Mahjong Classes
Expert-led Mahjong classes in the San Francisco Bay Area, live online with an instructor, or at your own pace with Mahjong Academy. Learn the tiles, build real hands, and play with confidence, even if you’ve never played before.
Three Ways to Learn Mahjong
In-Person Mahjong Classes
SF Bay AreaSmall-group classes with real tiles.
- Learn with real Mahjong tiles
- Beginner and advanced classes
- Guided instruction and gameplay
Live Online Mahjong Classes
Live on ZoomInstructor-led classes, in real time.
- Learn live with an instructor
- Ask questions in real time
- Join from anywhere
Mahjong Academy
Learn Mahjong OnlineSelf-paced lessons and practice.
- Step-by-step online Mahjong lessons
- Practice anytime, from anywhere
- Build skills from fundamentals to strategy
How Our Mahjong Classes Work
HeyMahjong offers three ways to learn Mahjong. Each one teaches the same foundations; the difference is how you learn. Here’s what to expect from each, so you can choose the one that fits you.
In-Person Mahjong Classes in the SF Bay Area
Learn at a real table, with real tiles, and an instructor beside you.
How it works:
- Find a class near you and reserve your seat.
- Join a small group at the table. Tiles and materials are provided.
- Your instructor teaches through guided play, one hand at a time, until you’re playing full hands on your own.
- After class, keep practicing with complimentary Student Access to Mahjong Academy.
Best for: people who learn by doing and want the social experience of a real game.
Live Online Mahjong Classes
A real class with a real instructor, taught live on Zoom.
How it works:
- Choose a scheduled class and register.
- Join on Zoom at class time, from anywhere.
- Your instructor walks you through the game live, and you ask questions as they come up.
- Keep practicing between classes with our online practice tools.
Best for: people who want a live instructor but can’t make it to an in-person class.
Mahjong Academy: Learn Mahjong Online at Your Own Pace
Step-by-step online lessons and practice, with no schedule to keep.
How it works:
- Join Mahjong Academy and start with the first lesson whenever you’re ready.
- Work through short, structured lessons, from your first tile to real strategy.
- Practice with the AI Mahjong Coach, which gives real-time feedback on your discards.
- Come back anytime to review lessons and replay practice hands.
Best for: self-starters who want to learn on their own schedule, or keep improving after a class.
Which Way of Learning Is Right for You?
| In-Person | Live Online | Mahjong Academy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How you learn | At the table with an instructor | Live on Zoom with an instructor | Self-paced online lessons |
| Where | SF Bay Area | Anywhere | Anywhere |
| When | Scheduled class | Scheduled class | Anytime |
| Ask questions live | Yes | Yes | Online support |
| Real tiles | Yes | Your own set, optional | Not needed |
| Best for | Hands-on, social learners | Live learning from home | Learning at your own pace |
In-Person
- How you learn
- At the table with an instructor
- Where
- SF Bay Area
- When
- Scheduled class
- Ask questions live
- Yes
- Real tiles
- Yes
- Best for
- Hands-on, social learners
Live Online
- How you learn
- Live on Zoom with an instructor
- Where
- Anywhere
- When
- Scheduled class
- Ask questions live
- Yes
- Real tiles
- Your own set, optional
- Best for
- Live learning from home
Mahjong Academy
- How you learn
- Self-paced online lessons
- Where
- Anywhere
- When
- Anytime
- Ask questions live
- Online support
- Real tiles
- Not needed
- Best for
- Learning at your own pace
Mahjong Classes in the Central Valley
We also teach beginner-friendly in-person Mahjong classes in Riverbank, Modesto, and nearby cities, in the same small-group, hands-on format.
What You’ll Learn
- Tile recognition, and how a winning hand is built
- How to draw, discard, and claim tiles
- Hand structure, discard logic, and reading the table
- Defense, and when to push or fold
- Scoring, and the hands worth building toward
Mahjong Classes FAQ
What are the different ways to learn Mahjong with HeyMahjong?
HeyMahjong offers three ways to learn: in-person Mahjong classes, live online classes with an instructor, and self-paced online learning through Mahjong Academy.
What is the difference between Live Online Mahjong Classes and Mahjong Academy?
Live Online Mahjong Classes are scheduled and taught in real time by an instructor on Zoom, so you can ask questions as you learn. Mahjong Academy is self-paced: online lessons and practice tools you can start anytime and complete on your own schedule.
What’s the difference between online and in-person mahjong classes?
In-person classes are live, hands-on sessions with physical tiles. Online, you can join a live class with an instructor on Zoom, or learn at your own pace with Mahjong Academy’s structured modules and practice tools.
Are these mahjong classes good for beginners?
Yes. Our in-person and live online beginner classes start from the very first tile, and Mahjong Academy is designed for beginners and returning players, with structured modules and practice tools to build confidence step by step.
Where are in-person mahjong classes held?
In-person classes are held across the San Francisco Bay Area, and in the Central Valley in Riverbank, Modesto, and nearby cities.
Do I need a physical mahjong set to start?
No. In-person classes provide the tiles, and online you can begin with the lessons and practice tools. A physical mahjong set is helpful later, but not required to get started.
How long does the online mahjong course take?
Mahjong Academy is organized into 12 modules with 4 lessons per week. Many students follow the full path over several weeks, then revisit lessons and practice hands as needed.
Where do I enroll for mahjong classes?
Choose the format that works best for you: find an in-person class, join a live online class, or enroll in Mahjong Academy. More answers are in our Help Center.
Ready to Play?
Find a Mahjong class near you, or start learning online today.
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