Meet Your Instructor

Hi, I'm Ross.

For over 20 years I've been playing, researching, and teaching mahjong in its various forms — American NMJL, Hong Kong, Japanese Riichi, and others. Few games reward this kind of long study the way mahjong does: every style has its own logic, and learning more than one deepens your feel for all of them.

What I teach in the Northwest Suburbs is the American NMJL game — the version most people in this area want to play with friends, family, and at clubs. My broader background means I can explain not just what the rules are, but why the American game evolved the way it did, which makes the card and the strategy click much faster.

Whether you want to start a weekly game night, finally understand this year's card, sharpen your defensive play, or simply keep your mind active with a brilliant game, I provide patient, hands-on coaching tailored to your exact pace. I bring the tiles, the patience, and the expertise — you just bring your enthusiasm.

Ross

Why Play Mah Jongg

A game that repays the time you give it.

Mah Jongg is one of the few games that genuinely rewards lifelong play — sharpening the mind, drawing people together, and offering a quiet kind of meditation in the rhythm of the tiles.

It is also one of the most well-studied games in the world for cognitive and social benefit, with peer-reviewed research consistently pointing to the same three things you probably feel after a good session at the table.

i. The Mind

Strategy, patience, and clear thinking.

Reading the card, tracking discards, weighing probabilities, anticipating opponents — every hand is a small exercise in tactical thinking and calm decision-making under uncertainty. Research has linked regular Mah Jongg play to improved executive function, short-term memory, attention, and logical reasoning in adults of all ages.^1,2

ii. The Table

Real friendships, built four at a time.

Mah Jongg is fundamentally a social game — four people, two to three hours, real conversation between hands. It is one of the most enjoyable ways to deepen old friendships and start new ones, and studies have repeatedly found that regular play is associated with reduced loneliness and improved emotional well-being among players.³

iii. The Long Game

A protective habit for brain health.

A growing body of research suggests that regular Mah Jongg play is associated with a reduced risk of dementia and cognitive decline in older adults. A 2022 prospective cohort study of nearly 12,000 adults aged 65+ found that those who regularly played Mah Jongg or cards had a measurably lower risk of incident dementia,⁴ and a 2024 review of 53 studies confirmed broadly positive effects on cognitive, psychological, and functional aging.⁵

Selected Research

Cheng et al. (2014). Mental and Physical Activities Delay Cognitive Decline in Older Persons with Dementia. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry — randomized controlled trial finding short- and long-term cognitive benefits from Mah Jongg play.
Zhang et al. (2020). Playing Mahjong for 12 Weeks Improved Executive Function in Elderly People With Mild Cognitive Impairment. Frontiers in Neurology.
Pozzi et al. (2020). Traditional board games and dementia: a systematic review. Found Mah Jongg specifically improved executive functions and temporarily reduced depressive symptoms.
Wang et al. (2022). Association between playing cards/mahjong and risk of incident dementia among Chinese older adults: a prospective cohort study. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.
Yu et al. (2024). Does Playing Mahjong Benefit Older Individuals? A Scoping Review. The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease.

Why Book a Coach

Three reasons students start with me.

A good coach makes the difference between a frustrating evening of rule-checking and a real, flowing game with friends.

Zero Intimidation

Learning 152 tiles, jokers, and a brand-new card every April can feel overwhelming. I break it down step-by-step so you're playing your first hand by the end of your first session.

ii.

Everything Provided

No need to buy a set before you know if the game is for you. I bring premium tiles, racks, pushers, the current NMJL card, and practice materials for every lesson.

iii.

Your Place, Your Pace

Learn in the comfort of your own living room, a local park district room, or your favorite neighborhood cafe — whatever feels easiest for you and your group.

Lesson Formats

Three ways to come to the table.

The "Mah Jongg 101" Group Party

Gather 3 friends for a 2-to-3 hour introductory crash course. Perfect for a unique weekend afternoon, a birthday, or an evening in.

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1-on-1 Intensive Coaching

Want to level up fast? Dedicated, personalized instruction on reading the card, hand-building strategy, tile probabilities, and defensive play.

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Coach at the Table

Already know the basics but need a refresher or want to break a bad habit? I'll sit in on your game to answer questions, correct mistakes, and offer real-time strategic advice as you play.

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Master the tiles with patient, hands-on coaching.