By: Adelayda Vail
On most Wednesday nights a group of lovely ladies meets downtown at The Crafty Rabbit Meadery for a game of Mahjong. Mahjong is a Chinese game that originated in China during the 19th century. It is similar to dominoes, as it involves strategically moving tiles. This game can be played in groups of four or even individually with a solo plate, as demonstrated by Katie Brown. During the 19th century, this game was more commonly played by men. However, today it can be played by men, women and even children. Mahjong has evolved over the years, and many of the materials and rules have changed. For example, tiles were originally hand carved from bone and bamboo. Today, tiles are mostly made from acrylic and can even be purchased in kits at Carrollton’s local Turner’s Pharmacy according to Katie. Having access to these materials makes it easier for these ladies and anyone else who wants to learn to play.
Katie Brown, Mary Beth Maxwell and Danielle Powell have been playing for almost a year and welcome anyone who wishes to come and learn. Delores Goldin, Noreen Abernathy and Amy Norton have recently joined and are being taught how to play by Victoria Reeves. Additionally, Denise Bunch, Jo McAmis, Robin Pratt and Cassie Payne have been playing for a few months and know their way around the game. The group plays using the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) card, which serves as a guide that changes annually. Therefore, while the rules slightly change, most remain similar. A Mahjong round can last from minutes to hours, depending on everyone’s setup. Within these rounds there are two possible outcomes. The first is that no one wins, resulting in a “wall game” which leads to restarting the round. The second outcome occurs when one player creates a winning hand, which consists of 14 tiles as demonstrated by Danielle Powell.
Many people are unaware of the game nights at the Meadery, or about Mahjong itself, which is why Katie makes sure to share content on the Carrollton Mahjong Instagram page. This game has allowed these ladies to build friendships with one another. Additionally, it gives them an opportunity to relax, order their favorite drinks, and converse about their days. Most of their game nights are for fun, however there are also times when they play for a great cause. As mentioned previously, in past years Mahjong was a form of gambling. Today, it is played to help those in need. For example, by raising funds for organizations within the community. This group has and continues to hold events for the Empty Stocking Fund, Kerr County Flood Relief, and Carroll County CASA. In fact, in 2025 they raised over $4,000 for CASA. An upcoming event in March will be playing to raise proceeds for the West Georgia Domestic Violence Shelter, according to the Carrollton Mahjong Instagram page managed by Katie Brown. While Mahjong has evolved in how and with what it is played with, one thing that remains the same is its ability to bring people together.