Most people who stop me to ask about mahjong say the same thing. They've always wanted to learn, and they just never started. This is the easiest place to start.
A Taste of Mahjong is a 90-minute morning introduction on the porch at Perry's, with a matcha or coffee in your hand. You'll have tiles in front of you in the first ten minutes, not a lecture.
This class is for you if:
You've never touched a tile and want to see what the fuss is about
You played once years ago and none of it stuck
You've watched friends play and wondered if it's for you
You'd like to try mahjong before committing to a full class
I teach using my Mahjong Made Simple method, so I leave out everything you don't need on your first morning. We keep it light, we keep it moving, and nobody is expected to know anything.
What we'll cover:
The tiles, the suits, and what all those little pictures mean
How to read a simplified mahjong card
How the Charleston starts, the famous tile swap at the beginning of every game
A practice hand played together, with me guiding every move
This is a first taste, so you won't leave with mastery of the game. You'll leave knowing whether you love it and exactly what to do next. When you're ready for more, my full Mahjong 101 class takes you the rest of the way to playing a real game - or you can come back and attend the taste introduction again.
$28 per person, and a matcha or coffee drink is included. No equipment needed, I bring the tiles and everything else.
Please arrive at 8:45 to settle in and pick up your drink, so we can start right at 9:00. Class ends at 10:30, and you're welcome to stay afterward and enjoy Perry's Porch. You can make a reservation for their delicious lunch or brunch.
Bring a friend. Sign up together, and there is a little thank-you waiting at the table for whoever books the seats. Coming on your own? Come on your own. I will seat you, and you'll meet people who are just as new as you are.
Already play? Open play runs on the porch at the same time. It's free, there's no need to register, and you can come as you are. Just BYOT (bring your own tiles).
We meet on the porch at Perry's Porch in downtown St. Pete. We play outside, so dress for the morning and maybe bring a light layer for cooler days. Metered parking is available out front and in the lot beside the restaurant, and you can pay with cash, a credit card, or the ParkMobile app.
Register below. If this date doesn't work, there's another on the calendar.
For the best experience for all, we need at least 4 people in this class. Life happens, and so does ticket math. If we don't hit the numbers we need, I'll move your spot to another date.