In D.C.’s Chinatown, Lucky Danger restaurant hosts weekly classes in mahjong — a game that’s been a Chinese tradition for generations.
Over the years, mahjong has played an important role in bringing Asian American families together and has recently grown in popularity in the DMV.
The tile-based game was created in China in the 1800s and became a tradition passed down from generation to generation. Tim Ma, the mahjong instructor at Lucky Danger, learned from his parents.
“Mahjong is kind of a family thing. So, when your family gets a beautiful meal, after the meal, you play mahjong,” Ma said.
How to play mahjong
The game is typically played by four players, and each one starts with 13 tiles. Players draw and discard tiles in turns, trying to form specific combinations. These combinations usually include sets of three, either identical tiles, called “pungs,” or sequential numerical runs, called “chows.” Along with four identical titles, called “kongs.”
“Mahjong is very much like gin rummy. You play in sets of threes … By the end of today, you should be able to say, hey, I know how to play mahjong … Not an expert, it takes a lifetime to master this thing,” added Ma with a smile.
Devon McNally and her work friends became regulars at the Lucky Danger classes with instructor Ma.
“We’ve played in different places and we’ve played with Mr. Ma, his son and his friends, and to see them get really excited about it and how fast they move with it, like, it’s just like, it’s invigorating and it makes you want to really know how to play,” McNally said.
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