Monday Mahjong 101

See You Next Tuesday is The Pepper Pot's weekly Mahjong Open Play event in Barrington, Illinois. Open Play is designed for players who already know the basics of American Mahjong and want a welcoming place to practice, improve their skills, and connect with other Mahjong enthusiasts.

Players of all experience levels are welcome. To participate, you should be able to identify Mahjong tiles by name, understand the basic rules of the game, read the National Mahjong League (NMJL) card, and follow the cadence of play.

Our instructors are available during Open Play to answer questions, provide guidance, and help players gain confidence at the table. However, Open Play is not intended as a beginner Mahjong class. If you are new to Mahjong and have never played before, we recommend starting with our Tile by Tile Mahjong Lessons, where you'll learn the fundamentals of American Mahjong in a supportive classroom setting.

Currently, Mahjong Open Play is held every Tuesday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at The Pepper Pot in Barrington, IL. We plan to expand Open Play opportunities to additional days in the future. Subscribe to our email list to be the first to hear about new Mahjong events, lessons, and open play sessions.

Yes! The Pepper Pot offers private American Mahjong lessons for groups of three or more players. Private Mahjong instruction is perfect for friends, family members, social groups, clubs, or anyone looking to learn Mahjong in a more personalized setting.

Private Mahjong lessons can be held at The Pepper Pot in Barrington, Illinois, or at a location of your choice throughout the Chicago area and surrounding suburbs. Our experienced instructors will guide your group through the fundamentals of American Mahjong, including tile identification, reading the National Mahjong League (NMJL) card, game strategy, scoring, and proper game etiquette.

Whether you're brand new to Mahjong or looking to build confidence before joining one of our Mahjong Open Play sessions, private lessons offer a fun and flexible way to learn.

To inquire about private Mahjong lessons, please email mahjong@thepepperpot.co or call (224) 385-3481.

Yes. Mahjong Open Play is designed for players who already have a basic understanding of American Mahjong. Participants should be able to identify Mahjong tiles by name, understand the basic rules of the game, read the National Mahjong League (NMJL) card, and follow the cadence of play.

Our instructors are available during Open Play to answer questions, provide guidance, and help players build confidence, but Open Play is not intended to teach the fundamentals of Mahjong from the beginning.

If you're new to Mahjong or have never played before, we recommend starting with one of The Pepper Pot's beginner Mahjong lessons in Barrington, IL. Our Tile by Tile Mahjong Series is specifically designed to teach the fundamentals of American Mahjong in a supportive, beginner-friendly environment before transitioning to Open Play.

Yes. Mahjong Open Play at The Pepper Pot is welcoming to newer players who have completed beginner Mahjong lessons and are ready to gain experience through regular play. Our instructors are present to answer questions, provide guidance, and help players build confidence at the table.

To participate, players should already understand the basics of American Mahjong, including tile identification, how to read the National Mahjong League (NMJL) card, and the general flow of the game. Open Play is designed to help players practice their skills, improve strategy, and become more comfortable with gameplay in a supportive and social environment.

If you have never played Mahjong before, we recommend starting with The Pepper Pot's Tile by Tile Mahjong Lessons in Barrington, Illinois. These beginner-friendly classes teach the fundamentals of American Mahjong and provide the foundation needed to enjoy Open Play with confidence.

Players should bring their current National Mahjong League (NMJL) card and be ready for an enjoyable afternoon or evening of American Mahjong. All Mahjong tables, tiles, racks, and game supplies are provided by The Pepper Pot.

We recommend bringing reading glasses if you use them, as well as water or any beverage you prefer. Wine is available for purchase on-site by the bottle. If you choose to bring your own wine, a $30 corkage fee applies for any bottles consumed on the premises.

Come with a willingness to learn, practice, and meet fellow Mahjong players. Many participants attend on their own and quickly become part of our welcoming Mahjong community.

Mahjong Open Play is a great opportunity to sharpen your skills, gain confidence with the NMJL card, and enjoy regular Mahjong games with players from Barrington, Lake Zurich, Palatine, Arlington Heights, and surrounding Chicago suburbs.

The Pepper Pot hosts weekly American Mahjong Open Play sessions in Barrington, Illinois, every Tuesday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Located in the Historic Ice House Mall, The Pepper Pot welcomes Mahjong players of all experience levels who are looking for a fun, social, and supportive place to play.

Whether you're a recent Mahjong lesson graduate or an experienced player looking for a regular game, our See You Next Tuesday Open Play sessions provide an opportunity to practice your skills, meet fellow Mahjong enthusiasts, and become part of a growing Mahjong community.

Players regularly join us from Barrington, South Barrington, Lake Zurich, Palatine, Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, and surrounding northwest Chicago suburbs. Advance registration is recommended, as seating is limited.

Yes! The Drawing Room is one of the few venues in the Barrington area specifically designed for Mahjong and Needlepoint gatherings. Whether you're hosting experienced players or introducing friends to the game, we can help create a memorable Mahjong event. Private Mahjong instruction may also be available upon request.

You can email us at mahjong@thepepperpot.co or use the contact us button below.