Mahjong Gangster Squad badge logo: a crane with bamboo and mountains, with the tagline Respect the Tiles

Our story

Six friends. One table. A whole lot of heart.

Mahjong Gangster Squad began with six friends who fell in love with American Mahjong, and with each other's company around the table.

We were beginners, too.

We remember what it felt like to sit down at the table for the first time. The tiles are beautiful, and the card can look like a secret code at first. It can seem like everyone else knows something you don't.

We felt lost. Some days we felt a little silly. But we kept coming back.

We learned together.

We figured it out side by side. We asked the questions we were nervous to ask, and we cheered each other on until the game slowly started to make sense.

Somewhere along the way, learning stopped feeling like homework and started feeling like home.

The laughter is the best part.

Ask any of us what we love most about American Mahjong, and you'll hear about the people. The table is where friendships grow, where a hard week melts away and where somebody always gets the giggles.

The tiles bring us together. The laughter keeps us there.

Now we're saving you a seat.

Once the game clicked for us, we couldn't stop thinking about the next person sitting down for the first time, feeling just as lost as we once did. We wanted to make it easier for you.

That's why Mahjong Gangster Squad exists: to make American Mahjong easier for the next beginner, starting with Mahjong on Main, our free weekly newsletter.

Why we do this

What we believe

  • Every great player was once a beginner.
  • No question is too basic.
  • Kindness at the table matters.
  • Learning is better with friends.

Respect the Tiles.

How we check our lessons

Before any lesson goes out, we check every rule point against official NMJL sources and clearly label what's an official rule and what's just our tip.

MGS is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the National Mah Jongg League.

Mahjong on Main

Join the Squad

Pull up a chair. Mahjong on Main is our free weekly newsletter for beginner American Mahjong players.

Get the free newsletter