Mahjong Workshop for Beginners

Start from scratch! This engaging class is specially designed for those with no prior experience in American Mahjong. To begin, participants will be introduced to the tiles, learning how each one plays a unique role in the game. Next, we’ll move on to the NMJL (National Mah Jongg League) Card, which will be explained in detail to help everyone understand how hands are formed and scored.

After that, we’ll transition into learning how to deal, step by step, so that every player feels confident setting up a game correctly. Then, the class will explore The Charleston, a fun and distinctive tile-exchange process that adds strategy and excitement to play.

Finally, to bring all these new skills together, we’ll wrap up by playing a full game! This hands-on experience allows participants to practice what they’ve learned in a friendly, supportive setting—making it the perfect introduction to American Mahjong.

Caroline Larew:  Caroline Larew is an American Mahjong instructor in the northern suburbs of Chicago and the founder of  Windy City Mahjong. Drawn to the game for its blend of strategy and camaraderie, she loves how it offers both a mental challenge and a reason to spend time with friends.

Caroline brings a strong professional foundation to Windy City Mahjong, shaped by years in finance and investing. After earning her MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, she built a career in private equity before an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis led her to rethink her priorities. Now healthy and cancer-free, Caroline has found renewed purpose in teaching and building community through Mahjong — a space where strategy, connection, and joy intersect.

A mother of three, she can often be found cruising around the suburbs in her minivan full of kids, on the pickleball court, sharing coffee with friends, or hunting for hidden gems at estate sales.