This week we're welcoming the three sisters behind Lucky Daughters, Linda, Nina, and Thuy, who grew up with Mahjong as the glue that kept their family gathered around the table. The three Vietnamese-Chinese-American sisters have created Mahjong tile sets and accessories that are Asian-led and story driven, meant to be passed down as treasured heirlooms. Tile talk dives into family business, Mahjong popularity, and what's next for these super creative an fun sisters!

luckydaughters.com

Drink: Guest Choice : Apple Butter Margarita

Reposado tequila, apple butter syrup, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, an apple pie rim, and garnished with apple slices and cinnamon sticks

WHAT’S BLOWIN IN THE WIND?

American Mah Jongg is headed to Vegas, baby! The 11th annual Mah Jongg World Championship kicks off October 16 at Paris Las Vegas—and this thing is SOLD OUT. Players will compete in 12 rounds over three days for what organizers are calling the largest prize purse in American Mah Jongg history, including a $5,000 grand prize. And apparently you can even earn a Golden Ticket by placing in a qualifying NMJL tournament. Elizabeth…how have we not gotten ourselves a Golden Ticket? And if you think one dead hand ruins your night, last year’s World Champion Shelley Hoffman was called dead TWICE during the tournament…and still won the whole thing!

And that’s a mahjong for today’s Talk Talk! Thank you so much for joining us! Until next time, may your tiles be lucky and your table always welcoming!

FEATURED GUEST: Welcome to the table! Lets Mahjong with Molly!

Molly joins us to chat about her Mahjong journey and AMAZING new App Tile Time! One Home for All Your Mahjong Needs!

Find instructors, play with friends, join events, and see your overall standings - all in one place, without needing multiple apps.

tiletime.co

@mahjongmolly

DIY Drink - Vegan white Russian: chilled Vodka of choice, Kahlua, Mooala milk, over ice with dash of nutmeg (mooala.com)

Guest Drink- 1 part teq/ ½ orange liq/½ fresh lime juice

Save when you Shop with Tile Talk!

WHAT’S BLOWIN IN THE WIND?

ParisMahjClub - had a post on the mysterious workings of the NML:

Inspired by the rumor the card price may be going up next year ($15 to $16-18) she did a DEEP dive:

instagram.com

Molly dives into her Mahjong past, present, and very exciting future with us!

Tile Tips!

Molly dishes on what to do when you have a hand you cannot win! "Dogging" your tiles!?

TILE TALK EPISODE 16: Mahjong Goes Couture: Meet Caroline Johnson of Mahj Tile Haus!

Today we’re sitting down with Caroline Johnson, the woman behind Mahj Tile Haus - where mahjong meets high fashion, and the table becomes the runway. Caroline, welcome to Tile Talk!

HOW’S EVERYONE DOING? Hair cuts, fantasy football, bringing new players into Mahjong! Dont fight it!

HH Drink - Matcha Mai Thai

WHAT’S BLOWIN IN THE WIND?

Apparently mahjong is moving out of our living rooms—and getting its own address!

We’re talking dedicated mahjong parlors, studios , lounges and social clubs - they’re popping up around the country, and y'all, these aren't just rooms with four card tables

One end of the spectrum: Charlotte's Heron House opened this summer in a 3,000-square-foot historic home. You can drop in and play for $25. multiple individually designed rooms, a boutique, lessons and events. And you don't need to be a member: $25 gets you in to play.

Mid Spectrum: In San Antonio, The Polished Tile has opened inside a restored historic mansion, with memberships up to $225 a month.

Other end of spectrum: And then there's The Hidden Parlor outside Boston—a private mahjong society with a country-chic dress code and a top membership tier of $4,000 a year. It's intentionally secretive. The exact address is shared privately with members/serious prospects. There's a “country chic” dress code. Athletic/overly casual clothing is discouraged. Members can come to play—or apparently just hang out, read or knit. And its top East Society membership is currently listed at $4,000 annually.

GUEST & TOPIC: ALL THINGS CAROLINE / MAHJ TILE HAUS

-Caroline, your career path is WILD—professional photographer, New York Fashion Week, Fortune 10 healthcare executive…and now founder of a luxury mahjong brand. Give us the Cliff's Notes version of how we got from there to Mahj Tile Haus.

IMPERIAL LOTUS & HONORING MAHJONG'S ROOTS

-Your newest Imperial Lotus collection, which we're obsessed with, feels different from your other collections because you very intentionally went back toward Chinese imagery and heritage. Where did the idea come from?

-Put your Fortune 10 executive hat back on for us. What do you think is happening with American mahjong right now? Is this a trend—or are we watching a permanent cultural shift? Behavioral shift?!

TILE TIPS: THE JOKER SWAP!

SIGNOFF

Thank you for joining us today, CAROLINE!

And that’s a mahjong for today’s Talk Talk! Thank you so much for joining us! Until next time, may your tiles be lucky and your table always welcoming!

Welcome to the 15th Episode of Tile Talk! We are so excited to continue our American Mahjong History Series. Episode 9 was Part 1, now we dive deeper into "Bad Boy Babcock" and how Mahjong stormed into the Amercian scene in the 1920s!

Checking in with everyone: Marshall is buying a new house! Elizabeth and Christina played Mahjong at the FSU tailgate! Hayward House drink: Mocktail! Ginger beer, fresh mint, splash of pineapple, and lots of ice! haywardhousetlh.com

Blowing in the Wind

We love Dolly! We Dolly and relate her life and spirit to the game of Mahjong! Black Dragon Controversy - Proposed by prominent player and expert Gladys Grad (codified the Siamese Mahjong card), the concept suggests using blank tiles designated as "Black Dragons" to pair specifically with the dot suit - Soaps are just 0s (Christie B, a Greesnsboro Instructor - Sparrow and dragon, breaks it down nicely on Instagam) instagram.com check out Missy Mahjongs post: missymahjong.com has free stickers for blanks = 156 tiles, east adds four tiles to their wall. Thoughts?!? I think I would try it with Siamese? LOTS of thoughts on MJTI! facebook.com

Main Topic: The REAL History of American Mahjong, Part 2: Opium, Babcock, and “The Red Book”

How did Joseph Babcock aquire, learn, and bring Mahjong back to the states? What were the driving cultural influences of the time? How did he market, sell and produce his first books and sets? How did this shape the game we know and love today?

Tile Tips for this Episode feature tips for Charleston domination

filtering them first. The player sitting across from you is statistically the most likely to be chasing the exact same hand family - this weekend Christina and I were sitting across and went for the same hand! Pay close attention to the difference between what they passed you in the First Across (the 2nd pass of the game) versus the Second Across (the 5th pass of the game). Play the courtesy pass accordingly!

And that’s a mahjong for today’s Talk Talk! Thank you so much for joining us! Until next time, may your tiles be lucky and your table always welcoming!

Love you bye!

This super fun and colorful Episode features Mischief Mahj founder Roxy Corbet! It is a fun new twist to add to your Mahjong repertoire! The same American Mahjong gameplay and rules, just add twists and turns to elevate your play or spice up your next Mahjong event! Thank you Roxy, use code TILETALK and it will get your listeners 10% off their online purchase! mischiefmahj.com

Carajillo beverage from Hayward House: 2 oz. of cold brew, 2 oz. Liquer 43 (Sweet Spanish liqueur), pour over ice and garnish with coffee beans - DELISH!

Blowing in the Wind

We dish on funny things you hear at the Mahjong table - post from Gold Coast Mahjong (instagram.com)

New Disney princess tiles from the Noble Collection! noblecollection.com

Elizabeth shares a tip for rooting Hydrangeas from Anya the Garden fairy! facebook.com

Check out Tile Tips at the end of the Episode for some stealth moves for "spying" on your opponents and gaining the upper hand during the Charleston!

@tiletalk_

haywardhousetlh.com

Tile Talk gets ready for back to school! We explore ways to teach and play with kids! We also welcome back to Alice Hopkins, an Elementary school counselor, to explore the benefits of playing with the whole family!

Thank you sooooo much to Bam Lets Mahjong for the beautiful Palm Royale Set AND a new Siamese rack we cant wait to try!

Jimmy Fallon loves Mahjong!?! Hilarious clip in Blowing in the Wind

facebook.com

Solitaire Mahjong is a great way to start with children. We model how to set up and play a simple Solitaire game to help gain tile recognition. Learning the tiles before diving in to Mahjong and card will help kids (or anyone) - learn the language and the comprehension will come!

bamletsmahjong.com

Mini Mahjer is a great resource. Alice has a set in her office at school!

minimahjer.com

Tile Talk interviews the lovely ladies of American Mahjong Ranking Authority. We are talking to Bethany Factor and Amanda Wolsey, co founders of AMR Authority and The Mahj Clubhouse in Fort Worth, TX. They explain the many ways tracking and ranking our play can improve our game play and our game experience! From how AMR can elevate casual play with friends to streamlining tournaments, Tile Talk was extremely impressed and excited to add to our Mahjong Routine!

amrauthority.com

Whats Blowing in the Wind?

Mahjong Ritual - New "Research" just dropped:

The Unexpected Way Mahjong Purchases Break the Law of Diminishing Returns

“A brief quantitative analysis of why one more mat is almost always justified”

@mahjongritual

The Mahjong League National Championship is making its debut!

January 30, 2027

Montage Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, SC - Brackets, More details to come!

themahjongleague.org

They did it! 48 hours of American Mahjong!

mahjlife.com

Learn how to play American Mahjong for money. Predominantly centered around NMJL doctrine, while exploring house rules and variations of playing for money. We check in with Christina after her FAB Italian Family Extravaganza - Liz and Marshall get hooked up! Yummm! Marshall has big things coming his way this summer and a HUGE insight into the "48" MJTI mystery! Blowing In the Wind - American Mahjong Marathon

mahjlife.com

48! Jan is playing mahjong for 48 hours to break the Guiness World Record and raise money for hunger relief and alzheimers advocacy.

Summerville, SC

June 28-30th beginning at noon

Players: Jan Egri (administrator of Mahjong, That’s It! And director and co-owner of the Mother Of All Dragons tournaments), Jennifer Clayton (co-owner of Mah Jongg Fever Inc.), Nancy de Zutter (founder of Cane Bay Mahjong in SC and an instructor in the Mahj Life Instructor Guild), and Michele Frizzell (founder of Mahj Life)

@reauxgnola

AMAZING Mahjong Jewelry and custom beaded eyewear by our good friends at reauxgnola!

simonandschuster.com

Super cute new bar book on Mahojong and Mixers!

We go into the rules and strategy of playing Mahjong (American Mahjong) for money!

Tile Talk kicks it up a notch to mark Episode 10, with fun guests and a topic everyone can celebrate: The Mental Health benefits that come from playing Mahjong! What happens to our brains? How can it help us socially, developmentally, with depression, ward off dementia, etc. Alice Hopkins, a counselor and avid Mahjong player, details all of the health benefits and cognitive function that playing Mahjong can bring!

Tile Talk welcomes our favorite bartender from Hayward House Bistro! Thank you Mat for a FABULOUS Cold Brew-Tini! We love Mat!

haywardhousetlh.com

Blowing in the Wind: "Why We Mahjong" by Emilie Rabke/Lauren Wilson

A beautiful coffee table book derived of touching stories on how Mahjong has impacted peoples lives! #whywemahj

instagram.com

Christina introduces a cool app to help plan, organize, and streamline group Mahjong play! check out Mahjy!

mahjy.com

Tile Tips: How to play Mahjong like a pro! Tips to fake it until you make it and beyond!

How, when, and who brought Mahjong to America and how has it evolved since. We discuss the origin of American Mahjong and how it has shaped cultures and communities around the World. This is part one of a historical series we will roll out through the Tile Talk Season.

mahjboutique.com

missmahjong.com

mahjboutique.com

shop.app

Tile Talk explains all the ways your hand can be rendered "dead" in American Mahjong. How can a hand die? Who can call a hand dead? When should you call a hand dead? How can you play the best defensive game if your hand is no longer with us! Lets get into an inevitable part of the game and elevate your DEAD play!

Tile Talk does a deep dive on how to play Mahjong with less than four players. We discuss Siamese games with two players and BOB/wall options for three players, all through National Mahjong League Rules, Mahjong Masters, and even house rule variations.

mahjongg.org/siamese-rules

haywardhousetlh.com

bubbemj.blogspot.com

nationalmahjonggleague.org

Tile Talk breaks down the 2026 National Mahjong League card! We talk standout hands, patterns, stats, pivots, and get creative with Codenames! Help us celebrate the new 2026 season of American Mahjong! Post or comment any Codenames you come up with - Thanks for the great idea Bubbe!

We also dive into the hype around the OMM Masters tile set only available at the event! Crazy resale value!

Email her to order yours today! bubbefischer@gmail.com

(Tile Talk Listeners: 10% OFF for one, 20% OFF two or more!)

Karen's books: ”Searching for Bubbe Fischer”,”Small World”, ”Take Two”, ”Ellen, Discovered”

Bubbe's Mah Jongg Blog: bubbemj.blogspot.com

haywardhousetlh.com

facebook.com/groups/MahJonggThatsIt

tigredetartan.com

10% OFF with code: TILETALK

Hayward House Bistro

A downtown Tallahassee Bistro featuring local traditions, globally inspired flavors, on a downtown corner in Tallahassee.

linktr.ee/tiletalk

The 2026 card is here and we are diving in with the one and only Karen Gooen. AKA BUBBE FISCHER!

**If you weren’t born with a mahjong playing Bubbe, look no further! Karen Gooen, Mahjong Guru, Author, Speaker - is Bubbe to all! She does a fabulous card analysis each year, helping thousands of players decode the new lines. This year she has agreed to join us on Tile Talk to share her insights with all of you!

Karen's books: ”Searching for Bubbe Fischer”,”Small World”, ”Take Two”, ”Ellen, Discovered”

Email her to order yours today! bubbefischer@gmail.com

(Tile Talk Listeners: 10% OFF for one, 20% OFF two or more!)

Bubbe's Mah Jongg Blog: bubbemj.blogspot.com

haywardhousetlh.com

facebook.com/groups/MahJonggThatsIt

Hayward House Bistro

A downtown Tallahassee Bistro featuring local traditions, globally inspired flavors, on a downtown corner in Tallahassee.

linktr.ee/tiletalk

🀄 Tile Talk Ep. 4 | Dominique Messor Schmidt: Building The Mahjong League & Mrs. Mahjong Brand

linktr.ee/tiletalk

What does it take to turn a passion for Mahjong into a nationwide movement? In this episode of Tile Talk, hosts Christina and Elizabeth sit down with Dominique Messor Schmidt — founder of The Mahjong League and the creative force behind Mrs. Mahjong — to talk about her incredible journey from beginner to certified instructor to league organizer.

Whether you're a seasoned Mahjong player or just discovered the game, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and practical tips.

📌 In This Episode

How Dominique learned American Mahjong just six years ago and built a brand around it

The strategy behind launching and scaling The Mahjong League across the country

Why Mahjong is having a major cultural moment — especially with millennials and Gen Z

A simple, fun method for teaching kids to play Mahjong

🎙️ About Tile Talk Tile Talk is the podcast for American Mahjong lovers — from curious beginners to competitive players. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe so you never miss a tile drop!

@tiletalk

facebook.com

facebook.com/groups/MahJonggThatsIt

themahjongleague.org

youtube.com

pawleysislandmahjong.com

@smahjongs

Christina, Elizabeth, & Marshall are back with Episode 3 of Tile Talk. This Episode goes beyond the basics of American Mahjong and delves into lesser known, yet very important, rules and game play.

🀄 Advanced American Mahjong Rules You Didn't Know | Tile Talk Podcast

facebook.com/groups/MahJonggThatsIt

linktr.ee/tiletalk

Think you know all the rules? Think again. In this episode of Tile Talk, Christina, Elizabeth, and Marshall break down some of the most misunderstood and lesser-known rules of American Mahjong — perfect for beginners looking to level up AND seasoned players who want to sharpen their game.

📌 What's Covered in This Episode

🔹 Charleston Rules (21:51) — When can you actually stop the Charleston? The answer might surprise you. 🔹 Committing to a Call (24:11) — When are you truly locked in? Learn exactly when a call becomes binding. 🔹 Exposed Tiles Order (24:43) — Courtesy vs. rule. What you're actually required to do with your rack. 🔹 Discarding a Joker (30:32) — The right way to call it out at the table. 🔹 Joker Exchanges (32:40) — Why you might not want to swap a joker (strategic reasons inside!). 🔹 Killing a Discarded Tile (34:31) — Three situations where a tile goes dead and can't be picked up. 🔹 Displaced Wall Tiles (43:10) — The rule that surprises nearly every player coming from card games. 🔹 Dead Hands (52:58) — What to do when your hand is cooked — and why you pivot instead of folding.

Whether you play with family, at a club, or in competitive settings, knowing these nuanced rules will make you a more confident and strategic American Mahjong player.

🎙️ Tile Talk is your go-to podcast for everything American Mahjong — from beginner basics to advanced strategy, etiquette, and everything in between.

Tile Talk discusses Mahjong Manners, rules, faux pas, etiquette, and recent news surrounding the Mahjong community. Christina is back with her expertise, Elizabeth is recovering from Mardi Gras, and Marshall has a special encounter to share! We also check out the Barbara Marjain saga! Get ready to laugh and learn!

linktr.ee/tiletalk

Welcome back to Tile Talk with Christina, Elizabeth, and Marshall — the Mahjong podcast and YouTube channel where we talk everything tiles, table talk, and the community we all love! Today we're diving DEEP into Mahjong etiquette and manners — the unwritten (and sometimes written!) rules that make every game more enjoyable for everyone at the table.

Think Mahjong etiquette doesn't matter? Think again! Christina, Elizabeth, and Marshall break down the unwritten rules of the Mahjong table — from the Charleston to calling tiles, handling a faux jong, and everything in between. Whether you're a Mahjong beginner or a seasoned player, good manners make every game better.

In this episode: We're covering our favorite Mahjong tablescape featuring Soho mats, birdie tiles, and iridescent racks from Miss Maine, plus our go-to Old Fashioned cocktail recipe. Then we dive into the viral Barbara TikTok Mahjong drama — where a player got kicked out of her group for breaking etiquette — and what we can all learn from it.

Our biggest etiquette pet peeves? Analysis paralysis slowing down the game, too much talking during active play, and players who can't win or lose graciously. We also cover the right way to call a tile, how to handle snacks and drinks at the table, why you MUST set house rules before the game starts, and the proper Charleston technique for new players.

Plus — what actually happens during a faux jong, and how to handle it with grace on both sides of the table.

Whether you play American Mahjong with the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) card or you're just learning how to play Mahjong for the first time, this episode will make you a better player AND a better table mate.

Introduction to Tile Talk with Christina, Elizabeth, and Marshall. We dive into world and culture of American Mahjong.

Welcome to the very first episode of Tile Talk — your new favorite Mahjong podcast! Join hosts Christina, Elizabeth, and Marshall as they introduce themselves, share how they each fell in love with American Mahjong, and kick off what's going to be your go-to channel for everything Mahjong.

In this episode: Christina shares her journey to becoming a Mahjong teacher and league runner, Elizabeth opens up about her love of games and learning Mahjong, and Marshall explains how his family brought him into the world of tiles. Together they answer the question every new player gets asked: "What IS Mahjong?" — and each host gives their own take, from "order from chaos" to the perfect elevator pitch for non-players.

We also introduce Mrs. Mahjong's Magical Tile Spritz — a jasmine-scented tile cleaner with germ-reducing properties that every Mahjong player needs in their bag. Stick around for an exclusive discount code!

Then Christina breaks down Mahjong strategy for the 2025 NMJL card, covering "like numbers" and pivots — a must-watch segment for anyone trying to find winning hands faster and play smarter this year.

Plus we're teasing upcoming episodes on the mental health benefits of Mahjong, new Mahjong cards, racism and cultural appropriation in Mahjong, tournament play, house rules, and etiquette. You will NOT want to miss what's coming.

Mrs. Mahjong's Magical Tile Spritz

Mahjong Tile cleaner from The Mahjong League