Mahjong gains popularity in Shreveport with dedicated classroom and social space
By Shannon Brinias
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SHREVEPORT, Louisiana (KTBS) — A game that’s still new to many Americans is gaining traction in Shreveport, and for those curious about the growing buzz around mahjong, there’s now a place to learn and play.
For nearly a year, Let’s Go Mahjong has been introducing players to the centuries-old tile game at its location at 7607 Fern Avenue, Suite 904. Mahjong originated in Asia in the 1800s and is played with tiles rather than a board, though many of the strategies and concepts are similar to other tabletop games.
Let’s Go Mahjong is Shreveport’s only standalone mahjong classroom and event space. Owners Jennifer Smitherman and Jenifer Doege got the idea to open the business about a year ago after playing the game themselves for some time. What began as an effort to offer instructional classes quickly expanded into open-play sessions, retail sales, and mahjong education for corporate learning events.
Most players — often women — gather around tables of four, shuffling tiles, arranging them on racks, and searching for winning patterns while deciding which tiles to keep or discard.
Phyllis Caskey says she was eager to learn the game despite its complexity. “You have to know the tiles, and each one of us probably owns a different set,” she said. “Every time you go to someone’s house, you have to relearn them. You have to know what other people are playing, what they’re discarding, what you have in your hand. It’s a lot more complicated than bunko — bunko you can drink, you can’t with mahjong.”
Beyond the challenge, Caskey says the experience keeps her coming back. “I like the sound of the tiles, and I love that once a week I get together with my friends. We laugh, have snacks, and just enjoy playing so much.”
Mikey Carlisle says the game offers more than just social time. “It makes you stay very focused and strategize,” she said. “You have to think ahead, and that stimulates your brain. It’s a good thing.”
Mahjong clubs have even started up at local schools, and the companies selling the specialized tiles and mats also offer kits for younger players that simplify some of the learning. The kits are for sale in places like the business’ retail area, along with jewelry, clothing, and other accessories that proclaims someone’s affinity for the game.
The next introductory mahjong lesson at Let’s Go Mahjong is scheduled for January 14 at 5 p.m.
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