Master Mahjong with Certified Teacher Weir

Mahjong is one of the favorite games that is rising in popularity for all ages. Learning to play and love the game might be inherited, inspired, and can now be instructed by a masterful teacher.

Gretchen Weir, certified and highly trained, takes mahjong to the next level and is a certified instructor with “Oh My Mahjong,” a mentor program, and has the tools, resources, and community all over the map contributing to the game’s success. Weir makes learning mahjong fun, achievable, and teaches her students the strategies necessary to play the game and even better, win at it.

Frequently in Atlanta giving organized and customized lessons, Weir’s dedication to the game is contagious and she shared, “My love for mahjong began the moment I cracked the code on how to play. The mark of a good teacher is to love what you teach, and I have a passion for the game. I’m fascinated with its rich history, particularly how it became a cherished tradition in the Jewish community where it created space for connections and friendships among women. I try to carry that spirit into my lessons.”

Weir’s mahjong lessons are built on her dedication to inspire players to enjoy learning how to play the game. Anyone who plays might recall at first it seems a little overwhelming to learn all the rules, although Weir makes it fun and easy to recall the rules. She said, “My lessons are three hours of full concentration. I have taught classes ranging in number from one person to 32 people. I find it ideal to have four, eight, or 12 in a class. I recommend at least two lessons, however, three is even better. These classes are known as MAHJ 101, 102 and 103. We learn the tiles and the card before we sit down to play. There is so much information to digest in the beginning. There are over 70 combinations on the card which can lead to analysis paralysis. I get my students past that, and they do great.”

The moment you get the “Mahjong Ah Hah,” as some players experience it, you realize that like any game, it takes practice and a willingness to learn from your mistakes. Seasoned players agree it’s one of their favorite things to do and there’s nothing like having a steady game, a group of women you love to spend time with and play mahjong. Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran player, you will always learn something new when it comes to mahjong as the cards change yearly in the spring and each new card brings challenging hands and lots of surprises.

Weir suggests for beginners, “First and foremost, be patient with yourself. Mahjong does have a learning curve, but it becomes more intuitive, the more you play. Focus on learning the structure of the card and how to recognize common patterns. Don’t worry too much about winning in the beginning; just getting comfortable with building hands and making smart choices which is a win in itself. Learn with people that you like so you can immediately form a group of players at your level. Give grace to others who make mistakes and expect mistakes and questions to arise. And finally, buy a set that you love because it will last you a lifetime.”

Regarding seasoned players, Weir advises, “Seasoned players come to me to sharpen their strategy and better read their opponents. We look beyond the basics, how to pivot mid-game, when to abandon a hand, and how to read what others are collecting. Even long-time players can benefit from a fresh perspective. I also remind them to respect table rules whenever they play with a new group.”

And of course, it was essential to ask what does Weir think of the 2025 new card which has a mixed review as some players think it’s fabulous and others think it’s hard? Weir instantly replied, “I love the 2025 card. A new card levels the playing field every year. There are some new fun patterns, and I find it more challenging than the 2024 card. Familiarize yourself with the new patterns and practice identifying them quickly. Look for overlapping tiles among multiple hands to keep options open. Flexibility is your best friend. Be ready to pivot as the game unfolds.

After correcting the misprint on the 2025 cards, here are a few tips to consider. Under the 2025 category line No. 1, remember you can use fives or twos for the Pungs. In the Any Like Numbers category line No. 2, the pairs are separated. Treat them as pairs only and be careful when calling for a tile. In the Consecutive Numbers category line No. 7, you can use any five consecutive numbers with the pair matching the Kongs. The position of the pair in the run does not matter.”

Lastly, when it comes to accessorizing your mahjong playing, Weir also represents Oh My Mahjong (OMM) in Dallas, Texas, hence the name of her business, Oh My Gretchen. As someone with a background in home furnishings, she respects and admires the beauty and quality of OMM products. She said, “The line is constantly changing with new tiles and mats introduced and loved ones retired. I keep an extensive inventory in Sandy Springs as I think people like to see the sets in person as well as online and offer a discount code to anyone interested in a purchase from OMM.”

She added, “My biggest joy is watching someone light up when they ‘get it.’ Whether you are brand new or a long-time player, there is always something new to learn and I’d love to help any player or group on that journey.”

Weir can be reached at Ohmygretchen@yahoo.com for lessons, products and how to get in on the game. Her growing and glowing students’ reviews guarantee you’ll love it and appreciate her engaging style of teaching and endless enthusiasm.