If you've decided that you want to learn how to play mahjong rather than simply watching your friends play, then Washington, DC, is a great place to begin your studies. The number of community organizations, cultural centers, and private instructors means that you can find a class that suits your needs and schedule with relative ease.

This guide will walk you through what to expect from beginner classes, the costs involved, and what you'll know after your first course.

What "Beginner" Means in Mahjong

Mahjong can be an intimidating game to learn: the final setup, with four players, 152 tiles, a scoring card, and a wall of unfamiliar terms, can seem like a lot to take in all at once.

However, most instructors who teach beginner classes do not simply jump into the middle of the game and start dealing tiles. A good beginner's course will walk you through the fundamentals of the game and will introduce you to the unfamiliar terms and concepts at a steady pace.

A typical beginner's course will begin with identifying the tiles, then move on to the wall, dealing, and turn structure before introducing hand construction and scoring, usually with greatly simplified example hands before moving on to the full scoring card. By the time you begin playing your first game, most of the terminology and procedures will be much less intimidating.

If you want to know how to play mahjong in Washington, D.C., but you want to really learn about this game and not just get some tips from your mates, then it would be more helpful for you to study the game systematically.

Where to Take Beginner Classes

• Community Centers and Recreation Departments

• Jewish Community Centers

• Private Instructors

• Casual Meetups and Game Cafés

What It Costs

The cost of lessons can vary wildly depending on the instructor, the venue, and the length of the course:

• Community center or senior center classes are often the most affordable and are typically billed as a flat fee for the entire course rather than per class.

• JCC classes are often similarly priced and may offer discounts to members.

• Private mahjong lessons are much more expensive but offer a more flexible learning pace.

• Café or club meetups are often free of charge but may ask that you purchase food or drinks from the establishment.

• If you're unsure about committing to a full course of lessons, you may want to consider one of these more affordable options before investing in private lessons.

What to Expect in Your First Class

Most classes will provide you with a set of tiles to use during the lesson, so you shouldn't need to bring any equipment with you when you arrive for your first lesson.

You should also be prepared to spend a good amount of your first class simply learning to identify the tiles, since most of the other elements of the game are built around them. This may seem like a slow start, but most instructors know that it can be overwhelming to try and learn all of the new terms and concepts at once and will plan their curriculum around introducing new ideas in small chunks over several classes.

By the end of your first several classes, you should have a good grasp of the fundamentals of the game and be able to play an entire game, read a scoring card, and understand the basics of scoring and hand construction.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Class

Keep a copy of any scoring card that you're shown in class so that you can practice identifying the various symbols and terms between lessons.

Practice with a classmate or friend outside of class, if possible; the more time you spend reviewing what you've learned, the faster you'll pick up new concepts.

Even if you're familiar with some of the terms, try not to skip ahead in your learning: a solid grasp of the fundamentals is essential to learning to play mahjong.

Ask your instructor whether you'll be learning the rules for American, Chinese, or riichi mahjong, since each variant has its own scoring system and local game groups.

After the Class: Finding a Regular Group to Play With

Once you've finished your first course, you may want to find a regular group to play with. Many students form game groups with their classmates, since everyone is at a similar skill level and most have learned the rules in the same way.

There are also a number of local game clubs and cafés that offer casual drop-in play, as well as online social media groups that can help you find other players in your area who are looking for new people to play with.

Final Thoughts

To learn Mahjong in Washington, D.C. doesn't require any particular expertise or experience before you begin: all it takes is a willingness to sit down and learn the unfamiliar terms and concepts that make up the game. Whether you choose to take a course at a community center or a senior center or opt for private lessons, you should find that the number of options available in the D.C. area makes it easy to find a class that fits your needs and budget. Once you've learned the fundamentals, finding a group of other players to play with should be just as easy.