FAQs
Every question, answered
Where lessons happen, what we bring, group sizes, pricing, payment and where we teach. If something's not here, just ask us.
Getting started
Do I need any experience?
None at all. Most of the people we teach have never touched a tile. Please don’t study beforehand — come curious and we’ll have you playing real hands within the hour.
Will I actually be playing, or just listening?
Playing. We teach in the flow of a real game — you’re handling tiles in the first hour, learning by doing rather than sitting through a lecture. Most people play several complete hands in a single lesson.
Is mahjong hard to learn?
Not the way most people expect. American mahjong has a real learning curve, like any game worth playing — but you don’t need to master it before you start. Most beginners are handling tiles and playing real hands within the first hour, with a host walking you through it in the flow of the game rather than a lecture beforehand. It gets easier every single hand.
I’m not really a “game person” — is this still for me?
Very likely yes. Most of our happiest players came for the afternoon together rather than the strategy. The game is the occasion — you don’t need to be competitive or quick to have a wonderful time.
What if I’m slow, or need something repeated?
That’s exactly what your host is there for. There’s no pace that’s too slow — the whole table moves together, and anything can be explained again as many times as you like. Nobody gets left behind.
Lessons & logistics
What lesson formats do you offer?
Three. A private lesson (1–2 players) and a group lesson (4–8) both happen in your own home — we come to you and bring the whole table. A public open session is a scheduled open lesson you can join without hosting, held at a venue near Backcountry — perfect if you’d rather not host, or you’re new in town and want to meet other players.
Where do the lessons happen?
Private and group lessons happen in your own home — we come to you, you host, and we bring the whole table. If you’d rather not host, you can join a public open session at a venue near the Backcountry neighborhood (we share the exact spot by email). Either way, we teach across South Denver: Highlands Ranch, Castle Pines, Lone Tree, Parker, Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills, Centennial and Littleton.
What do I need to provide?
For a lesson in your home, just a table big enough for everyone to sit around, some chairs, and your people — we bring everything else: the tiles, mats, racks, tile grabbers, the American mahjong card and a beginner guide. At a public open session there’s nothing to bring; just turn up.
What’s included in a lesson?
Tiles, mats, racks, tile grabbers, the American mahjong card, a beginner guide, and a host who teaches hands-on the whole way through. For a lesson at home you provide the table and the company; at a public open session you simply join. Either way, there’s nothing extra to buy.
How big can the group be?
From one to eight. A private lesson is for one or two players; a group lesson is for four to eight. Mahjong is played four to a table, so for a larger group we simply set up more than one table.
How long is a lesson?
Plan for around two hours. That’s enough to learn the tiles, play several real hands, and leave genuinely able to play — unhurried, never rushed.
How long does it take to learn American mahjong?
One lesson — about two hours — is enough to genuinely know how to play. You won’t be an expert by the end of the afternoon, but you’ll understand the tiles, the card, and the flow of a hand well enough to sit at any table with confidence. Most players say it fully clicks by their second or third game.
Do you provide food or drinks?
No — it’s your home, so refreshments are entirely up to you. We bring the game and the teaching; set the table however you like. Many hosts make an afternoon of it with a few nibbles and drinks, but there’s no expectation to.
Can you do a private event — a birthday, shower or get-together?
Absolutely. A group lesson is a lovely way to mark an occasion at home. Tell us the date and rough group size when you book and we’ll take care of the rest.
Pricing & payment
How much does it cost?
A private lesson (1–2 players) is $120 per person and a group lesson (4–8 players) is $75 per person, both in your own home. A public open session is $75 per person to join, no hosting needed. Every option includes all the equipment, the card, the beginner guide and hands-on play.
How do I pay?
At the lesson — cash, check, Venmo or Zelle. There’s nothing to pay up front to book your date.
Booking
How do I book and check availability?
Pick a date and time on our booking page, or tell us the dates that work for you and we’ll confirm — usually the same day. You can also message us on Instagram @mahjongstandard.
Where we teach
Where can I learn mahjong in Denver?
Right at your own table. Mahjong Standard teaches private and group lessons in homes across South Denver — Highlands Ranch, Castle Pines, Lone Tree, Parker, Greenwood Village and Cherry Hills Village — plus public sessions for anyone who’d rather join one already in progress. No experience, no equipment, no drive required; we bring the table to you.
What areas do you serve?
South Denver: Highlands Ranch, Castle Pines, Lone Tree, Parker, Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills, Centennial and Littleton. Just outside that? Ask — we’ll always do our best to come to you.
Got the gist?
Pick a date
Book a lesson — or join an open session — in a couple of minutes. No experience needed, no deposit.