Snippet 20260531 May 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 recurring YouTube videos and livestreams schedule is published on the events page.

This Month’s Highlights

Community NEWS

The National Mah Jongg League released its 2026 card! Check out my card transition video and e-book!

Four prominent players will attempt a Guinness World Record for the longest mahjong marathon on June 28, 2026, and they need your support! Learn more…

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)

Monday1:00 to 2:00NITTY-GRITTYAmerican Mah Jongg Skills and Strategies Matrix (AMJ S2 Matrix) 16-week topic rotation by episode (Article 210)
Tuesday1:00 to 2:00 LEARNING LAB Player EditionProgram details
Wednesday1:00 to 2:00 MEMBERS ONLYAvailable to YouTube channel members. Learn more…
2:00 to 3:00OBSESSED
Thursday1:00 to 2:00LEARNING LAB Instructor EditionProgram details
Friday5:00 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.

****Events require minimum participation: 32 players for tournaments (confirmed in groups of 4) and 6 teams of 6 for leagues.

Speaking GIGs

May 2026

Title: Branson, MO Retreat

Date: 05/07-10/2026

Registration: https://mahjlife.com/speaking-engagements/

Title: Houston, TX Agony vs Ecstasy: How to Thrive in Competitive Play

Date: 05/30/2026

Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/in-person-gig-houston-tx-agony-vs-ecstasy-how-to-thrive-in-competitive-play-2026/

Title: MAHJ 48 Training Circuit

Date: 05/16/2026, hybrid virtual webinar

Registration: https://mahjlife.com/mahj-48-training-circuit/

Title: Instructor Summit

Date: 05/28/2026 Private, IN-PERSON GIG Atlanta, GA

Registration: https://mahjlife.com/instructor-summit/

To view videos of past events, please visit Michele’s Speaking Engagements page.

Instructor Guild

RECURRING MEETINGS STREAMLINED: Going forward, all meetings will use one standing Zoom link (Nexus pinned post), held on Mondays at 3:00 PM ET. Each session still has a different focus—Assembly, BizDev Support, MPI Support, or Esprit BOOST PLUS 5th Monday HOT SEATS—all with the same access point.

New Members

The Mahj Life Instructor Guild is growing! Heartfelt thanks and shout-out to our new members:

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T V W Y Z
Photo of Melissa Murray
Melissa Murray Member since 01/30/2026 Polk County, FLMLIG 87900
Cell Phone: 863-581-2062
Photo of Kim Nash
Kim Nash Member since 02/14/2024 Marin County, CA
Cell Phone: 917-449-6675
Photo of Ellis Newport
Ellis Newport Member since 02/01/2026 Greene County, MOMLIG 88000
Cell Phone: 417-920-8640
Photo of Patti Nisenholz
Patti Nisenholz Member since 07/19/2025 Lake County, ILMLIG 73200
Cell Phone: 847-361-4847
Photo of Pauline O’Keefe
Pauline O’Keefe Member since 09/09/2025 Barnstable County, MAMLIG ID 76600
Cell Phone: 508-364-3240
Photo of Stacie Oates
Stacie Oates Member since 10/06/2025 Lavaca County, TXMLIG 79300
Cell Phone: 361-217-8493
Photo of Kristin Ober
Kristin Ober Member since 03/25/2025 Tulsa County, OKMLIG 94200
Cell Phone: 539-302-7025
Photo of Kyla Oberg
Kyla Oberg Member since 06/16/2025 Denton County, TXMLIG 68100
Cell Phone: 817-455-4256
Photo of Amy OConnor
Amy OConnor Member since 08/24/2025 Essex County, MAMLIG ID 75300
Cell Phone: 617-233-2959
Photo of Lisa Oleson
Lisa Oleson Member since 10/04/2025 Chicago Western Suburbs, ILMLIG 78800
Cell Phone: 630-549-9068
Photo of Lara Orndorff
Lara Orndorff Member since 06/18/2025 Franklin County, PAMLIG 68200
Cell Phone: 440-715-0815
Photo of Judy Pacanowski
Judy Pacanowski Founding Member since 05/29/2023 Vilas County, WIMLIG 32700
Cell Phone: 630-341-5251
Photo of Beth Pacyk
Beth Pacyk Member since 08/28/2025 Washington County, ORMLIG ID 75600
Cell Phone: 847-809-3801
Photo of Stacey Papier
Stacey Papier Member since 02/07/2026 Greensboro County, NCMLIG 89300
Cell Phone: 336-456-3792
Photo of Stephanie Parascandolo
Stephanie Parascandolo Member since 11/04/2025 Union County, NJMLIG 82000
Cell Phone: 718-344-4649
Photo of Charlotte Parris
Charlotte Parris Member since 10/06/2024 Summerville, SCMLIG 57600
Cell Phone: 202-330-2189
Photo of Holly Patel
Holly Patel Member since 08/02/2025 Harris County, TXMLIG ID 74200
Cell Phone: 832-392-6559
Photo of Jay Patterson
Jay Patterson Member since 01/13/2026 Shawnee County, KSMLIG 87000
Cell Phone: 719-989-0614
Photo of Lisa Perk
Lisa Perk Member since 07/12/2025 Pulaski County. ARMLIG 71400
Cell Phone: 501-516-8760
Photo of Lisa Perrin
Lisa Perrin Member since 09/21/2025 Multnomah County, ORMLIG 68300
Cell Phone: 503-890-1550

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

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 and earn microcredentials.

Microbadges Earned

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

Newest Articles

Changed Articles

New letters in Dear Hoptoi

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

PENDING

Check out this index to find merch that resonates with you: https://mahjlife.com/merch-index/

Future Happenings

Speaking GIGs

June 2026

Title: How to Thrive in Competitive Play

Date: 06/07/2026 Private, IN-PERSON GIG Mah Jongg Day Embarcadaro San Francisco, CA

Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/in-person-gig-san-francisco-ca-mah-jongg-learn-lunch-play-2026/

Title: Mahj 48 Marathon Guinness World Record Attempt

Date: 06/28-30/2026 IN-PERSON GIG Summerville, SC

Registration: https://mahjlife.com/events/mah-jongg-marathon-world-record-attempt/

September 2026

Title: BINGO BASH & MAHJ-A-THON Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Date: 09/26/2026 VIRTUAL GIG Mahj Life to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Registration: https://mahjlife.com/fundraisers/

October 2026

Title: INVITATIONAL Mini-Tournament

Date: 10/03/2026 VIRTUAL GIG Mahj Life

Registration: https://mahjlife.com/invitational/

Title: RUMBLE Mini-Tournament

Date: 11/07/2026 VIRTUAL GIG Mahj Life

Registration: https://mahjlife.com/invitational/

November 2026

Title: TBA

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: TBA

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/

Snippet 20260531 May Highlights and Future Happenings

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