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A Boutique Mahjong Experience · Scotts Valley
Beginner Mahjong Classes
at Home by Zinnias.
Five elevated Thursday afternoon experiences at Home by Zinnias, gathered around the table. Designed for complete beginners, this guided series turned Mahjong from intriguing to playable—one confident step at a time.
This series has now concluded.
Registered students: visit your student page.
Shop · Gather · Play
A refined afternoon around the Mahjong table.
Home by Zinnias and HeyMahjong come together to create more than a lesson. This is a thoughtfully hosted social experience—part learning, part leisure, and entirely designed around connection.
Arrive curious. Settle into a beautiful space. Learn the game with expert guidance. Leave with new confidence, new conversation, and a reason to return.
More than a class
A beautiful reason to gather.
Mahjong brings together pattern recognition, strategy, conversation, and connection. This intimate series pairs HeyMahjong’s structured teaching with the warm, design-led setting of Home by Zinnias.
Start from the beginning
No prior experience is required. Learn the tiles, table flow, and essential foundations in a clear sequence.
Practice with guidance
Build confidence through hands-on play, instructor feedback, and repeated practice with the same small group.
Leave ready and keep playing
Walk away confident — and keep the fun going with friends and family using our AI Companion™.
The path through the series
From first tile to full game.
Each Thursday opened with a recap of the foundations, then built forward with a new skill or strategy — so returning students kept growing, and newcomers could still drop in and follow along.
Foundation and Strategy Basics
Learn the tile suits, foundational scoring and hand objectives, and essential table etiquette—from building and breaking the wall to starting a game the right way. Set up your digital companion tools to step smoothly into your own social games.
Week 1 · August 20 — CompletedEfficiency, Tile Value, and Reading the Table
Recap tile families and turn flow, then learn tile efficiency, tile value, and how to read the table — plus Chi, another way to claim a tile and put a winning hand together quickly.
Week 2 · August 27 — CompletedFive-Block Principle, Defense, and Risk Management · Mini Tournament
Recap hand-building basics and how to claim tiles with Pung and Chi, then learn the Five-Block Principle — the structure behind every winning hand — along with defense, risk management, and advanced hand development.
Week 3 · September 3 — CompletedHighest-Probability Strategy, Pivoting, and Fan Values — Part 1 · Mini Tournament
Recap the Five-Block Principle, then learn to find the route with the best odds, pivot when those odds change mid-hand, and read fan values — what a finished hand is actually worth, and when a slower hand is worth more than a fast one.
Week 4 · September 10 — CompletedAdvanced Scoring and Fan Values — Part 2 · Mini Tournament
Recap the fan values introduced in Week 4, then go deeper into high-value Fan patterns, concealed vs. open scoring nuances, risk assessment, and reading advanced table tells to maximize your point output.
Week 5 · September 17 — CompletedDisclaimer: Topics, dates, and times were subject to change, including due to weather or other circumstances. All registrations were completed online before class — walk-ins were not accepted.
Included with registration
Everything you need to begin.
- One 2½-hour instructor-led, in-person Thursday afternoon session
- Mahjong sets supplied for use during the event
- Printed reference guides and learning materials
- Guided gameplay, table support, and practical strategy
- Everything needed to begin—no prior experience required
- A dedicated student page for this series — your week-by-week progress, what’s coming next, and practice materials between sessions
- 30 days of access to AI Coach Pro, Multiplayer, and online learning materials so you can practice at your own pace and keep playing with friends and family after class
The sessions
Every Thursday of the series.
Each date was registered separately, so guests could join for a single Thursday. Each week recapped the foundations before building forward, taking students from first tile to confident player across five Thursdays.
Foundation & Strategy Basics
A complete 2½-hour beginner-friendly session.
Efficiency & Tile Value
A complete 2½-hour beginner-friendly session.
Five-Block Principle, Defense & Risk Management · Mini Tournament
A complete 2½-hour beginner-friendly session.
Fan Values, Part 1 · Mini Tournament
A complete 2½-hour beginner-friendly session.
Fan Values, Part 2 · Mini Tournament
A complete 2½-hour beginner-friendly session.
The partnership
Local hospitality meets modern Mahjong.
The host
Home by Zinnias
A Scotts Valley boutique known for sophisticated home décor, imaginative gifts, timeless accessories, and thoughtful self-care selections—now opening its doors for a warm, social Mahjong experience.
Visit Home by Zinnias →The experience
HeyMahjong
HeyMahjong is a modern Mahjong education and lifestyle platform offering in-person instruction, Mahjong Academy learning, and guided practice tools.
Learn about HeyMahjong →Frequently asked questions
Before you join.
Do I need any Mahjong experience?
No. This series is designed for complete beginners and for newer players who want a stronger foundation.
Do I need to bring a Mahjong set?
No. HeyMahjong provides the sets and instructional materials used during class.
Is there anything between classes?
Yes. Registered students get a dedicated student page for this series, showing your week-by-week progress, what’s coming up next, and practice materials to keep your game sharp between Thursdays. Your class handout for each week is emailed to you directly.
Can I register for only one Thursday?
Yes. Each Thursday is a separate 2½-hour session priced at $80 per person, and you’re welcome to attend just one. Since each week recaps the foundations before building forward, we recommend joining the remaining weeks for the full progression — but a single session is a complete experience on its own.
Where do I register?
Registration and payment are handled through Mahjong Academy, HeyMahjong’s learning platform. Use the registration button on this page to reserve your seat — you can sign up for the complete remaining series or for individual Thursdays.
Can I just show up on the day?
No — every seat must be registered and paid for online before class. We are not able to accept walk-ins, since sets, materials, and table space are prepared for registered guests. You’re welcome to register any time up until the session begins.
Can I attend more than one date?
Yes. Each Thursday is registered and paid separately, so returning guests can continue practicing and strengthening their gameplay.
What if I need to cancel?
Individual weeks are non-refundable once the series has begun. Single Thursday sessions follow our standard class terms. Full details are in the Cancellations & Refunds section of our Help Center.