Mahjong and Mingle at Arboro

Hi! I’m Bridgette Clyne, founder of Mahjong Mingle. I can’t wait to teach you American Mahjong at Arboro Empowered — whether you’re a total beginner or know a bit about the game, you’re in for a night of fun!

About Bridgette:

When I'm not talking tiles with new friends or playing a game of Mahj with old ones, I'm busy as a mom to three precious boys. As a twin mom and an active member of Greensboro Mothers of Multiples, life is never dull! A dear friend and fellow twin mom, Erica Castillo, introduced me to the game — and it was love at first “Mahjong!” I adore how Mahjong brings friends together and keeps us present in the moment.

Mahjong brings friends together and keeps us present in the moment.

Once I was hooked, I did what any Millennial would do — fell down the Instagram rabbit hole! I saw Mahjong lessons, parties, leagues, and tournaments popping up all over the Southeast. That’s when I knew I wanted to help bring the joy of Mahjong to Greensboro.

The History Behind Mahjong:

As a lifelong student, I love hobbies that give me lots to learn about. The history and culture behind Mahjong provide just that for me. Mahjong has deep, winding cultural roots that originated in China in the mid-to-late 1800s, around the Yangtze River Delta. In her best-selling book Mahjong: A Chinese Game and the Making of Modern American Culture, Author Annelise Heinz says there are more than 40 iterations of the game worldwide.

My focus is on American Mahjong, which traces its unique identity to the Jewish American community. In 1937, a group of Jewish American women in New York City founded the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) to standardize the game’s rules and scoring. It is important to me to teach with authenticity, and I am committed to respecting and acknowledging the history behind the game.

About Mahjong 101 & 102:

The mission of Mahjong Mingle is to spread the love of Mahjong around Greensboro, NC & the Triad area. I could not be more thrilled to do that next at Arboro Empowered.

If you’ve ever stepped foot in Arboro Empowered, you know how cozy and inviting it feels — warm lighting, comfy seating, and a relaxed vibe that makes you want to stay awhile. You’ll be welcomed with light refreshments and beverages — grab some snacks, settle in, and get ready to have fun!

Mahjong 101 is perfect for beginners — no experience needed! The environment is relaxed and fun (no pop quizzes here!). You'll learn about the tiles, how to read the NMJL card, how to pick a focus/line, and the steps of the Charleston. We’ll also cover how to set up a game and deal out the tiles. You will complete a full game by the end of the lesson.

Mahjong 102 builds on what you learned in 101. We will take a deeper dive into the NMJL card — exploring patterns and specifics — and practice building hands. We’ll spend time doing Charleston drills to speed up your decision-making. You’ll finish feeling more confident after playing 2-3 full games. This class does require some prior knowledge — either from Mahjong 101 or independent play.

Come Learn & Play:

I am teaching two Mahjong 101 sessions, 3/26 and 4/2 at 6:00pm. Mahjong 102 will follow on 4/9 at 6:00pm. Spots are limited to 12 for each session, so text a friend and grab your seats now! Choose your date and buy your tickets here: https://www.arboroempowered.com/book-a-class