A centuries-old game is finding new life in Mid-Missouri.

Some of us were lucky enough to grow up watching ABC’s Wide World of Sports on Saturday afternoons, and the program’s famous intro, “spanning the globe, to bring you … the thrill of victory … and the agony of defeat” is seared into our psyches. Who can forget the visual memory of the poor Slovenian ski jumper flailing and helicoptering into the air before being flung through a fence on the ground below? Luckily for Jefferson City residents, there is a way to experience those emotions at home without the accompanying broken ankles and concussions – spanning the globe to bring you the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, may we present to you … the game of Mahjong.

At its most basic, Mahjong is a 19th century Chinese strategic tile game played by four people. There are usually 144 specific tiles. Each player has a card with seemingly endless possible winning tile combinations arranged in lines. Players draw and discard tiles during play, and they must choose which line presents the best winning opportunity to match their tiles. Committing to that line and navigating the rest of the game is where the real drama, consternation, and heart-clutching begin. The pain of “I should have changed lines!” can haunt players for days.

Several factors have led to the ongoing escalation of American Mahjong madness. Coming out of post-COVID isolation, people naturally craved authentic interactions. They soon discovered that Mahjong satisfied those cravings on all levels. For older generations, Mahjong brings human interaction and brain challenges. Science emphasizes the importance of maintaining memory, focus, planning skills, and pattern recognition. Mahjong checks all those boxes. Sharpening these skills helps reduce the onset of cognitive decline. The social aspect of Mahjong is just as important. Loneliness has detrimental effects on both the physical and mental health of older adults.

It can be easy to create a smaller world after children move away; retirement disrupts regular routines, and increased aches and pains make it easier to simply stay home. Once that cycle begins, it can be difficult to reverse. Mahjong has emerged as a wonderful opportunity to stay socially and mentally engaged while creating meaningful connection and community.

dditionally, as younger generations become weary of swiping right, endlessly scrolling, and Grubhubbing their evenings, Mahjong emerges as a refreshing alternative. Instagram and TikTok present hilarious and intriguing snippets of the game. Once it takes hold with younger people, it spreads like wildfire. This has often led to multigenerational play, promoting a community and family cohesion that favors everyone in its path.

Mahjong may seem like a recent explosion within our community, but Jefferson City resident Jane Dudenhoeffer started playing several years ago when neighbors introduced her to the game.

She feels the game is here to stay, explaining, “Once people form groups, develop friendships, invest in the materials, and learn the game, it becomes addictive; and between the tiles, mats, lamps, and racks, it makes it so fun to see how pretty a table setting can be.”

And she hit the tile on the head with that – many local boutiques are now fulfilling the Mahjong need in Mid-Missouri. Wildflower Lane and Carrie’s Hallmark are among the stores offering beautiful tile sets and accessories. Additionally, these stores and others, including Little Leaf Essentials, Green Leaf Café, Pierpont General Store, and Plate & Pour, are now hosting Mahjong group play events. These are opportunities to dip your toes into the Mahjong waters.

A quick search on Facebook highlights small businesses now offering group education and local Mahjong gatherings. Facebook Marketplace also offers the opportunity to purchase previously used tiles and sets, an attractive way to enter the game at a more affordable level.

So … to Mahjong or not to Mahjong?

Mark Twain once sagely said, “When you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” There is much wisdom in that.

Conversely, sometimes a bandwagon is worth boarding. Grab that nostalgia, unfold a card table, dump your tiles, put on a Willie Nelson vinyl, take some Polaroid pics, and chatter the night away. But forget about the agony of defeat because one victory will already be yours – playing a game with family and friends and keeping it real in a world that too often forgets the importance of treasuring the simple things in life.

Special Thanks: Jefferson City Magazine would like to thank local businesses Pizza Haus, Amazing Graze, La Estaca, Plate & Pour, Bar Vino, and Almost’a Farm for contributing food, beverages, and styling elements for the Mahjong gathering featured in this story.