Tile Talk

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the 15th Episode of Tile Talk! We are so excited to continue our American Mahjong History Series. Episode 9 was Part 1, 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! https://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) https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcvszGcOx9_/?igsi=aWdzbTZia2J6M3RlAlso check out Missy Mahjongs post: https://www.missymahjong.com/post/the-black-dragon-mahjong-tileGladys 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!https://www.facebook.com/groups/MahJonggThatsIt/posts/28677793245172149/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!

Send us Fan Mail 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 Table Scape: beautiful confetti tiles from Mahj Boutique! https://mahjpit.co/collections 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 (https://www.instagram.com/p/DbWmqAIFHTe/) New Disney princess tiles from the Noble Collection! https://noblecollection.com/Item--i-GAM-DI-4842?srsltid=AfmBOor8UB7G6_2tq7l_O0to7vUBiJwzKDMiK_FSEn4lswb2aNamQr4E Elizabeth shares a tip for rooting Hydrangeas from Anya the Garden fairy! https://www.facebook.com/anyathegardenfairy/videos/multiply-hydrangeas-to-make-more-free-plants-for-your-garden-do-it-between-late-/1360752332564097/ 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! https://www.instagram.com/tiletalk_/ https://haywardhousetlh.com/

Send us Fan Mail 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! ⁠https://www.bamletsmahjong.com/products/the-palm-royale-tile-collection-pre-order?variant=45502168105118⁠ Jimmy Fallon loves Mahjong!?! Hilarious clip in Blowing in the Wind ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/MahJonggThatsIt/posts/28250820731202738/⁠⁠  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!  https://www.bamletsmahjong.com/products/the-palm-royale-tile-collection-pre-order?variant=45502168105118 Mini Mahjer is a great resource. Alice has a set in her office at school! https://minimahjer.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorwCAW0tHWLDOcoqUyb312VZ3mIZtZjdFS3HWC8mRUS42V2u7OB

Send us Fan Mail 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!  https://www.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” https://www.instagram.com/mahjongritual/ The Mahjong League National Championship is making its debut! January 30, 2027Montage Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, SC - Brackets, More details to come!https://themahjongleague.org/ They did it! 48 hours of American Mahjong!  https://mahjlife.com/48-hour-mah-jongg-world-record-attempt/

Send us Fan Mail 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 https://mahjlife.com/events/mah-jongg-marathon-world-record-attempt/ 48! Jan is playing mahjong for 48 hours to break the Guiness World Record and raise money for hunger relief and alzheimers advocacy. Summerville, SCJune 28-30th beginning at noonPlayers: 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)https://www.instagram.com/reauxgnola/ AMAZING Mahjong Jewelry and custom beaded eyewear by our good friends at reauxgnola!  https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Mahj-+-Mix/Megan-Sinclair-Osmundsen/9798881608231 Super cute new bar book on Mahojong and Mixers! We go into the rules and strategy of playing Mahjong (American Mahjong) for money!

Send us Fan Mail Tile Talk steps it up 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! https://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  https://www.instagram.com/p/DYPVAXhRIHX/ Christina introduces a cool app to help plan, organize, and streamline group Mahjong play! check out Mahjy! https://www.mahjy.com/ Tile Tips: How to play Mahjong like a pro! Tips to fake it until you make it and beyond! 

Send us Fan Mail 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.

Send us Fan Mail 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! https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-hormuz-sailors-ships-stranded-07f792a7

Send us Fan Mail 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.  https://mahjongg.org/siamese-rules/ https://haywardhousetlh.com/ https://bubbemj.blogspot.com/ https://www.nationalmahjonggleague.org/

Send us Fan Mail 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! Hayward House BistroA downtown Tallahassee Bistro overlooking the capital featuring local traditions and global flavorsBubbe Fischer Karen Gooen is Bubbe Fischer! Our Mah Jongg Jedi Master full of insight through her books and blog!Tigre De TartanUse code "Tiletalk" at checkout for 10% off any order! Mah Jongg Thats It!Facebook group dedicated to American Mahjong culture and game playDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail 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” (Tile Talk Listeners: 10% OFF for one, 20% OFF two or more!) Email her to order yours today! [email protected] Bubbe's Mah Jongg Blog: https://bubbemj.blogspot.com/ https://haywardhousetlh.com/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/MahJonggThatsIt/ Hayward House BistroA downtown Tallahassee Bistro overlooking the capital featuring local traditions and global flavorsDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail 🀄 Tile Talk Ep. 4 | Dominique Messor Schmidt: Building The Mahjong League & Mrs. Mahjong Brand 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 itThe strategy behind launching and scaling The Mahjong League across the countryWhy Mahjong is having a major cultural moment — especially with millennials and Gen ZA simple, fun method for teaching kids to play MahjongAmerican Mahjong, Mahjong League, learn Mahjong, Mahjong for beginners, Mrs. Mahjong, Mahjong community, Mahjong podcast, how to play Mahjong, Mahjong instructor, Mahjong for kids, Mahjong resurgence, Tile Talk podcast 🎙️ 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! 👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe https://www.instagram.com/tiletalk https://www.facebook.com/people/Tile-Talk/61552237558849/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/MahJonggThatsIt/ https://themahjongleague.org/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzS5MeQFmNFLIw4omqJpEYA https://www.instagram.com/smahjongs/ https://pawleysislandmahjong.com/ Hayward House BistroA downtown Tallahassee Bistro overlooking the capital featuring local traditions and global flavorsMrs. Mahjong's Magical Tile SpritzMahjong Tile cleaner from The Mahjong LeagueDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail 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 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. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MahJonggThatsIt/ 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. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes and hit the bell so you never miss a drop! #AmericanMahjong #MahjongRules #MahjongStrategy #MahjongPodcast #TileTalk #MahjongTips #LearnMahjong #MahjongBeginners #MahjongCommunity #BoardGames #CardGames #MahjongNation Keywords: american mahjong rules, mahjong charleston rules, mahjong joker exchange, mahjong dead hand, how to play american mahjong, mahjong tips and strategy, mahjong podcast, tile talk podcast, mahjong for beginners, advanced mahjong rules A few notes on the SEO strategy used here: the episode title and first lines front-load the primary keyword ("American Mahjong Rules") since YouTube weights early text heavily. Each timestamped section doubles as a keyword anchor. The hashtags mix high-volume tags (#AmericanMahjong, #LearnMahjong) with niche community tags (#MahjongNation, #TileTalk) to capture both broad search traffic and loyal followers. The hidden keyword line at the bottom targets long-tail search queries without cluttering the visible description. Hayward House BistroA downtown Tallahassee Bistro overlooking the capital featuring local traditions and global flavorsTigre De TartanUse code "Tiletalk" at checkout for 10% off any order! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail 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 SpritzMahjong Tile cleaner from The Mahjong LeagueDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us Fan Mail 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! 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. #Mahjong #MahjongEtiquette #HowToPlayMahjong #MahjongTips #AmericanMahjong #MahjongCommunity #MahjongBeginners #NationalMahJonggLeague #NMJL #MahjongTiles #MahjongSet #MahjongLife #TileTalk #MahjongPodcast #MahjongNight #LearnMahjong #FauxJong #TheCharleston #MahjongRules #MahjongTablescape #MahjongAccessories #MahjongHumor #MahjongDrama #MahjongTikTok #MahjongGroup #MahjongHostess #MahjongForBeginners #MahjongStrategy #MahJongg #MahjongLove