Mahjong mania is fueling community, business in central Indiana
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Mahjong is having a moment — it's finding new fans and fueling a boom in lessons, clubs and community events.
The big picture: The centuries-old Chinese tile game where players draw, discard and strategize toward a winning hand has long been a cherished pastime — first among Asian families and later embraced by Jewish communities.
- Now, it's part of a larger return to tactile hobbies — think pickleball, needlepoint and puzzles.
- There are more than 40 global variations, and "the game has been changing ever since it started," historian Gregg Swain tells Axios.
State of play: Meet at Mahj opened a studio and boutique in Zionsville two months ago, but is already moving into a larger space. It hosts lessons, parties and open play sessions for American mahjong.
- Owner Jaime Keith has spent most of her life teaching people how to play.
- "I didn't live in areas that Mahjong was common," Keith said, who has been playing since she was 5 years old. "So I've always taught people."
- She began teaching at the local library a few years ago before launching her business.
What she's saying: "It grows with you," Keith told Axios, "and it changes every year."
- "It brings people together … it brings you community."
Zoom in: Meet at Mahj hosts 101 and 102 level classes several times a month and open play through the week.
- The Fishers Mah Jongg Center hosts open play weekly.
- The Lawrence branch of the Indianapolis Public Library is hosting a Japanese mahjong lesson next month.
- The Linden Tree boutique in Carmel hosts classes. The next one with available space is in January.
Nationally, Eventbrite mahjong listings jumped 179% between 2023 and 2024, driven by Gen Z's taste for analog connection.
Zoom out: American mahjong started on the East Coast, but in recent years it's surged in the South and is spreading to California and the Midwest.
What we're watching: Teachers are using social media to recruit more players, sharing strategy tips and bougie tablescapes.
- TikTok posts with the hashtag #Mahjong surged nearly 25% over the past six months, data shared with Axios shows.
The bottom line: Mahjong has moved far beyond grandma's table.