What is Mahjong? The centuries-old Chinese tile game is experiencing a major resurgence. What was once considered niche has quickly become one of the fastest growing social hobbies for women and community groups across the country.
Beyond the game itself, people are drawn to Mahjong because of the connection, conversation, and sense of community it creates around the table, according to local player Amber Jurek.
Jurek is part of a group of Mahjong players that is planning to host American Mahjong class this summer in Nashville. The other players include Heather Cox, Hayden Williams, Candy Stanley, Jenna Pope, Melissa Astin, Jenna Pryor, Kassandra Organista and Jennifer Revels.
The group recently attended a Miss Arkansas scholarship Mahjong fundraiser, “Bams, Cracks, and Crowns,” at Northridge Country Club in Texarkana, Texas. The event brought together approximately 70 attendees from across the region, including the group from Nashville.
“Many attendees, like myself, are newer players who discovered Mahjong within the last couple of years and now play weekly, sometimes multiple times a week, simply because of the friendships and community it has created,” said Jurek. “It has become much more than a game.”
Jurek said the interest locally has been overwhelming. “Our hope is to continue sharing the love of the game within our community and introduce even more people to this game.”
For more information and details, follow the Nashville Mahjong Club on Facebook.
