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)
| 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 | |
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 2027 – DEADLINE 02/18/2027)
****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:
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
- Amelia Copp
- Denise Miller-Hansen
- Julie Rami
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
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Charleston Challenge (Article 291)
The Charleston Challenge is a structured training exercise designed to help players explore how different Charleston philosophies influence hand development,
-
BLACK DRAGONS (ARTICLE 290)
A Black Dragon is a custom tile concept developed by Gladys Grad that reimagines the role of the White Dragon
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Order of Operations for Claiming a Discard (Article 289)
One common misconception in American mah jongg is that a player must claim and handle a discarded tile in a
Changed Articles
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AMERICAN MAH JONGG SETS (Article 111)
An American mah jongg set consists of 152 tiles.
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IDEAL MAH JONGG TABLE (Article 110)
36″ to 40″ square is the most common size table used to play mah jongg although some groups prefer a couple extra inches for drinks and snacks.
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WINDS AND DRAGONS ALSO KNOWN AS HONORS (Article 114)
Honors are any combination of Winds and Dragons.
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
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/
