Play Mahjong!: An All-Levels Guide to American Mahjong

by Alyssa Gross

*As featured in Goop, Oprah Daily, and People*

Take a deep dive into the culture and strategies of the addictive game of American Mahjong!

Mahjong is an intellectually stimulating game of strategy that can sharpen the minds of people of all ages as it brings them together. Play Mahjong! is your comprehensive guide to the American version of the game, packed with interactive step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, tricks, and fun facts designed to enhance your playing experience. This entertaining and immersive look into mahjong also explores the rich history and cultural significance of the game and its ability to build a community among players. Author Alyssa Gross, founder of The Mahjong Society, covers a variety of topics,

The history and evolution of mahjongThe meaning of the tiles and how to set up the gameProper mahjong etiquetteDifferent strategies and ways to playHow to read your opponents...and more!
Vibrant colors and eye-catching illustrations make this a beautiful gift book for any mahjong enthusiast. Whether you’re a first-time player or an expert looking to refine your techniques, Play Mahjong! is your companion to mastering mahjong.

181 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

Alyssa Gross is a mahjong instructor and player based in Chicago, Illinois. Originally from Texas, she discovered mahjong while living in Dallas and quickly became hooked on the game in the years post-COVID. After relocating to Chicago in 2023, Alyssa began teaching mahjong informally through local meetups, which led to the launch of her business, The Mahjong Society. Today, The Mahjong Society offers private lessons, events, and pop-ups across the city, creating space for people to learn, connect, and play. When she’s not teaching mahjong, Alyssa is a home decor enthusiast, voracious reader, and proud cat mom to a one-eyed rescue named Pirate. You can follow her on Instagram at @alyssabeth.g and keep up with The Mahjong Society at @themahjsociety.

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

For context, I’m Chinese American, and I’m honestly still uncertain how I feel about this book. On one hand, Play Mahjong! by Alyssa Gross is an approachable, easy-to-follow guide to American-style mahjong. It’s visually inviting, well-organized, and perfect for beginners who want to learn the rules, etiquette, and strategies of the game. I also appreciated that it includes a section on mahjong’s history and how it was brought to America, which helps new readers understand its broader cultural context.

At the same time, I found myself feeling conflicted. The author, a white woman who founded The Mahjong Society in Chicago and is particularly popular within the Jewish community. She clearly has a genuine passion for the game. Still, I couldn’t shake the tension between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation that surrounds the American mahjong community. Gross does acknowledge the game’s Chinese origins, but it felt more introductory than reflective. I wanted a deeper recognition of mahjong’s place in Chinese and Asian American culture, especially given the ongoing conversations about how the game has been rebranded or “modernized” in the West.

That said, I can see how this book succeeds for its intended audience. It’s accessible, friendly, and not intimidating for someone new to mahjong. It captures the social and fun side of the game that draws so many people in, and I respect that. I just wish it had gone a bit further in centering the voices and stories of the communities that originated the game.

Overall, Play Mahjong! is a solid and beginner-friendly guide, especially if you’re curious about learning American mahjong or joining a social group. But for readers like me who view mahjong as part of our cultural heritage, it may leave you feeling a bit conflicted. Appreciative of the author’s enthusiasm, but wishing for a deeper layer of cultural sensitivity and context.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent instruction, well organized, and pleasingly designed. I’m purchasing it for several friends who want to learn!

[Shelby Rizzuto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an easy fun read! I’m an avid player/host so read it more to see if I was missing anything and I did learn a few things! Loved the history section and the variations section. Great read for beginners or people who play all the time! Planning to bring it with me whenever I host meetups.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been learning how to play Mahjong and found out this book was being release. It is a gem! It explains the origins of Mahjong and how it changed when it came to America. It also explains the tiles and their suites, the NMJL card, building the wall, dealing, the Charleston, game play, and scoring. I read it in a day - it was so good. The illustrations are really helpful and the book is pretty. It’s written beautifully and makes playing Mahjong easier to understand. I bring it with me when I play just it case I need to reference it. Thank you, Alyssa, for writing such a great book! I highly recommend it!

[Lisa Nault · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this gem of a book! Alyssa Gross has taken one of the most complex, layered games in the world and made it feel approachable, elegant, and fun. The writing is clear and thoughtful, the organization seamless, and the illustrations genuinely enhance the learning experience. You can feel the author’s deep knowledge and respect for the history of mahjong in every chapter.

It’s rare to find a book that teaches so well and reads so beautifully. A true testament to the author’s talent, insight, and mastery of the game.

[Trisha Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book is dandy - the game is 🤯