Takeaways

1. Social play is where friendships, birthday traditions, and shared stories are made.

2. You can build a fun tablescape with affordable Amazon tiles and a bespoke mat.

3. Players happily justify extra tile sets for travel and “just one more game.”

4. Many fans “come for the game, stay for the people,” regardless of win rate.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re in Cathy’s Mahjong Room showing off the elusive Chris Lloyd Mother Nature set, with dragons, butterflies, teacup jokers, animal seasons, and all the whimsical details. We talk how this collectible found its way to our table, why it’s so meaningful, and what makes a tablescape truly special.

Connect with Mahjong Meets Moxie: https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1262701418521503/

Key Takeaways

1. Jenn walks through the rare Chris Lloyd Mother Nature set tile by tile.

2. Dragons, butterflies, teacups, pagodas, and animal seasons layer in personal meaning and nostalgia.

3. The set’s scarcity, waitlists, and auctions show how collectible mahjong has become.

4. Thoughtful mats, racks, dice, and winds turn a game into a full tablescape experience.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mahj Salon is presented by Mahjong Meets Moxie (https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/)!

Join the conversation in our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14hVXtxPYwo/)!

Tournament legends Fredell, Susan, and Linda—the Sharks of Houston—join Jennifer and Cathy at Mahjong Meets Moxie to dish on tiles, superstitions, table talk, and “maj misdemeanors,” while cheering on newbies and spilling what decades of national tournament play have really taught them.

Key Takeaways

1. The “Sharks of Houston” have collectively played and placed in scores of tournaments over decades, often traveling nationwide with a “have card, will travel” mindset.

2. Mahjong Meets Moxie tournaments in Houston intentionally blend newbies and longtime players, creating a single, supportive community instead of separate groups.

3. Table talk ranges from cheeky lines about jokers to the belief that your Mahjong group can be your go-to source for life advice, referrals, and emotional support.

4. Players see tournament success as a mix of luck and skill, where card mastery, strategy, and mindset meet the unpredictable fall of the tiles.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when the Mahj-obsessed wives hand the mics to their men?

Kip and Hal step into the Husband Hot Seat to confess how many tile sets live at home, what they really thought Mahjong was, and how their formal living rooms became full‑blown salons. From “nurse or purse” to spa‑jong gifts and AI agents negotiating play time, this one’s equal parts love letter and roast.

The Mahj Salon is presented by Mahjong Meets Moxie (https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/)!

Join the conversation in our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14hVXtxPYwo/)!

Key Takeaways

1. The husbands admit they play a little (or under duress) but genuinely love that Mahjong gives their wives passion, friendship, and a thriving community.

2. Mahjong has literally taken over the house, with living rooms turned into salons and weekends packed with lessons, tournaments, and multiple tables in play.

3. “Nurse or purse” becomes a running joke about aging, partnership, and why Kip and Hal better stick around so their wives never have to date again.

4. Gifts have gone from last‑minute jewelry to $750 vintage bone‑and‑bamboo sets, spa‑jong weekends, and dreams of pricey Chrysloid tiles and automatic tables.

5. The guys learn real Mahj etiquette—no touching discards, rack it then think, and stop committing Maj misdemeanors like reorganizing tiles in the middle.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Because Mahjong is no longer just a living‑room hobby, it’s a full‑blown lifestyle—Jenn and Cathy take you from Bean & Bottle in Houston to cruise ships, country clubs, and all the places you’ll play.

Recorded live with original Moxie members, this episode hits AI‑Dr. Seuss Mahj poetry, “I’m not playing to win” weirdness, dream celebrity tables, and the delightfully tacky merch that proves we’re all a little obsessed.

The Mahj Salon is presented by Mahjong Meets Moxie (https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/)!

Join the conversation in our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14hVXtxPYwo/)!

Five Key Takeaways

1. Mahjong has gone lifestyle: coffee‑and‑wine bars, cruises, lodges, ballrooms, leagues, and big‑ticket destination tournaments are now standard ways to get your weekly Mahj fix.

2. Dream tables say a lot—RBG and Scalia, Ann Richards, Ali Wong, Wanda Sykes, Sally Field, and the Maj Bros vs. the “Salon Sisters” show how politics, comedy, and pop culture collide over tiles.

3. Around‑the‑table lines like “I’m not playing to win today” and “the ass that asks” reveal how differently people approach competition, socializing, and speaking up about what’s really going on.

4. Mahjong merch gets gloriously ridiculous: bird bam sweaters, bedazzled “Mahjong” tops, lucky socks, cat card bags, and 3D‑printed tile cases are part of the fun—and sometimes a Mahj misdemeanor.

5. Community is everything: original Moxie members, open play seven days a week, and invitations to meet up in places like Times Square prove Mahjong is as much about who you play with as where you play.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jenn and Cathy go full tile-nerd in this episode, tracing Mahjong’s glow-up from classic sets to bougie designs, pricey mats, sculpted racks, and wild themed cards. From cultural-appropriation backlash to Texas leather mats, dragon dresses, and Taylor Swift mini-Maj decks, they ask what’s worth the splurge, what’s useless-but-fabulous, and how this “little game” turned into a serious shopping problem.

The Mahj Salon is presented by Mahjong Meets Moxie (https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/)!

Join the conversation in our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14hVXtxPYwo/)!

Key Takeaways

1. Modern Mahjong is big business, with creative tile makers, salons, and retailers reinventing how (and where) you play.

2. Tiles, mats, and racks are the investment pieces, from vintage bone-and-bamboo sets to leather and neoprene mats and long, buttery wood racks.

3. The hosts tackle the Mahjong Line controversy, arguing you can honor the game’s roots and still love pretty, modern, “bougie” tiles.

4. Merch has no chill: dragon dresses, Mahj pajamas, custom hats, giant one-bams, card covers, shufflers, and themed cards (hello, Taylor Swift).

5. Behind the glam is real gameplay: good teachers, solid strategy, and understanding the difference between social play, lessons, and true tournament conditions.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mahjong personalities are real. If you don’t recognize them at your table, it might be you.

From league drama and “your hand is dead, sweetie” to Texas‑proud tablescapes, moaners, sandbaggers, and no‑show offenders, Jenn and Cathy break down the characters and conflicts that prove there is absolutely no crying in Mahjong.

The Mahj Salon is presented by Mahjong Meets Moxie (https://www.mahjongmeetsmoxie.com/)!

Join the conversation in our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14hVXtxPYwo/)!

During the episode we mentioned The 12 Steps of Mahjong (Anonymous):

Step one: We admitted were powerless over pairs, and that all the new Mahjong cards

have become unmanageable.

Step two: We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves—perhaps Jokers—could

restore us to sanity.

Step three: We made a decision to turn our hands and our picks over to the Gods of luck as

we understood them.

Step four: We made a searching and fearless inventory of every missed exposure and joker

exchange.

Step five: We admitted to our fellow players, our table, and ourselves the exact nature of our bad Charleston passes.

Step six: We were entirely ready to have all these weak hand choices removed.

Step seven: We humbly asked for the strength and timing to call for a needed tile.

Step eight: We made a list of all the players we had harmed and became willing to make
amends for groans of being “just one away” when our friends called Mahjong.

Step nine: We made direct amends to anyone whose tile we took that led to their missed mahjong.

Step ten: We continued to take inventory of our friend’s tells and favorite hands, and when we misnamed a tile, promptly admitted it.

Step eleven: We sought through practice and patience to improve our hand-reading skills and the power to carry it out in a tournament.

Step twelve: Having had a mahjong awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to
practice these principles in all of our in person and online games, continuing to play with kindness at every opportunity.

Five Key Takeaways

1. League play changes the stakes: honest mistakes still mean dead hands, and guilt‑tripping the table to stay in is a major etiquette foul when prizes and rankings are on the line.

2. Every table has “types”—from moaners who complain their way to top scores, to sandbaggers, silent assassins, and guests who leave early or no‑show and wreck the game flow.

3. Tablescapes are a whole personality: Texas‑themed tiles, leather mats that slide just right, and even badass‑women code names for league ranking keep things fun while protecting egos.

4. House rules and expectations (like four‑player preference, bob setups, and how you label fouls) are key to avoiding tears, resentment, and passive‑aggressive “honest mistake” debates.

5. Mahjong gossip is alive and well in leagues and online; the healthiest response is to own your fouls, learn the rules, and keep the space generous, not manipulative.

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