Mahjong Nights Are Bringing Communities Together In Oklahoma

Mahjong has recently become increasingly popular in America, including Oklahoma. Various statewide and local organizations are hosting mahjong nights, and some residents are even becoming consultants and teaching others how to play. We recently looked into mahjong offerings in Lawton, but the game currently only seems to be popular with select groups.

What is mahjong?

You've probably seen game advertisements for mahjong on various gaming apps for cellphones. Or if you were a fan of "Crazy Rich Asians," you may remember the iconic mahjong scene towards the end of the movie.

But mahjong is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and dates back to the 19th century. Mahjong is a four-player game with tiles, and has various regional styles of play, including Chinese classical, Japanese Riichi and American Mahjong.

Mahjong was first introduced in America in the 1920s, but recently, the game has increased in popularity through social media. And people in America have started organizing local mahjong games as ways to limit screen time and increase social connections.

READ MORE: Exploring The Best Golf Experiences In Lawton, Oklahoma

Where can you play mahjong in Lawton?

These local mahjong games have also been increasing in Oklahoma, particularly in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Edmond, Stillwater, Edmond, and Shawnee, through the Oklahoma Mahjong Club.

When we Googled "where to play mahjong in Lawton," the first link the search engine generated was for a mahjong night hosted by the Lawton Country Club. And that was the only Lawton link listed as the rest were results for statewide mahjong organizations through OK Let's Mahjong and the Oklahoma Mahjong Club. Google also directed us to mahjong classes offered by Mahjong With Me in Chickasha.

Like Lawton, places in Oklahoma, where mahjong is popular or where it's still growing in popularity, may have other organizations, like local country clubs, that host their own mahjong nights for members.

So for non-members in Lawton who are seeking to learn mahjong or find a place to play will have to consider a trip to Chickasha for a beginner lesson from Mahjong With Me. Based on the official Mahjong With Me Facebook page, the director also hosts Social Play events throughout Chickasha for people to come together and play mahjong.

Do you know where to play mahjong in Lawton?

Are you aware of a public mahjong group in Lawton that we don't know about? Let us know by messaging us in our official station app!

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