Your mahjong teacher--smiling, wearing a green floral dress and holding up a one bam mahjong tile a colorful peacock design.

It’s time for mahjong.

private lessons, group classes, and weekly social play in Central Arkansas

view the schedule

host a private event

how does mahjong become your whole personality?

book a lesson

Come solo or bring your besties—there’s always room at the table. We provide everything you need—from tiles to know how—to master this addictive game of fun, friendship, and philanthropy. Day and evening classes are offered to fit your schedule.
learn the rules

Learn classic NMJL-style play at your pace—with clarity and patience—using proven methods and materials. You’re not just learning the “real rules”—you’re getting a solid foundation and becoming the kind of player everyone wants at their table.
fall in love

Before you know it, you’ll call your first mahj and feel yourself growing more confident with every game. Mahjong is all about face-to-face fun, developing new friendships, growing a community, and feeling at home at every table you join.

book your mahjong lessons

testimonials from around the table

"Lisa is an excellent and patient instructor. She is approachable, knowledgeable, and it is apparent that she truly enjoys the game.”

Samantha, mahjong foundations student

"Lisa’s open plays have boosted lunch sales by 10%. She welcomes players of all levels, plus she’s a wonderful community partner and absolutely draws new business to my restaurant!"

Emily Gray, Chicken Salad Chick

"Lisa is such an amazing teacher. I walked in nervous about whether I would even ‘get it’ and walked out excited to play more."

Laura Kirk, mahjong 101 & 102 student

"Lisa is a wonderful mahjong instructor…she explains the rules in a way that makes them easier to understand. She is definitely the person you want to teach you mahjong."

Karen J., mahjong 101 & 102 student (and concealed hand winner)

central arkansas mahjong classes & events

Learn to Play: Mahjong Foundations

check the calendar for upcoming dates & times
Two-Night Beginner Series
Night one builds the foundation with tile recognition, understanding the NMJL card, hand building, and the first round of the Charleston. Night two reinforces it through full Charleston and guided play, so the rules stick and the rhythm of the game begins to feel natural.
Open Play • WXYZ Bar @ Aloft Hotel

Mondays 5-7p • RSVP for priority seating
Your one bam says it wants a new place to do “cheers!”. Enjoy great drinks, tasty snacks, and mahj with friends in the hottest hotel bar in WLR.

There’s no fee to attend; reach out on social for the registration link.
Learn to Play: Real Siamese

check the schedule for upcoming dates & times
Real Siamese is a fast-paced, head-to-head version of mahjong designed specifically for two players and more nuanced than casual “house rule” play.
Players manage two hands simultaneously, creating more decisions, more combinations, and more opportunities to see them evolve in real time.
Siamese materials provided
Improve Your Game: Charleston Lab

check the calendar for upcoming dates & times
The Charleston is the part of the game that often mystifies players—but mastering it can change everything.
This focused workshop is designed for players who already know the NMJL basics and want to strengthen their early decision making. Then we put it all into practice through coached play.
small group • hands-on learning
Improve Your Game: Coached Table Time

check the calendar for upcoming dates & times

Learning the rules is one thing. Feeling confident at the table is another. Table Time is a coached gameplay session for newer players who want more practice in a supportive environment.
We’ll reinforce gameplay basics, strengthen Charleston and calling decisions, and help you build confidence. If you know the basics but still find yourself second-guessing gameplay, this is your next step.
Improve Your Game: Score & Win

check the calendar for upcoming dates & times
Most players learn to play without really understanding scoring—and miss an entire layer of strategy in the process.
The scoring system exists because the game is based on real stakes, designed to shape risk, reward, and player behavior.

This isn’t about bookkeeping; it’s about the hidden logic that changes the way you think at the table.

save your seat

are you mahjong curious?

(a. k. a. “frequently asked questions”)

I teach strictly NMJL rules for one reason—I want you to be confident at any table. Also, if you and your mahj mates decide to play using house rules, it’s easier to understand why you may want to break a rule…if you know the rule.

That said…y’all I am all in on the bam bird cheers 🥂
There’s no governing body for certifying mahjong teachers.

I am a member of the Mahj Life Instructor Guild and have received micro-credentials that demonstrate my deep understanding of the rules—both published and unpublished—of American mah jongg as well as a commitment to identify house rule variations and their impact on the game so you can adapt and play confidently at any table.
I don’t have an issue with alternative cards even being a NMJL rules purist.

In fact, I have a home group where we play using one of the popular alternative cards for mahjong players with big brains (IYKYK).

That said, all lessons will feature NMJL cards—although some may use simplified versions as dictated by the lesson format.

In Siamese classes, we will be using the authentic annual Siamese card.

For now, the NMJL card will still be our “shared language” around the table at open play—but you’re welcome to bring a table set of alternative cards if your group wants to play with them.
Absolutely! I offer private mahjong lessons and events tailored to your group — whether it’s friends at home, a book club, a birthday, or a corporate team-building event. I’ll bring the tiles, cards, and teaching materials so you can focus on learning and having fun.
Classes (like Mahjong 101/102) focus on learning the rules step-by-step. Guided play is hands-on practice with support — I’ll circulate around the room to answer questions and help you make decisions as you play. It’s the perfect bridge between lessons and independent play.
Yes! Mahjong makes a great activity for birthdays, showers, reunions, networking, and holiday gatherings. I can create a custom event where your guests learn the basics and play together. No experience required — everyone leaves ready to play again.
A full game is four players per table, but I can work with any group size. For smaller groups, I’ll adapt the lesson so everyone gets hands-on play. For larger events, I can bring assistants to help multiple tables at once.
I bring everything you need: mahjong tiles, racks, a coordinating mat, National Mah Jongg League cards, and teaching materials. You just provide the space (and snacks if you want!).
Open play is designed for players who already know the basics and can play independently.

My goal is to have welcoming tables where you can make new mahj connections.

If you’re brand new to the game, start with a mahjong class or beginner series.

If you still need a lot of reminders during gameplay or don’t feel like you’re really understanding the Charleston, book a guided play session so you’ll feel confident at the table.
I host events across Central Arkansas for private groups or corporate events. I’m connected to a state-wide group of mahji mentors, and I can connect you to the perfect host for your event anywhere in the Natural State.