Mah Jongg Madness

Sun Oct 05 2025 at 02:00 pm to 05:00 pm UTC-07:00

International Hotel Manilatown Center | San Francisco

Manilatown Heritage Foundation
Publisher/HostManilatown Heritage Foundation
Mah Jongg Madness
Advertisement
Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Mah Jongg. Join us at the International Hotel Manilatown Center.
About this Event

Chess is stern, Checkers is a bit dotty, and Scrabble tends to be wordy. But Mah Jongg is seductive. From the tiles' rich luster and the game's challenging nature to its enigmatic history and magical power to unite people, Mah Jongg is not just a game! It is a way of life—a stylish one at that.


For non-Chinese speakers, there’s a thrilling and romantic appeal in calling out words like Pung, Kong, and Chow during play. For Chinese people, it’s a connection to a rich social and cultural history. And for everyone, it’s an opportunity to bring together family, friends, and a wider community.



Mah Jongg: The Game of One Hundred Bits of Intelligence

Organizers of the first-ever World Championship in Mah Jongg, held in Tokyo in 2002, estimate that close to five million people in countries all over the world play this challenging game.

For younger players, this multicultural aspect is as intriguing as the game itself. Students from all over the world bridge cultural gaps through on-campus tournaments and exchanges, where Midwestern athletes sit across from Southeast Asian engineers, and young Japanese women chow, pung, kong, and whip the pants off their Dutch opponents.



Filipinos and Mah Jongg

The Mah Jongg craze in the Philippines is a phenomenon. Played in the high-heeled mansions of the wealthy and in barangays and squatter areas of every major city, Mah Jongg unites people from all walks of life. Next to jai-alai and basketball, it’s a game where people place their money where their mouth is, showcasing skill and challenge.

Filipino immigrants brought Mah Jongg to the United States, carrying sets as precious belongings. Establishing quorums of four players, they kept the tradition alive and thriving.



Join us for Mah Jongg Madness! If you’re eager to learn and eventually organize your own quorum, the Manilatown Heritage Foundation offers a series of classes for beginners at the I-Hotel Manilatown Center.



Mah Jongg Madness Class with Four Lessons Begins October 5th

Lesson/Week 1: Learn the symbolism of the tiles, how to scrabble them after each game, and how to build a tile wall. Discover the proper Mah Jongg etiquette and the delightful sideline food that accompanies the game.

Lesson/Week 2: Master different Mah Jongg combinations, both 'Simple' and 'Ambitious.' Understand the role of non-numbered tiles like the Winds, Red and Green Dragon, and Flower tiles.

Lesson/Week 3: Review what we’ve learned and play an actual game!

Lesson/Week 4: Enjoy a potluck, play Mah Jongg, and prepare for a Mah Jongg tournament!



Sign Up Today!

Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Mah Jongg. Join us at the Manilatown Heritage Foundation and become part of a vibrant community of enthusiasts.


Sundays, 2-5PM

Lesson/Week 1 - October 5th

Lesson/Week 2 - October 12th

Lesson/Week 3 - October 19th

Lesson/Week 4 - October 26th

FREE Practice Session - November 2nd

FREE Practice Session - November 9th


Register now for all four sessions!

Learn more at https://www.manilatown.org

Fee: $50 (Total cost for all 4 Classes)

Class sizes are limited to 20 students.

Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

International Hotel Manilatown Center, 868 Kearny Street, San Francisco, United States

Tickets

USD 55.20

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in San Francisco

Exercise and Aging Workshop \u2013 from a Yoga Perspective
Sun, 05 Oct at 01:00 pm Exercise and Aging Workshop – from a Yoga Perspective

770 Dolores St, San Francisco, CA, United States, California 94110

San Francisco Fleet Week 2025 | October 5\u201313
Sun, 05 Oct at 01:00 pm San Francisco Fleet Week 2025 | October 5–13

San Francisco Fleet Week

Forever in Style: A Celebration of Silver Lucy
Sun, 05 Oct at 01:00 pm Forever in Style: A Celebration of Silver Lucy

Dolores Park, San Francisco

BAYNK - SENESCENCE DJ TOUR @ Phoenix Hotel
Sun, 05 Oct at 01:00 pm BAYNK - SENESCENCE DJ TOUR @ Phoenix Hotel

The Phoenix Hotel

Tech Burrito Party
Sun, 05 Oct at 01:00 pm Tech Burrito Party

Mission Dolores Park

LATE CHECK OUT - ROOFTOP PARTY
Sun, 05 Oct at 01:00 pm LATE CHECK OUT - ROOFTOP PARTY

Cavaña

A Conversation with Kamala Harris
Sun, 05 Oct at 03:00 pm A Conversation with Kamala Harris

The Masonic

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Sun, 05 Oct at 03:00 pm The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

San Francisco Playhouse

Workshop: Financial Literacy
Sun, 05 Oct at 03:00 pm Workshop: Financial Literacy

North Beach Library

San Francisco is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore San Francisco Events