Snippet 20251228 December Highlights and Future Happenings
Mahj Life Snippets is my version of a blog post. On the last Sunday of each month, a new one will be posted with this month’s highlights and future happenings. 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 recurring YouTube videos and livestreams schedule is published on the events page.
This Month’s Highlights
Community NEWS
The National Mah Jongg League released the 2026 bulletin. If you ordered directly from them, you should receive it this week.
Discover Your Mah Jongg Experience Level
If you’ve ever wondered why some games feel effortless and others feel tricky—or why you can play beautifully one day and feel thrown off the next—the American Mah Jongg Experience Level Evaluation (ELE) is a simple way to understand your game more deeply.
ELE is a 25-question, narrative-style evaluation that follows the natural rhythm of a real game. It looks at how you think, how you make decisions, how you handle pressure, and how confidently you navigate the core skills that shape every session at the table. There’s no pass or fail here—just an honest snapshot of where you are right now in your mah jongg journey.
- You’ll see your strengths.
- You’ll understand your habits.
- And you’ll get clarity about what to focus on next.
When you complete ELE, you’ll receive a free guidebook that explains your experience level and gives you practical next steps you can use right away—whether you want more confidence with the Charleston, sharper hand development skills, better situational awareness, stronger push-fold judgment, or a clearer understanding of the rules.
If you’re ready, can take the evaluation by clicking the button below. Scroll to the bottom of the article, fill out the form, and your account will be activated so you can begin – allow 48 hours for access.
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 assist with moderating 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 2:30 | LEARNING LAB Instructor Edition | Program details |
| Friday | 5:00 to 6:00 | SIMPLY SOCIAL | |
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 November 2025)
- RUMBLE Mini-Tournament (third Saturday in November 2025)
- Team League Competition of Wits (March 2026 – DEADLINE 02/16/2026)
****Events require minimum participation: 32 players for tournaments (confirmed in groups of 4) and 6 teams of 6 for leagues.
Speaking GIGs
December 2025
Title: Mah Jongg Day with Michele Frizzell
Date: 12/02/2025 IN-PERSON GIG Merage JCC in La Jolla, CA
Title: Mah Jongg Day with Michele Frizzell and Holiday Boutique
Date: 12/04/2025 IN-PERSON GIG Merage JCC in Irvine, CA
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/in-person-gig-irvine-ca-merage-jcc-mah-jongg-day-with-michele-frizzell-and-holiday-boutique-2025/
To view videos of past events, please visit Michele’s Speaking Engagements page.
Instructor Guild
New Members
The Mahj Life Instructor Guild is growing! Heartfelt thanks and shout-out to our new members:
- Alabama
- Connecticut
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Lousiana
- Massachusetts
- South Carolina
- Texas
If you’re new to mah jongg or already know how to play and want to build your skills, search the directory to find an instructor near you.
If you’re an aspiring or current instructor, consider joining the guild!
New Content
The AMJ Experience Level Evaluation (ELE)
The AMJ Experience Level Evaluation (ELE) is now live and ready for you to use in your coaching. It’s a practical, growth-based tool—not a test—that helps you interpret player results, spot patterns, and support learners with clearer, more intentional guidance. Work with an instructor to maximize your results. LEARN MORE!
Merit Program for Instructors
The Merit Program for Instructors (MPI) is designed to provide a means for American mah jongg instructors to test their knowledge of the game with the potential to earn microcredentials.
Microbadges Earned
- NONE THIS MONTH
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
See the summaries at the bottom of this page: https://mahjlife.com/wiki/
Updated
See the summary at the bottom of this page: https://mahjlife.com/wiki/
New letters in Dear Hoptoi
When Tiles Need a Decoder Card, Teaching Becomes Twice as Hard (Letter 20)
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
Check out this index to find merch that resonates with you: https://mahjlife.com/merch-index/
Future Happenings
Speaking GIGs
January 2026
Title: The Power of Position in Mah Jongg
Date: 01/18/2026 IN-PERSON GIG Mahj Squad 901 & MS Mahj
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/memphis-mah-jongg-workshop-january-2026/
February 2026
Title: Mah Jongg Day, Break Out Sessions, Social Games, and Mini-Tournaments
Date: 02/13-15/2026 IN-PERSON GIG Mah Jongg Maven Retreat
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/in-person-all-inclusive-social-mah-jongg-retreat-2026/
June 2026
Title: Competitive Play
Date: 06/07/2026 Private, IN-PERSON GIG Mah Jongg Day San Francisco, CA
Registration: PENDING
September 2026
Title: Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – BINGO BASH & MAHJ-A-THON
Date: 09/26/2026 VIRTUAL GIG Mahj Life
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/fundraisers/
November 2026
Title: TBD
Date: 11/17/2026 IN-PERSON GIG La Jolla CA Lawrence Family Community Center, Jacobs Family Campus Mah Jongg Day
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/in-person-gig-la-jolla-lawrence-family-jewish-community-center-jacobs-family-campus-mah-jongg-day-2026/
Title: TBD
Date: 11/19/2026 IN-PERSON GIG Irvine CA Merage JCC Mah Jongg Day with Michele Frizzell and Holiday Boutique 2026
Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/in-person-gig-irvine-ca-merage-jcc-mah-jongg-day-with-michele-frizzell-and-holiday-boutique-2026/
