News, Resources, & Ramblings | Atlanta Mahjong Studio
How to Read the Discard Pile in Hong Kong Mahjong
The discard pile is telling you a story every single deal. Here's how to read it — what early discards mean, when to start counting, and the one change that should make you sit up and pay attention.
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International Mahjong Day News Debut: Live TV, Mahjong Tiles, and One Very Full Wagon
Atlanta News First invited me on for International Mahjong Day, which happened to fall on the studio's one-year anniversary. Here's how it actually went, wagon of props and all.
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How to Remember the Asian Mahjong Character Tiles Without Numbers
Learn simple mnemonics for reading the mahjong character (ten thousands) tiles without Arabic numerals, so you can play on any set — no numbers needed.
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Hong Kong Mahjong Strategy: 5 Mistakes Holding Back Your Game
It's not personal. It's habits. Five things intermediate Hong Kong mahjong players do that quietly lose them games — and how to actually fix them.
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From Hong Kong to Riichi: A Guide to the Asian Mahjong Styles We Teach
Mahjong isn't one game — it's a family of games with regional styles. Here's a breakdown of the Asian styles we teach at the studio, from beginner-friendly Hong Kong to tournament-standard MCR to the strategic depths of Riichi.
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Remembering My Grandmother Through Mahjong
Mahjong wasn’t just a game in our family—it was how I connected with my grandma. Years later, those memories shaped the reason I started Atlanta Mahjong Studio.
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"Mahjong" or "Mah Jongg" — What's the Difference?
Mahjong. Mah Jongg. Mah-Jongg. If you've ever tried to Google this game, you've probably noticed nobody can agree on how to spell it. Turns out, the spelling actually tells you something — it's often a hint about which version of the game someone's playing. Here's the quick breakdown, plus why we spell it the way we do at the studio.
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Can You Learn Mahjong from YouTube? (Honestly, Kind Of.)
YouTube lets you rewind, browse, and learn at 2 am — and we'd be lying if we said that wasn't useful. But after teaching hundreds of beginners, including plenty who showed up after a YouTube deep dive, we've noticed a pattern: there's a real difference between learning about mahjong and learning to play mahjong.
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"What Style of Mahjong Should I Learn First?"
Not sure which version of mahjong to start with? Whether you’ve seen it in anime, learned it from your lola, or just want to stop pretending you understand the tiles — this guide breaks down the most popular styles (like Hong Kong, Riichi, and Filipino) and helps you pick the one that fits your brain, vibe, and attention span.
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November's Fun Filipino Mahjong Night
Filipino Night sold out again, and the studio was buzzing! Multiple generations played side by side, new players jumped in with enthusiasm, and even a near-cancellation (thanks to a heroic Uber and a rebellious banana tree) couldn’t stop the fun. What a night!
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Is Mahjong Hard to Learn? Not If You Can Play Cards.
Think mahjong looks complicated? If you've ever played Rummy, Poker, or Uno, you already understand half of it. Here's why card players pick up Hong Kong mahjong fast — and where to learn it in Atlanta.
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So You Want to Learn Riichi Mahjong in Atlanta
Curious about Japanese Riichi mahjong? Our five-lesson course teaches through real play at Atlanta Mahjong Studio. New to Asian-style mahjong or coming from American only? Try our Hong Kong Beginner class first—it’s quick, social, and the perfect foundation. Then join Mrs. K for Riichi to learn yaku, scoring, and strategy on automatic tables.
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