Mahjong: The Oldest, Newest Craze on the Gulf Coast

Big Buzz Blog - August 2026

Everything old is new again, and the newest sensation is this 19th-century Chinese tile game. The draw? An opportunity for social interaction that mobile device games cannot provide.

- by Heather Dubuisson

Mahmoud Yahyaoui | Pexels

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If you’ve looked around recently, you may have noticed Mahjong being played somewhere around you. From tournaments and social meetups to pool parties, this centuries-old game is the latest craze sweeping the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We wanted to find out why, so we reached out to Amy Echols, founder of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Mahjong League, to see what all the buzz is about.
 

 
Dating back to around 1850 in the Yangtze River delta, Mahjong quickly evolved into a national pastime and swept across China. Through businessmen and expats, Mahjong made its way to America In the 1920s, and in 2024 it caught on like wildfire across the nation, particularly here on the Coast.
 

 
On a quick trip to Houston to see family, Amy went to a Mahjong game with her sister and saw just enough to be hooked. After returning home to Waveland, she wanted to find out more. Reaching out to Oh My Mahjong, she was able to find a teacher - in Fairhope, Alabama. The caveat was that she needed twelve people to agree to make the drive with her, and Amy was new to the Gulf Coast. She reached out to her neighbors and their friends to see if they would be interested in playing; some neighbors recruited friends, and the group grew to twelve! They leaned into the lessons and started a Mahjong group that played every week for almost two years. They knew it was a hit and couldn’t keep it to themselves. Amy decided to get certified as a coach, and that’s when the craze truly began.
 

 
Since starting Geaux Mahjong, Amy has taught over 1,400 people (mostly women) how to play Mahjong. There are many versions of the game, but the one that is most commonly played around here is American Mahjong, which requires specific tiles. According to Amy, it’s not difficult to learn, with a similar objective of rummy or poker. The primary draw is definitely the social aspect. “When we play Mahjong, we put our phones down,” reports Amy. In a society of texting, liking, and sharing, this game takes players back to a simpler time, and sitting around a kitchen (or card) table with friends.
 

 
Groups are popping up everywhere, from Midtown Pharmacy to the Driftwood Hotel pool. There are leagues that range from social to competitive tournaments. Some spots, such as the Waveland Library, even offer free community games.
 
Back in March, Amy even attended a seven-day Mahjong cruise to Belize. “My goal was to spread Mahjong as a community across the Gulf Coast of Mississippi,” she said. “I feel like I can check off that box.”
 

 
According to Amy, here is what you need to know:
 
Amy recommends taking at least one lesson (she charges $65) to get the basics down. American Mahjong is played with four players. Play starts with 13 tiles, and additional tiles are drawn and discarded until you can match one of the hands shown on your Mahjong card (each player is required to purchase their own Mahjong card for around $15). While you don’t have to own a set to play in a group, if you would like one, they can be found at Midtown Pharmacy in Bay St. Louis, home of league play on Mondays. However, not all tile sets are created equal. Some sets are for different versions of Mahjong, so before you invest, double check that you are getting the full set of American tiles. Don’t know the difference? Amy is happy to help!
 

Ryo Tanaka | Unsplash

 
“It’s four people sitting around a table sharing conversations and really building friendships and community,” said Amy. And from what I can see, community is the foundation of this game. Whether you are new to Mahjong or have played for years, it’s a safe bet to say there’s somewhere for you to play on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

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