Snippet 20260830 August Highlights and Future Happenings
Mahj Life Snippets is my version of a blog post. On the last Sunday of each month, a new post will be published with this month’s highlights and upcoming events. An email blast will notify subscribers anytime a new snippet is published. If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe by clicking the button below!
The schedule of recurring YouTube videos and livestreams is published on the events page.
This Month’s Highlights
Community NEWS
A New Milestone for Instructor Education
We’re proud to announce that the Mahj Life Merit Program for Instructors (MPI) has officially earned independent international accreditation from the CPD Standards Office (London, UK).
This achievement recognizes the quality, rigor, and educational design of our professional development courses, marking an important milestone for Mahj Life and American mah jongg instructor education.
When instructors continue to learn, players benefit. That belief has guided Mahj Life from the beginning and continues to inspire our commitment to advancing instructor education. Stronger instructors create better learning experiences, stronger communities, and a brighter future for the game we all love.
If teaching is part of your mah jongg journey—or you’d like it to be—we invite you to learn more about the Mahj Life Instructor Guild and the Merit Program for Instructors.
YouTube Channel
Consider joining as a channel member to show your support and enjoy perks! Read more on the Get Involved page.
Channel Members… if you’d like to help in another way, consider joining the Mod Squad to help moderate the livestream chat. Learn More!
Let’s Play Livestream Schedule (Eastern Time PM)
| Monday | 1:00 to 2:00 | NITTY-GRITTY | American Mah Jongg Skills and Strategies Matrix (AMJ S2 Matrix) 16-week topic rotation by episode (Article 210) |
| Tuesday | 1:00 to 2:00 | LEARNING LAB Player Edition | Program details |
| Wednesday | 1:00 to 2:00 | MEMBERS ONLY | Available to YouTube channel members. Learn more… |
| 2:00 to 3:00 | OBSESSED | ||
| Thursday | 1:00 to 2:00 | LEARNING LAB Instructor Edition | Program details |
| Friday | 5:00 to 6:00 | SIMPLY SOCIAL | ON HOLD until January |
6:00 to 8:00 | BEAT THE PRO CHALLENGE Season runs from January to mid-September. | Beat the Pro is a challenge for competitive players. Anyone who wins at the table is eligible to participate in exclusive mini-tournaments. Learn more… |
Mod Squad
If you want to help monitor chat during livestreams, consider volunteering as a moderator. Click to apply!
Competitions
Mahj Life competitions are held on the Mahjong Time platform annually****, drawing top players from the American mah jongg community. These high-stakes events showcase remarkable skill and exciting matchups as contestants compete for a spot in the winner’s circle. The results are broadcast on YouTube, allowing fans to follow the action in real time and interact with commentators.
- INVITATIONAL Mini-Tournament (first Saturday in October)
- RUMBLE Mini-Tournament (first Saturday in November)
- Team League Competition of Wits (March)
****Events require a minimum participation of 32 players for tournaments (confirmed in groups of 4) and 6 teams of 6 for leagues.
Speaking GIGs
NONE THIS MONTH
To view videos of past events, please visit Michele’s Speaking Engagements page.
Instructor Guild
Our Instructor Guild Directory is a growing resource that helps players connect with Mahj Life instructors nationwide. Here are the changes that may interest you.
United States
- Georgia
- Massachusettes
- New Jersey
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Texas
If you’re an aspiring or current instructor, consider joining the guild!
New Content
Merit Program for Instructors
The Merit Program for Instructors (MPI) is an independently accredited, competency-based professional development program designed to help American mah jongg instructors assess their knowledge, strengthen their skills, and demonstrate their commitment to continuous learning. Through self-paced learning programs, authentic assessments, and performance-based assignments, participants can earn Mahj Life microcredentials that recognize demonstrated competency in specific areas of instructor development. These credentials reflect a commitment to instructional excellence while being earned through educational programs independently accredited by the CPD Standards Office (London, UK).
Microbadges Earned This Month
- Karen Bavender – AMJ Quest Rules Trek
- Denise Miller-Hansen – AMJ Quest Sportsmanship Trek
- Katie Whitten – AMJ Quest Rules Trek
Congratulations to these instructors for their achievements!
If you are an aspiring or current instructor, consider joining the Mahj Life Instructor Guild to participate in the Merit Program for Instructors and demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an American Mah Jongg instructor.
Changes to the Wiki
New Articles
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LEAGUE PLAY (ARTICLE 296)
League play is becoming an increasingly popular way for players to enjoy regular mah jongg with a competitive edge. Some
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PICKING THE WRONG TILE FROM THE WALL (ARTICLE 295)
A tile remains on the bottom tier of the wall but is overlooked, perhaps because nearby discards obscure it. The
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ACTION TAKEN AFTER AN UNNAMED DISCARD (ARTICLE 293)
A player discards without naming the tile. The next player picks from the wall and racks, and another player wants
Updated Articles
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LEAGUE PLAY (ARTICLE 296)
League play is becoming an increasingly popular way for players to enjoy regular mah jongg with a competitive edge. Some
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TOURNAMENT PLAY (Article 186)
Anyone who enjoys playing games has a competitive streak to some degree. American mah jongg was designed to be played
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PICKING THE WRONG TILE FROM THE WALL (ARTICLE 295)
A tile remains on the bottom tier of the wall but is overlooked, perhaps because nearby discards obscure it. The
New letters in Dear Hoptoi
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Same Rules, Different Expectations (Letter 27)
I’m wondering if anyone else has run into this. In our group, there’s a player who consistently stops the Charleston
If you need practical advice to help you resolve an awkward or challenging situation, send a letter today! https://mahjlife.com/dear-hoptoi/
New Merch
NONE THIS MONTH
Check out this index to find merch that resonates with you: https://mahjlife.com/merch-index/
Future Happenings
Speaking GIGs
September 2026
Location: VIRTUAL at Mahjong Time
Title: BINGO BASH & MAHJ-A-THON Childhood Cancer Awareness Month benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Date: 09/26/2026
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/fundraisers/
October 2026
Location: VIRTUAL at Mahjong Time
TItle: Mahj Life Invitational Tournament
Date: 10/03/2026
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/invitational/
Location: IN-PERSON Branson, MO with Cindy Lubbert
TItle: Immersive Retreat | Two sessions TBD PLUS Mini-Touranment
Date: 10/23-25/2026
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/in-person-branson-mah-jongg-retreat/
November 2026
TItle: VIRTUAL Mahj Life RUMBLE Tournament
Date: 11/07/2026 VIRTUAL GIG Mahj Life
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/invitational/
Location: IN-PERSON La Jolla, CA Lawrence Family Community Center, Jacobs Family Campus
Title: Mah Jongg Day | The Myth of Luck in Mah Jongg
Date: 11/17/2026
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/in-person-gig-la-jolla-lawrence-family-jewish-community-center-jacobs-family-campus-mah-jongg-day-2026/
Location: IN-PERSON GIG Irvine, CA Merage JCC
Title: Mah Jongg Day and Holiday Boutique |The Pivot Playbook
Date: 11/19/2026
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/in-person-gig-irvine-ca-merage-jcc-mah-jongg-day-with-michele-frizzell-and-holiday-boutique-2026/
February 2027
Location: IN-PERSON Atlanta, GA
Title: Mah Jongg Maven Retreat | two sessions to be determined
Date: 02/19-21/2027
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/in-person-gig-all-inclusive-social-mah-jongg-retreat-atlanta-ga-2026/
April 2027
Location: IN-PERSON GIG Olive Branch, MS
Title: MS Mahj Shindig | Season Shift PREMIER 2027
Date: 4//24/2027
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/season-shift-premier-2027/
May 2027
Location: IN-PERSON GIG Springfield, MO
Title: Instructor Summit 2027, NEW Immersive Format!
Date: 05/26-28/2027
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/in-person-gig-instructor-summit-2027/
