When the tennis players at New Albany Club began trading their rackets for racks at the mah jongg table, my friend Linda Anderson and I were left thinking—what about us? We quickly turned to our friend Jody Altschule for a lesson, and we’ve been playing ever since.

Shelby is a seasoned American mah jongg teacher with over 20 years of experience. From beginner lessons to strategy and tournament play, she loves introducing others to the game and growing her mah jongg community. What began as a social shift has become a lifelong passion she’s excited to share.

Student Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

In-Person Lesson Size: Minimum of 5 players up to 20 with an assistant after 8

In-Person Group: Wind Down and Play Mah Jongg Club

Our club is called the Unwind & Play Mah Jongg Club. We’re located in Rockingham County, NC, and began with the first group lessons offered at Deep Springs Country Club and Autumn Creek Vineyards. Now, over 100 new players have joined our ranks. We offer Open Play twice each week, as well as Second Weekends, when we often partner with local libraries for a free introduction and Mahj in the Vines Open Play at the Vineyard.

Microcredentials:

First Principles Promise: I promise to teach you the first principles of mah jongg using the official rules, giving you a strong foundation and the confidence to play with anyone, anywhere.

Variations Awareness Pledge: I pledge to distinguish house rules from the official rules and help you understand their impact so you can confidently adapt and enjoy the game anywhere.

Pride In Excellence Initiative