SEASON 5

FAQS

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FAQS *

  • We play 16-tile Taiwanese Mahjong 🇹🇼🀄️ based on LA Mahjong League House Rules.

    We strongly recommend reviewing the house rules ahead of time so you can play and strategize with confidence.

    LAMJ team members are happy to help verify scoring upon request, but ultimately it’s each player’s responsibility to count their points (don’t leave any on the table)!

    • 6 events to rack up points from October 11 – December 13 (event participation isn’t mandatory; play as many as you can!

    • 3 levels: Tortoise 🐢, Hare 🐇, and Cheetah 🐆

    • Prizes for the top 4 players + the top Tortoise 🐢

    • $99 entry fee; members must also register for individual events

    • Food and drink minimums apply at each venue

    Note: in the event we don’t fill all 4 seats at a table, LAMJ team members will play. Our points won’t count but yours will!

  • Yes. The Season 5 League fee is $99 per person. This fee covers:

    • League participation across all 6 events (October 11 - December 13)

    • Prizes, including gift cards purchased to support local Asian-owned businesses

    • The LAMJ House Rules booklet

    Note: League members must purchase individual event tickets, which include their first drink.

  • The league fee supports our operations and programming as well as tournament prizes (we never ask businesses to donate).

    Individual event tickets go to the venue and cover your first drink (think of it as a one-drink minimum).

    We encourage you to order additional drinks (and food!) at each venue to support our local economy.

    • S5T1: Sunday, 10/11, 3-7pm @ Steep (Chinatown)

    • S5T2: Saturday, 10/24, 5-9pm @ TBD

    • S5T3: Sunday, 11/8, 3-7pm @ TBD

    • S5T4: Sunday, 11/22, 4-8pm @ TBD

    • S5T5: Sunday, 12/6, 4-8pm @ TBD

    • S5T6 (Final): Sunday, 12/13, 2-6pm @ TBD

    Each event includes 3 hours of gameplay. Full details will be provided on the event registration page.


    If you sign up, Please ARRIVE ON TIME. Lateness = Point penalties!

  • Event sign-ups open one week before each event on our password-protected league member page. We’ll announce seat availability on Instagram (and via the LAMJ Season 5 Channel on IG), so keep an eye out!

    • Seats are first come, first served.

    • When you sign up, you’ll choose your level: Tortoise 🐢‍, Hare 🐇 or Cheetah 🐆.

    • Join the LAMJ Season 5 Channel via Instagram to stay in the loop!

    • While we plan for 60 league members, not every event can accommodate 60 players.

    • PLEASE ARRIVE ON TIME to ensure 3 hours of gameplay for everyone.

  • So you can play with others that match your pace!

    🐢 Tortoise (龜): Take your time—18 seconds max per move.

    • The top scoring Tortoise 🐢 wins a prize. To be eligible, one must play as a Tortoise for all or the majority of the events they participate in during the 6-event season.

    🐇 Hare(兔): Fast and furious—10 seconds max per move

    • ⏱️ If you exceed 10 seconds and your fellow players request an official timer, you’ll be penalized 1 point per infraction.

    • For future events, slower players will be paired with Tortoises.

    🐆 Cheetah (獵豹): Faster and Furiouser—6 seconds max per move

    • Not for the faint of heart…play at your own peril!

    Note: Members may switch speeds throughout the season but those gunning for Top Tortoise 🐢 will need to play the majority of events as 🐢.

  • Players are grouped by the speed they registered for for that event: Tortoise 🐢, Hare 🐇, or Cheetah 🐆.

    • Upon checking in, you’ll be randomly assigned a table with fellow players at your speed. We call this “choosing your fortune.”

    • Each event has two rounds, with a table swap in the middle to mix things up.

    Note: To qualify for the Top Tortoise prize 🐢🏆, you must play as a tortoise for most of the events!

  • Since this is a tournament, no assistance can be requested or given.

    If you make a mistake that disqualifies you from winning—like forgetting to repair your flowers or forgetting to claim a bonus tile when you gong—you are 相公 OR “mahjong eunuch” for that game.

    Play carefully…your honor is on the line! 🀄️

  • No problem; event participation isn’t mandatory. Playing more gives you more chances to rack up points…and more chances to lose them.

    Play as many events as you can, and may the winds be ever in your favor 🀄️

  • As a league member, you’ll have 6 chances to play and rack up points!

    • Everyone starts with 1,000 points.

    • We’ll post the ladder in the Member Portal and share updates via email after each event.

    • After the final tournament on 12/13, the top 4 players and the top Tortoise 🐢 will take home prizes!

  • As Chinese-American founders, we started the LA Mahjong League to teach and share a game that feels like home, celebrate our culture, and play for prizes that support local Asian-owned businesses. A 胡-胡-胡 (win-win-win)!

    Top Prize: 

    2nd Prize: 

    • $200 gift card to an AAPI-owned business*

    3rd Prize:

    • $150 gift card to an AAPI-owned business* 

    4th Prize:

    • $100 gift card to an AAPI-owned business* 

    Top Tortoise Player:

    • $150 gift card to an AAPI-owned business* 

    Note 1: only those who play at least 4 out of 6 events as Tortoises are eligible. If you play less than 4 events, all must be played as Tortoise.

    Note 2: if the Top Tortoise also places in the top 4, they receive only one prize (the higher of the two).

    *All gift cards are purchased by LAMJ—we never ask businesses to donate them. Together, we’re supporting the local Asian-American economy!

    AAPI-owned businesses from which to choose (select up to 3):

    Note 1: You can split your winning amount across up to 3 businesses.

    Note 2: You can apply your winning amount toward the cost of a Premium Machill MJ set.

    Note 3: You can apply your winning amount toward a future LAMJ tournament fee.

  • At LAMJ, we’re committed to fostering a welcoming, respectful space where everyone can enjoy the game. Mutual respect and good sportsmanship are central to this commitment. 

    Mahjong can get passionate—and that’s part of the fun! Still, we ask all members to:

    • Treat fellow players with respect at all times, including arriving on time and being mindful of your language and actions

    • Play by LAMJ's House Rules, even if you don’t personally agree with them

    • Accept official rulings once they’re made

    These guidelines help ensure a fair, enjoyable experience for everyone at the table 🀄️