Two-week lessons
$50 per player
- Two lesson nights
- Loaner NMJL card for class
- Seated with players at your level
Seriously good at the fun stuff
Know the rules. Enjoy the room.
The Hobbyist teaches the social and professional skills that make rooms work: at the office, at the dinner table, over a game of mahjong, and at the event. Traditional foundations, delivered like it's 2026. You'll leave feeling more comfortable knowing what to do next.
How we work
Welcome first; then the useful part.
Teaching
Small groups, real practice
Every session is hands-on. You'll set the table, pass the tiles, and work the room instead of watching slides about it.
Tone
Warm, funny, and correct
The rules are real and worth knowing; nobody has to perform them to belong. The joke is never at your expense.
Outcome
Ready for what's next
Every engagement ends with people feeling more comfortable knowing what to do next, and having a better time getting there than they expected.
Lessons · Play · American mahjong (NMJL)
The Hobbyist|Mahjong
Small-table lessons for brand-new players, rusty players, and anyone who has only ever played on an app. We bring the sets, the racks, and the cards; you bring a friend!
"An evening to learn. A decade to master."WhereHarvey's on Mainharveysonmain.com
WhenMondaysDoors open 5:30 p.m.
Session2 hoursDone by 8:15 p.m.
HomeworkGet excited for next week!
Packages
Choose how you want to learn.
Four-week lessons and coached play
$90 per player
- Two lesson nights
- Two nights of coached open play
- Your own NMJL card to keep
Open play
$10 per night
- For players who don't need lessons
- Seats open when lesson tables aren't full
- Waitlist updates 36 hours before
- Build community, one table at a time
The league
- Weekly Monday play
- Points and standings
- Join the interest list
How it works
Reserve your seat at the table.
No mahjong experience required!
No skills, no knowledge, and no homework. All you need is a reserved seat and a readiness to have a good time.
Sign up
Pick a package and tell us your comfort level.
Pay ahead
Send payment by Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal.
Get confirmed
Once payment arrives, we will confirm your seat is officially yours!
Show up
We'll take care of the rest: tiles, racks, and cards are waiting at your table.
Prepaid seats only.
Seats are limited, so a seat is reserved once payment arrives. Send payment within 24 hours of signing up to hold your seat; after that, it goes to the next person on the waitlist. No payment at the door. Need to cancel? Let us know at least 48 hours before your night, and you'll get a full refund.
Photos
Around the tables.
We don't have photos from lessons yet, so enjoy some of us and our friends playing! Lesson night photos land here after November 16, and we only post players who opt in.
Questions
Before you sit down.
Still have a question? Email us at mahj@thehobbyistky.com, and we'll get right back to you!
I've never played. Is that okay?
Absolutely! Lessons are built for brand-new players. We start with the tiles, then the card, then the Charleston.
What style of mahjong will I learn?
We teach American mahjong, played with the official National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) card. There are other styles around the world, including Chinese, Hong Kong, and Japanese Riichi, each with its own tiles and rules. American mahjong is the one with jokers, a new card of hands every year, and the Charleston, a tile-passing ritual that's half the fun!
I've only played on an app. Where do I fit?
Choose "App only" when you sign up. App players have a wide range of skill levels: some apps don't reflect American mahjong at all, and some players know the hands but have never built a wall or passed tiles in person. We'll seat you accordingly and figure out your skills and knowledge as we go!
How many people are at a table?
Four players per table. We currently have room for six tables, and with enough interest, we're happy to expand!
Do I need my own set or card?
No. We provide sets, racks, and loaner NMJL cards. The four-week package includes an NMJL card you keep.
Can I pay at the door?
No; seats are prepaid. Your seat is reserved once payment arrives, and payment is due within 24 hours of signing up. After that, the seat goes to the next person on the waitlist. It keeps tables full and fair for everyone.
What if I need to cancel?
Cancel at least 48 hours before your night, and you'll get a full refund. Email mahj@thehobbyistky.com to let us know.
What if I miss a lesson?
Life happens! If you miss a lesson, we'll give you a seat at an upcoming open play or session to keep your momentum going. Just let us know at mahj@thehobbyistky.com.
Can I bring a friend?
Please do! Each player signs up separately so every seat is reserved. We try to seat by skill level, but we all want to sit with our friends! Let us know in the "Other comments" box if you're signing up with a friend, and we'll put you at a table together.
Do you offer private lessons?
We do! We'll come to you and teach a private lesson for you and your friends at your home, office, or event space. We bring the sets, racks, and NMJL cards; you bring the people. Request a private lesson, and we'll follow up with dates and a quote.
Is there scoring?
Not at lessons or open play. Points and standings start with the league. If we're honest, we never keep score when we're playing, but it's necessary for the league; and who doesn't want to brag a little at times?
Back to mahjong
Private lessons
We'll bring the table to you!
Gather your friends, and we'll come to you for a private lesson at your home, office, or event space. You bring the space and the friends; we'll bring everything else.
We bring everything
Sets, racks, and loaner NMJL cards for every table; we can even bring the tables and chairs! All you need is the space and the friends.
Built around your group
Brand new, a little rusty, or a mix; we'll teach at your group's pace.
Made for an occasion
Birthdays, showers, book clubs, team outings, family gatherings, or a night in with friends.
Private lesson
We'll come to you!
Tell us about your group and where you'd like to play. We'll follow up within two business days with available dates and a quote.
Pricing depends on group size and location.
Request received
Thank you!
We'll follow up within two business days with available dates and a quote for your group.
Back to mahjong
Pull up a chair.
Reserve a seat
Lessons and open play
No experience required, and no need to be nervous; we're here to have fun! Tell us your comfort level so we can seat you with players at a similar pace. It takes about two minutes.
- Two-week lessons: $50
- Four-week lessons and coached play: $90
- Open play: $10 a night, by waitlist
We use your details to confirm your seat, send Monday reminders, and seat tables. We never sell your information.
Draft preview · this is what players will see
Almost there
Your seat is on hold.
Venmo
@Summer-JacksonCash App
$SummerRJacksonPayPal
summerrjackson@gmail.comPlease send payment within 24 hours to hold your seat. After that, the seat goes to the next person on the waitlist. We’ve also emailed these details to you from mahj@thehobbyistky.com.
Add this note to your payment so we can match it to your seat:
Back to mahjong
Interest list
Not ready to reserve? Get first word.
Join the list for the league, new lesson dates, open play, and mahjong events. No payment and no commitment; just first word when something's coming up!
You're on the list
Thank you!
You'll hear from us as soon as there's news on the things you picked.
Business · Dining
The Hobbyist|Etiquette
A custom session for professionals, students, and teams. You'll leave knowing what to do with your hands, your fork, and the conversation.
"Come to the table."What we cover
Which fork? The one farthest out. Now the harder part: the conversation.
First impressions
Introductions, handshakes, names, and the graceful exit.
Networking
Starting conversations, working a room, and following up the right way.
The business meal
The place setting, ordering, pacing, and who picks up the check.
Modern manners
Email, phones at the table, and virtual meetings with presence.
Not someone who just knows which fork to use; a professional who likes to make an impression.
Who books it
Bring your team. We'll eat!
- Chambers of commerce and leadership programs
- Universities, high school student groups, career centers, and student organizations
- Corporate teams, small businesses and nonprofits, and onboarding classes
Speaking · Facilitation · Coaching
The Hobbyist|Professionalism
Facilitation, coaching, and panels on professional presence: how people show up, speak up, run the room, and make an impression.
"Show up like you mean it."Formats
Pick the format that fits the room.
Facilitation
Workshops and retreats
Hands-on sessions that get a group talking, practicing, and agreeing on what good looks like.
Coaching
One-on-one or small group
Focused coaching for new leaders, job seekers, and anyone stepping into a bigger room.
Signature topic
Running the room
Leading meetings, hosting guests, and steering a conversation with confidence; the skills that make people glad to be in the room you're running.
Panels
Panel discussions
A panelist who brings practical advice on professional presence, etiquette, and making an impression.
Planning · Hosting
The Hobbyist|Events
We love a good plan A, a solid plan B, and the plan C we're quietly running while everyone thinks it's still plan A! Hosting, a good theme, and running the room are a few of our favorite things, whether it's a gala, a reception, a retreat, a fundraiser, a girls' weekend, or a mahjong night at home with friends. Our own upcoming dates are below.
"Set the table. Run the room."On the calendar
Upcoming dates.
Mahjong nights, special events, and community gatherings. Seats are prepaid, so sign up early!
Mon · Nov16
Lesson night one
Harvey's on Main · doors open 5:30 p.m. · done by 8:15 p.m.
Mon · Nov23
Lesson night two
Two-week package wraps up
Mon · Nov30
Coached open play
Four-week package · night three
Mon · Dec7
Coached open play
Four-week package · night four
Mon · Dec14
Merry Mahj open play night
Holiday open play, $10; sign-ups until tables fill, then a waitlist · Makeup seats for four-week students who miss week three or four
Jan · 2027TBA
League kickoff
Weekly Monday play with points and standings
Do it properly. Have a good time.
Stay in the loop, or book us.
Join the list for new dates, league news, and events, or tell us about your group. One account, every service line.
Book a session
Spill the tea.
Etiquette workshops, speaking, and coaching: all the fun starts here! Share a few details, and we'll follow up with dates and options.
And if you ever spill actual tea, we can teach you what to do about that too.
Request received
Thank you!
We'll be in touch within two business days with available dates and options.
Mailing list
Short emails, worth opening.
Only when there's something worth showing up for. Unsubscribe anytime.
You're on the list
Welcome to The Hobbyist!
Watch your inbox for the next round of dates.