Mahj in Bloom

10/19/2026

I loved seeing Mahj in Bloom in the Indiana Daily Student today, alongside the Mahjong community at Asian Culture Center and the players at Chabad @ Indiana University

Bloomington has so many people finding their way to the game, and I love seeing these communities grow in their own ways. Mahjong has deep roots and many traditions, and it’s important to make room for all of them as more people discover it.

And honestly, some of my favorite moments are watching people sit down as strangers and leave with a new group to play with. That’s what this community is all about. A big thank-you to Heartwork Brewing, our home base, and to Indiana Daily Student and Natalie Chan for telling these stories.

Give it a read (and consider joining us at the tiles!)
https://www.idsnews.com/article/2026/10/bloomington-mahjong-indiana-university-asian-culture-center

10/16/2026

Hot take: the classic IU china mug is the perfect mahjong dice dish. 🏈🀄 Who else “borrowed” one in college? (Want one now? IU Surplus might still have them. Worth a look!)

This Saturday we take on the Buckeyes, so here’s my red-and-white mahjong game day edit:

❤️ Mats: Mahjong by SI, the IU mat from FOSTER ™️ (I own it, and it’s coming to league’s Spirit Night Monday!), and Peace Love Mahjong
❤️ Tiles: red-and-white-ish traditional from , and tortoise tiles from Bam Bird Boutique that go with everything
❤️ Gear: the IU tile and Joker from FOSTER ™️ + my clear bag to hold your tiles (I have one in every color at this point!)
❤️ Style: a Natty Champs coin purse from ALIBI Bloomington, perfect for mahjong money, and a fun Canvas Style bracelet (just ordered!)
❤️ Sip: Oliver Winery C***rworks Hard C***r (21+)
✨ On my wishlist: the KADYLUXE Indiana Hoosiers sweater

Comment HOOSIERS and I’ll DM you the full list with links and codes.

Some links and codes earn me a small commission. Foster’s code doesn’t, and I’m sharing it anyway because I love the mat.

10/13/2026

09/27/2026

We are headed into week seven of eight for our first season of The Mahjong Open! The group has played over 60 rounds, that means 240+ games in six weeks 😍 I’m excited for us to end the season together! TMO players can claim tables in the portal for a final group play at Trailhead Pizzeria on Sunday, October 11 - the last day to get your scores in! If the tables we have fill up, I will add more.

Having FOMO? Join us for the next season! Registration is open and we have 20 people already signed up - the more people the more opportunities to play. DM me with questions or register at https://themahjongopen.com/

09/16/2026

I’ve been talking a lot about The Mahjong Open, and some of you may still be thinking, “That sounds fun…but what exactly is it?” 😂

The easiest way to explain it: The Mahjong Open Bloomington is one big, flexible Mahj circle.

You register for the eight-week season, then use the Open portal to find matches that work with your schedule. Players can add tables at their homes or favorite local spots, and anyone registered can claim an open seat.

You can play once a week. You can play three times a week. You can skip a busy week and catch up later. You do not have to commit to the same night, the same place or the same group of people.

Bloomington + Beyond: Play across Bloomington, Ellettsville, Bedford, Martinsville, Bargersville, Spencer, Nashville and surrounding communities.

Most of our current matches are based in Bloomington and Ellettsville, but that is the beauty of The Open: anyone can propose a match! Add a table close to you, invite other registered players to join and help us grow the Mahj circle throughout the area. We have lots of play happening in Ellettsville and some games as far North as Bargersville this season.

A few things to know:

🀄 You do not need to bring a partner or put together your own table
🀄 You can join matches or host your own
🀄 You will meet new people and expand beyond your regular Mahj group
🀄 You can play as often as you want
🀄 We submit scores, follow a leaderboard and compete for prizes

You do need to know the basics and be able to play independently, but you do not need to be fast, fearless or perfect. Questions happen. Missed Mahjongs happen. Occasionally an entire table forgets whose turn it is. We carry on. 😂

Some players love watching the leaderboard. Some are determined to win a prize. *MOST* just want more people to play with and more reasons to get out of the house. You decide how competitive you want this to be.

🎄 Holiday Season: October 26–December 20
🎟️ Registration opens Tuesday, September 15
💰 $80 for all eight weeks

More tables. More people to play with. More chances to say “Mahjong!”

That’s The Mahjong Open Bloomington (and beyond) 🩷

Registration is open:
https://themahjongopen.com/

09/12/2026

Okay, Mahjong Open players… now you know what you’re playing for! 👀

At the end of our first season, we’ll crown our:
🏆 Champion
🀄 Ace
✈️ Flight Winner

And the prizes are GOOD. Swipe to see what is waiting at the finish line!

Not quite your style? Each winner may choose the featured prize or an alternative Mahjong prize of comparable value (aI will put a couple options together). These are provided by The Mahjong Open and I love them but we have some men in our crew and I want everyone playing for something they’ll love!

This first season has been everything I hoped it would be: new friendships, lots of Mahjong, players getting braver and better, and tables popping up all over town.

If you’ve been watching and thinking, “Why didn’t I sign up for this?” Your chance is coming!

Season Two runs October 26–December 20, with in-person matches when and where they work for you. Registration opens next week.

Consider this your official warning. You’re going to want in. 😉

Note from Trish: I am playing this season but not playing for prizes! My prize is getting to play!!!

09/11/2026

Not sure what “league” is like or what actually happens? Let’s talk about it!

First, don’t be intimidated. The Mahj in Bloom Social League is for everyone. If you know the basics and can play independently, you are ready. Questions along the way are absolutely okay!

We’ll play for six Monday nights in October and November. During the first few weeks, there will be LOTS of questions, and that is a good thing! Consistent play is one of the best ways to build confidence, improve your game and get more comfortable with the card.

Yes, we keep score. Yes, there are prizes. But it is completely up to you how competitive you want to be! Most people join because they want more practice, more opportunities to play and a fun night out. The prizes are just a bonus. 😊

Think of league as your chance to:

🀄 Play more regularly
🀄 Build your confidence
🀄 Meet other local players
🀄 Become part of our growing mahjong community

And the best part?

No tiles to lug around.
No group to coordinate.
No plans to make every week.

Bring your NMJL card and yourself.

YOU. JUST. SHOW. UP.

That’s it! 💕

08/25/2026

ONE. WEEK. TO. GO. 👀🀄

And Allison M. came to PLAY tonight! She called four Mahjongs, finished with the highest score of the night at 115 points and officially broke into the top three overall! 🎉

But we also need to talk about Lori K.

Lori learned to play in June and was a little nervous about joining league. Tonight, she called her first, second AND third league Mahjongs of the season, earned 105 points and jumped 19 spots in the rankings! Watching her celebrate was easily one of my favorite moments of the night. This is exactly why I love league. 🌸

Next week is our grand finale! Our league champion will get their choice of a tile set from Charleston Mahjong Club, and we’ll have some other special prizes and surprises throughout the night.

And yes, this is also my shameless reminder that you can save 10% on Charleston Mahjong Club tiles with code MAHJINBLOOM. 😉

Watch to see who’s sitting in our top three after Week 5, then check out the full leaderboard here:
https://mahjboard.com/l/rabbit61

Want in on the next one? Registration for the October
Traditional League opens Tuesday, September 1 at NOON!

Thanks to our amazing venue sponsor, Heartwork Brewing

08/24/2026

🀄️ Save the Date 🀄️

Fall league returns to Heartwork Brewing on Mondays starting October 5. Registration opens next week on September 1 at noon!

More details on Mahjinbloom.com