Allison Wall and Aimee Morse are building a local community of Mahjong players tile by tile.
The two, who are both originally from Dallas and have each lived in Durango for over a decade, learned to play from friends in Dallas.
“Then when we got to Durango, we wanted to continue to play, but we didn’t know how to; we needed some more guidance, essentially,” Morse said. “We got lucky, and we found a gal out of Denver who came down here for work originally, and so she was able to teach us, along with some other friends, how to play Mahjong again or refresh our memories. And then from there, we’ve been playing with these gals that we call our OG group.”
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For more information about participating in the Southwest Mahj Club, email swmahjclub@gmail.com.
Morse and Wall found that there were many people who wanted to learn the game, but the two weren’t in a place to teach at the time. Eventually that changed, and as their comfort and confidence with the game grew, they formed the Southwest Mahj Club.
The club plays American Mahjong – sometimes referred to as ‘Mahj” – which, according to The Mahjong Line: “Is a variation on the Chinese game Mahjong, and is a game of strategy, skill and luck. Typically, there are four players seated around a table, although two or three people can also play. There (is) also Mahjong online. The objective of the game is to be the first, by drawing and discarding tiles, to match tiles to a specific hand from a National Mah Jongg League card. ... The excitement of Mahjong lies in the continuous decision-making process.”
Morse and Wall offer not only an opportunity for seasoned players to compete – and socialize – they offer Mahj 101 lessons as well for those new to the game.
“When we do a Mahjong 101, everyone receives with their registration training materials that lays out all the tiles that you’ll be using,” Wall said.
The two said that while at first the game may seem a little intimidating, with practice and attention, it begins to click.
And it’s clicking in Durango: Since the club started in October, it has hosted multiple lessons and has a slate of upcoming events planned. Morse and Wall said they have been reaching out to local establishments as hosts – so far, places such as Lola’s Place and EsoTerra Ciderworks have welcomed the club in to play. There’s also a Mahjong and Muffins event Saturday at Mountain Dough Baking Co., a Galentine’s event at Oak Brush Salon and Lounge, and even a Tally the Tiles night to kick off Snowdown at The Oxford.
The best way for people interested in playing with Southwest Mahj Club is to email Morse and Wall to get all the details, they said, adding that depending on interest, they will limit events at a certain number. The two also offer private events. Wall has even gone to Telluride to teach.
“We’ve had people from Santa Fe reach out,” Morse said. “The word is getting out.”
katie@durangoherald.com