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A Boutique Mahjong Experience · Scotts Valley
Beginner Mahjong Classes
at Home by Zinnias.
Gather around the table for six elevated Thursday afternoon experiences at Home by Zinnias. Designed for complete beginners, this guided series turns Mahjong from intriguing to playable—one confident step at a time.
Choose the complete remaining series or individual Thursday sessions.
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™.
Your path through the series
From first tile to full game.
Each Thursday opens with a recap of the foundations, then builds forward with a new skill or strategy — so returning students keep growing, and newcomers can still drop in and follow along. You’re welcome to join for a single Thursday, though we encourage signing up for the remaining weeks to get the full arc.
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.
Register for Week 4 · September 10 →Advanced 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.
Register for Week 5 · September 17 →Kong and Master Integration · Tournament — Win a Mahjong Set
Learn the Kong — the fourth matching tile, and when upgrading a Pung is worth it — then recap the full arc from tiles to advanced strategy, review the most common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them, and revisit your digital companion tools to step smoothly into your own social games. The series closes with a full tournament, and the winner takes home their own Mahjong set.
Register for Week 6 · September 24 →Disclaimer: Topics, dates, and times are subject to change, including due to weather or other circumstances. All registrations must be completed online before class — we are not able to accept walk-ins.
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
- 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
Browse individual sessions
Choose the Thursdays that work for you.
Each date is registered separately, so you’re welcome to join for just one Thursday. Since each week builds on a recap of the foundations, we encourage signing up for the remaining weeks to get the full progression from first tile to confident player.
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.
Kong & Master Integration · Tournament — Win a Mahjong Set
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.
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.