Video Tutorials
Learn American Mahjong from trusted YouTube educators. 27+ videos · 7 educators · All free
Every teacher has their own style. Browse by topic or compare teaching approaches to find the right fit.
Quick Facts
Free Videos
27+
from 8 educators
Subscribers
89K+
combined audience
Topics
Tiles to Strategy
beginners through advanced
Cost
100% Free
no subscription needed
Browse by Topic
Jump to the videos that match what you want to learn right now.
Getting Started
(8 videos)How to Play American Mahjong | Complete Guide
Rack It! Mahjong
Mahjong 101 Overview
Southern Sparrow
Episode 1: Introduction | Learn American Mah Jongg
Debbie Barnett (MahjCon)
Everything You Need to Get Started in Mahjong
Lara's Mahjong Edit
What is American Mahjong?
The Mahjong Line
How to Deal in American Mahjong
The Mahjong Line
American Mahjong Common Mistakes
The Mahjong Line
Practice Mahjong Solo
Lara's Mahjong Edit
Tiles & Suits
(3 videos)Learning Mahjong Tiles
Southern Sparrow
Learn American Mah Jongg: The Tiles Explained
Flying Tiles Academy
Mahjong Tiles Explained
Southern Sparrow
NMJL Card
(2 videos)How to Read the NMJL Card
Southern Sparrow
How to Read the NMJL Card for Beginners
Flying Tiles Academy
The Charleston
(3 videos)The Charleston
The Mahjong Line
What NOT to Pass in the Charleston
The Mahjong Line
Charleston Quick Tip
Lara's Mahjong Edit
Strategy
(3 videos)Become a Better American Mahjong Player | 3 Important Tips
Rack It! Mahjong
Mahjong Strategy | What to do When Your Hand Has Too Many Options
Rack It! Mahjong
Top Strategies
Michele Frizzell (Mahj Life)
Rules & Gameplay
(4 videos)Joker Swaps Explained
The Mahjong Line
Closing the Discard
The Mahjong Line
Bad Sportsmanship Demonstration
Flying Tiles Academy
Transitioning from Online to In-Person Play
Debbie Barnett (MahjCon)
For Teachers
(3 videos)Teaching the Game
Michele Frizzell (Mahj Life)
American Mah Jongg Lesson for Teachers
Michele Frizzell (Mahj Life)
Teaching Kids Mahjong
The Mahjong Line
Find Your Teaching Style
Each educator has a different approach. Compare them side by side to find the style that suits you.
| Educator | Teaching Style | Subscribers | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michele Frizzell (Mahj Life) | Authoritative & Thorough | 53.4K | Visit Channel |
| Southern Sparrow | Warm & Step-by-Step | 17.8K | Visit Channel |
| Debbie Barnett (MahjCon) | Structured & In-Depth | 8.38K | Visit Channel |
| The Mahjong Line | Polished & Professional | 5K+ | Visit Channel |
| Lara's Mahjong Edit | Quick & Confidence-Building | 3.29K | Visit Channel |
| Rack It! Mahjong | Friendly & Comprehensive | 749 | Visit Channel |
| Flying Tiles Academy | Fun & Approachable | 545 | Visit Channel |
Meet the Educators
Click any thumbnail to preview their intro video, then visit their channel to continue learning.
Michele Frizzell (Mahj Life)
Veteran mahjong educator, 53K YouTube subscribers. Comprehensive Fundamentals series and weekly livestreams.
Southern Sparrow
Premium mahjong brand with 'Mahj 101' 9-part beginner series covering tiles, NMJL card, dealing, Charleston, and gameplay.
Debbie Barnett (MahjCon)
45+ years playing, founder of MahjCon and School of American Mah Jongg. Author of 'Unlocking the Secrets of American Mah Jongg'. Hosts The Timeless Beginner Series.
The Mahjong Line
Premium mahjong brand with tutorials featuring Clara Sherman, Stephanie Brink, and Molly Hardy.
Lara's Mahjong Edit
Confident Play Starts Here. Mahjong instructor from central Pennsylvania. OMM ambassador with quick tips, shorts, and strategy content.
Rack It! Mahjong
American Mahjong tips, strategy, and gameplay tutorials.
Flying Tiles Academy
All about American Mah Jongg - beginner-friendly tutorials, NMJL card guides, and fun personality content.
Getting the Most from Video Lessons
Before You Start
- • Watch a full overview video first to see the big picture
- • Have a notepad handy for terms and rules
- • Pick one educator's series and follow it in order
- • You don't need a mahjong set yet — just watch and absorb
While Watching
- • Pause and rewind freely — there's no rush
- • Use playback speed controls (0.75x helps for complex topics)
- • Turn on captions for clarity
- • Check our glossary if you hear an unfamiliar term
Video Lessons vs. Other Ways to Learn
YouTube videos are one of several ways to learn mahjong. Here is how they compare:
| Aspect | YouTube Videos | Teacher (Online) | Teacher (In-Person) | Practice Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $25–70/hr | $25–70/hr | $0–15 |
| Pace | Self-directed | Teacher-led | Teacher-led | Self-directed |
| Interaction | One-way | Live Q&A | Hands-on | Bot opponents |
| Best For | Learning basics | Personalized coaching | Tile handling | Drilling NMJL card |
Many players combine several of these — start with videos, practice on an app, then join a teacher-led group for feedback.
Common Questions
Continue Learning
These educators share their knowledge freely. We feature their content to help you find the right teacher — we don't compete with them.