Beginners
How to read the NMJL card
Colors, sections, and the little letters in parentheses. A plain-English guide to this year's card.
Read moreSeattle's American mahjong studio
Learn it. Play it. Love it.
Beginner classes that take you from your first tile to a full game, private lessons for your group, and social open play with sips and snacks. Tiles, mats, and racks are always provided.
Mahjong Mondays · Sunday Socials · Open play weekly
Your Crew
Private group lessons · 4+ players
Featured
Bring your favorite people to the table
Round up three friends (or thirty) and we'll teach your group together. Two cozy classes take you from "which one is a crak?" to calling mahjong like you've been doing it for years.
Two 2.5-hour classes · $80 per person · resource guide included
Have a seat. Let's play.
Whether you've never touched a tile or you're ready for your own table, there's a seat for you.
The BAM Social teaches and hosts American mahjong, played with the official National Mah Jongg League card, in a cozy little studio made for long games and good company. Our instructors keep classes small, our open play is social first, and our shop carries the mats and tiles we play on every week.
Learn
101, 102, 103
A three-step path from tile names to building winning hands. Small groups, all materials provided.
Play
Open play & socials
Social play for confident beginners and seasoned players alike, with light sips and snacks at every session.
Shop
Mats & tiles
Designer tile sets, mats, racks, and this year's NMJL card. Students save 10% on merchandise.
Mahjong Mondays
From first tile to full game in three Mondays.
Take each class on its own, or book the series and save. Every class includes all materials, and Mahjong 101 includes your own NMJL card and a drink.
Week 1 · Mahjong 101Tile names, the NMJL card, basic rules, etiquette, and your first hand.
Week 2 · Mahjong 102The Charleston, recognizing patterns, and reading the table.
Week 3 · Mahjong 103Full gameplay, building winning hands, and strategy.
Full series · $199All three classes. About 20% less than comparable Eastside series.
Lessons & play
Pick your seat
Learning? Join a small group class or book a private lesson for your friends. Already playing? Drop into open play or a Sunday Social.
What's included
- 2-hour class, up to 8 players
- Tile names and suits: bams, cracks, dots, winds, dragons, flowers, jokers
- How to read the 2026 NMJL card
- Building the wall, dealing, and the flow of a turn
- Calling, exposures, jokers, and declaring mahjong
- Etiquette, then your first guided hand
- Your own 2026 NMJL card to keep
- One drink: cocktail, mocktail, wine, beer, or soda
- Tiles, mats, and racks provided
$84Book now
101
Mahjong 101: Intro to American Mahjong
Tile names, how to read the NMJL card, core rules, and etiquette. NMJL card and one drink included.
See what's included
$84 Book
What's included
- 2-hour class for players who've finished 101
- The Charleston step by step, including the courtesy pass
- Recognizing patterns and choosing your hand
- When to switch hands mid-game
- Reading the table and other players' exposures
- Defensive discarding basics
- Guided play with the instructor at your table
- Light sips and snacks
- All materials provided
$60Book now
102
Mahjong 102: Building Skills & Strategy
The Charleston, recognizing patterns, and building winning hands. Light sips and snacks.
See what's included
$60 Book
What's included
- 2-hour class for players who've finished 102
- Play complete games from deal to mahjong
- Hand-by-hand coaching at your table
- Joker strategy and when to call or pass
- Building winning hands under pressure
- Settling up and table scoring
- Graduate ready for Social Open Play
- Light sips and snacks
- All materials provided
$60Book now
103
Mahjong 103: Full Gameplay & Strategy
Play complete games with an instructor at your table, coaching you hand by hand.
See what's included
$60 Book
What's included
- All three classes on consecutive Mondays
- Same small group and instructor throughout
- Your own 2026 NMJL card and a drink at 101
- Light sips and snacks at 102 and 103
- Free Mahjong Resource Guide ($12 value)
- 10% off shop merchandise
- Priority booking for Sunday Socials
- Tiles, mats, and racks provided every week
$199Book now
Series
101 + 102 + 103 Series
All three Monday classes in order, with the same small group. The best value for new players.
See what's included
$199 Book
What's included
- For groups of 4 or more
- Two 2.5-hour classes scheduled around your group
- Class 1: tiles, the NMJL card, rules, and etiquette
- Class 2: the Charleston, strategy, and full gameplay
- Your group's own instructor the whole time
- Mahjong Resource Guide for every player
- 10% off shop merchandise
- Tiles, mats, racks, and NMJL cards provided
$80 / personBook now
4+
Private Group Lessons
Two 2.5-hour classes for your group: fundamentals, then strategy and gameplay. Includes a Mahjong resource guide and 10% off merchandise.
See what's included
$80 / person Inquire
What's included
- One-on-one or a custom group format
- Any level, from first tile to advanced strategy
- You choose the focus: refresher, Charleston, defense, or card strategy
- Flexible length and pace
- At our studio or in your home
- Mahjong Resource Guide included
- Tiles, mats, racks, and NMJL card provided
Custom quoteBook now
1:1
Private Classes
One-on-one or a custom format for your schedule, at the studio or in your home. Tell us what you need.
See what's included
Custom quote Contact
What's included
- 3-hour session of American mahjong
- For players comfortable playing on their own
- Come solo and we'll seat you at a table of four
- A host on hand for rules questions
- Tiles, mats, racks, and current NMJL cards provided
- Light sips and snacks
$20Book now
Open
Social Open Play
For American mahjong players comfortable playing on their own. Tiles, mats, racks, light sips, and snacks provided.
See what's included
$20 Reserve
What's included
- Sundays, 1 PM to 4 PM
- All levels welcome, including fresh 101 grads
- Come solo and we'll seat you with friendly players
- A host on hand for rules questions
- Tiles, mats, racks, and NMJL cards provided
- Coffee, tea, and sweet treats
$24Book now
Sun
Sunday Social
A slow, sweet Sunday afternoon of tiles, treats, and new friends. Come with your crew or come solo.
See what's included
$24 Reserve
Upcoming events
Schedule
| Day | Time | What's on | Level | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 1:00 PM | Sunday Social | All levels | 8 left |
| Mon | 1:00 PM | Mahjong Mondays · 101 | Beginner | 4 left |
| Mon | 6:30 PM | Mahjong Mondays · 102 | After 101 | 6 left |
| Wed | 6:30 PM | Social Open Play | Confident beginners+ | Drop-in |
| Thu | 6:30 PM | Margaritas & Mahjong | All levels | Waitlist |
| Sat | By request | Private Group Lessons | Groups of 4+ | Inquire |
Schedule updates automatically from our calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Before you sit down
What is The BAM Social?
The BAM Social is a cozy mahjong studio for the greater Seattle area, where first-timers become regulars and regulars become friends. We teach American mahjong with the official National Mah Jongg League card through group classes and private lessons, host open play and Sunday Socials, and sell mats, tiles, and accessories.
I've never played. Where do I start?
Start with Mahjong 101. It assumes you've never touched a tile and covers tile names, the NMJL card, basic rules, and etiquette. The 3-part Mahjong Mondays series is the best value if you want to go from beginner to full games.
What's the difference between 101, 102, and 103?
101 covers the basics and your first hand. 102 adds the Charleston, pattern recognition, and building winning hands. 103 is full gameplay and strategy with an instructor coaching at your table.
How do private group lessons work?
Gather four or more people and we'll schedule two 2.5-hour classes: fundamentals first, then strategy and gameplay. It's $80 per person and includes a resource guide and 10% off merchandise.
Do I need my own tiles or card?
No. Tiles, mats, and racks are provided at every class and event, and Mahjong 101 includes your own NMJL card to keep.
Can I come to open play alone?
Yes. Many players come solo, and we'll seat you at a table. Social Open Play is for players comfortable playing on their own; Sunday Socials welcome all levels.
Is gambling allowed?
No. We play for fun, friendship, and bragging rights only.
Do you host private parties?
Yes. Birthdays, showers, and team outings can book a private group lesson or a custom event. Contact us with your date and group size.
Our studio
A timeless tradition, a modern obsession
Mahjong has brought people together around the table for generations, and at The BAM Social, we’re carrying that tradition forward in a space made for today. Come in, get comfortable, and take your seat at a beautifully set table, with everything you need laid out and an instructor right beside you. Lessons feel less like a class and more like time well spent with friends, old and new. No pressure, no experience needed, just great company and the click of tiles.
Blooms and tiles
Coffee and Mahj
A classic game
Mats & tiles
Shop the table
The sets and mats we play on every week. Students save an extra 10% on merchandise.
Tiles
Mat
Racks
Card
Guide
Mahjong Resource Guide
Our reference booklet of rules, etiquette, and hand-building tips. Free with private lessons.
$12 Add
Let's get you a seat.
Real people, real tiles, and a game that brings everyone to the table. Book a class or reserve a seat to get started.
News, resources & ramblings
From the studio
Find us
Come sit with us
The BAM Social
Our cozy little tile den on the Eastside
Hours
Classes and events by schedule
Private lessons by appointment
Say hi
hello@thebamsocial.com
@thebamsocial on Instagram
Our cozy little tile den on the Eastside
Hours
Classes and events by schedule
Private lessons by appointment
Say hi
hello@thebamsocial.com
@thebamsocial on Instagram
Follow along