The Dottie's Mahj Community

Buy a guide and you've bought a book. Join the Community and you've pulled up a chair. Every customer is invited; membership costs nothing but your first name.

Where to play — community games near Rochester

Standing games, open tables, and classes around Rochester and southeast Minnesota. These are community-run gatherings, not mine — bring your current card, a sharp eye, and a friendly spirit.

Rochester · 125 LIVE

125 Elton Hills Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901

Tuesdays, 12:00–3:00 pm

Join other American mahjong enthusiasts for some exciting games. All levels of play are welcome, and no registration is required. Not a member? No problem — pay $10 and spend the day playing at 125 LIVE.

Rochester · B’nai Israel Synagogue

150 7th Avenue SW (corner of 2nd Street SW & 7th Avenue SW), Rochester, MN 55902

A friendly American mahjong table in the heart of downtown, a short walk from both Mayo campuses. For current days, times, and a seat at the table, contact Karen Weathersbee through the synagogue office: (507) 288-5825.

Classes · Rochester Community Education

Northrop Community Education Center, 201 8th Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901

Beginner and Intermediate American mahjong classes run through Rochester Community Education — but be quick, dear. They fill very fast, sometimes before the offerings are even published.

From the Fall 2026–Winter 2027 catalog: Learn to Play Mah Jongg (beginner), eight Thursday mornings, 9:30–11:30 am, sessions beginning September 3 and October 29, $65 — both fall sections are already full, with waitlists open. And Intermediate Mah Jongg, eight Monday mornings, 9:30–11:30 am, sessions beginning September 14 and November 9, $50 — bring your own current National Mah Jongg League card.

Winona · Friendship Center

East Recreation Center, 210 Zumbro Street, Winona, MN

Tuesdays, 1:00–3:30 pm

Mahjong through the Winona Friendship Center (55+ programs). Questions: (507) 454-5212.

Days and times change, dear, and I would hate for you to drive out to a locked door. Ring ahead the first time.

Know a game I’ve missed?

This list only works if it keeps growing. If you run a standing game, a class, a league night, or a one-afternoon tournament and you would like players to find it, send it to me and I will consider it for this page. There is no charge and never will be.

Tell me the name of the game or group, where it meets with a full street address, the day and time, what it costs if anything, whether beginners are welcome, and a name and number for whoever answers questions. I post what I can confirm.

Submit a game for the community page

Sending this does not put your game on the page automatically. I read every one and post what I can verify.

Find your people

Our registered leagues run real seasons — standings, playoffs, banquets, the works — in towns across the country, and every one of them keeps a teaching table warm for beginners. Write to DottiesMahj@gmail.com and I'll tell you what's near you. Nothing near you yet? Then, dear, you may be three friends away from being a founder: the League Builder Kit walks you from four players to a published season, and registering your league with us is free forever.

Teach with me

If you've ever explained the Charleston twice in one afternoon without sighing, you may be an instructor at heart. The MAHJ curricula give you eighteen planned sessions from first tile to expert tempo, and registered instructors get first look at everything new. The teaching table is the best seat in the house — I've sat in it forty years and never once been bored.

Questions, stories, first-mahjong announcements: DottiesMahj@gmail.com. Questions are never silly at this table.