Blog
From the Table
Tips, guides, and stories from our mahjong community.
April 8, 2026
How to Find Mahjong Games Near You in 2026
5 ways to find American Mahjong clubs, groups, and open tables near you — from free apps to local directories. Works in every US state.
April 8, 2026
Best Mahjong Scoring Apps & Rating Systems in 2026
Track your American Mahjong scores, find your true skill level, and book tables — all in one ecosystem. Free tools for players and clubs.
April 1, 2026
Is Mahjong Good for Seniors? What the Science Actually Says
From a 37% reduction in dementia risk to measurable improvements in executive function, here's what peer-reviewed research reveals about mahjong and healthy aging.
April 1, 2026
Mahjong and Social Connection: What Research Says About Fighting Loneliness
The Surgeon General calls loneliness an epidemic. Peer-reviewed research shows mahjong may be one of the best antidotes — combining cognitive challenge with the in-person connection that actually moves the needle.
March 18, 2026
NMJL 2026 Card Predictions: What to Expect This Year
Our data-driven analysis of 11 years of NMJL cards predicts what's coming in 2026 — from the return of Quints to how the year digits 2-0-2-6 will shape every section.
March 14, 2026
Bam Good Time vs AMR Authority: Mahjong Club Management Compared
Compare Bam Good Time and AMR Authority for mahjong club management — scoring, tournaments, payments, and which tool fits your club.
March 14, 2026
Bam Good Time vs I Love Mahj: Which Mahjong Platform is Right for Your Club?
Compare Bam Good Time and I Love Mahj side by side — features, pricing, and which mahjong platform fits your group's needs.
March 14, 2026
Best Mahjong Club Management Software in 2026: Complete Guide
Compare the best mahjong club management software in 2026 — features, pricing, pros, and cons for Bam Good Time, I Love Mahj, AMR Authority, and more.
March 14, 2026
How to Find Mahjong Players and Clubs Near You in 2026
Looking for mahjong near you? Find local clubs, groups, and players with online directories, community resources, and tips for starting your own game.
March 14, 2026
How to Organize a Mahjong Tournament: The Complete 2026 Guide
Step-by-step guide to organizing a mahjong tournament — formats, scoring, table assignments, registration, and software tools that handle the heavy lifting.
March 10, 2026
American Mahjong Strategy: Charleston Tips and Hand Selection
Improve your American Mahjong game with Charleston strategy, hand selection techniques, pivot points, and defensive play tips — from opening tiles to declaring Mahj.
March 10, 2026
6 Best American Mahjong Apps in 2026
Side-by-side comparison of every American Mahjong app — I Love Mahj, Eight Bam, MahJongg4Fun, Mahjic Play, and more. Features, pricing, and NMJL card support.
March 10, 2026
Best Apps to Play American Mahjong Online (2026)
Compare the top apps for online American Mahjong — I Love Mahj, MahJongg4Fun, Mahjic Play, and more. Free and paid options with real NMJL card support.
March 10, 2026
What Is the Best Mahjong Tournament Software?
Compare the top mahjong tournament tools — Bam Good Time, AMR Authority, MahjSoft, and manual methods. Find the right fit for your club's size and needs.
March 10, 2026
The Complete Guide to Managing a Mahjong Club Online
Everything you need to run a mahjong club — software, payments, rosters, communication, and growth. The definitive resource for mahjong club organizers.
March 10, 2026
How to Collect Payments for Mahjong Events
Stop chasing players for cash. Learn how to collect mahjong event payments online with Stripe, track Venmo and cash, and manage refunds — all in one place.
March 10, 2026
How to Create a Mahjong Club Website in Minutes
Get a free club website with event listings, custom branding, and a public directory entry — no web development needed. Just create your club on Bam Good Time.
March 10, 2026
How to Grow Your Mahjong Event from 8 to 80 Players
Practical tactics to grow your mahjong club — from consistency and welcoming beginners to online discovery, social media, and smart event planning.
March 10, 2026
How to Import Your Mahjong Club Roster Online
Export your member list as a CSV, upload it to Bam Good Time, and your entire roster is imported in under a minute — with accounts created automatically.
March 10, 2026
How to Learn American Mahjong: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Everything you need to start playing American Mahjong — tiles, the NMJL card, Charleston, gameplay basics, and the best apps and resources for learning.
March 10, 2026
How to Manage a Mahjong Club Waitlist
Set a capacity limit, enable automatic waitlisting, and let the system handle bumps and notifications when spots open. No manual shuffling required.
March 10, 2026
How to Play American Mahjong with Friends Online
Create a private room, share the code, and play American Mahjong with friends online. Compare platforms for private games — I Love Mahj, MahJongg4Fun, and Mahjic Play.
March 10, 2026
How to Run a Mahjong Tournament in 2026: The Modern Guide
Everything you need to organize a mahjong tournament — from registration and formats to scoring and standings. Modern software replaces paper sign-up sheets and manual bracket math.
March 10, 2026
How to Run a Multi-Week Mahjong Series
Sell a series pass, link your events, and let players RSVP week by week. Simplify payment collection and build commitment with a multi-week mahjong series.
March 10, 2026
How to Score a Mahjong Tournament: Software vs Paper
Paper scoring works for tiny tournaments, but software saves hours and eliminates errors at scale. Compare the pros and cons — and see how Bam Good Time handles scoring.
March 10, 2026
How to Set Up a Mahjong League with Online Scoring
Learn how to organize a mahjong league with season structure, rotation patterns, live scoring, and automatic standings — all online.
March 10, 2026
How to Set Up Online Registration for Mahjong Events
Create your event, set the capacity and price, share the link, and let players register and pay in one step. Real-time RSVPs, waitlists, and payment tracking.
March 10, 2026
Mahjong Apps Compared: I Love Mahj vs Eight Bam vs Mahjic Play
A detailed head-to-head comparison of the three most popular American Mahjong apps — UI design, gameplay, learning tools, multiplayer, pricing, and unique features.
March 10, 2026
Mahjong Club Communication: Email, SMS, and Push Notifications
Keep your mahjong club members informed with automatic email confirmations, event reminders, SMS messages, and push notifications — without overwhelming anyone.
March 10, 2026
How to Handle Mahjong Club Finances: Revenue, Passes, and Discounts
Track event revenue, sell series passes and punch cards, offer discount codes, and keep your mahjong club's finances organized — all in one dashboard.
March 10, 2026
Mahjong Tournament Formats: Round Robin, Swiss, and Elimination
Choose the right tournament format for your mahjong group. Compare round robin, Swiss pairing, and single elimination — with player minimums, time estimates, and pros and cons.
March 10, 2026
What Is the NMJL Card and How Do You Read It?
The NMJL card is the annual hand guide for American Mahjong. Learn what it is, how to read the notation, and how the card categories work — with examples.
February 25, 2026
American Mahjong Rules: A Beginner's Guide
Learn American Mahjong step by step — tiles, the NMJL card, Charleston, Jokers, calling, scoring, and dead hands. Everything a new player needs to start.
February 25, 2026
Best Mahjong Set for American Mahjong (2026)
A buyer's guide to American Mahjong sets — 152-tile count, melamine vs. acrylic, size, racks, and accessories. Pick the right set for your game nights.
February 25, 2026
How to Find Mahjong Players Near You
Looking for a mahjong group? Here's where to find players in your area — from community centers and online directories to starting your own club.
February 25, 2026
The History of American Mahjong: From 1920s Craze to Modern Revival
From its origins in China to the 1920s American craze to today's modern revival — the fascinating story of how mahjong became America's favorite tile game.
February 25, 2026
How to Start a Mahjong Club (Step-by-Step)
Learn how to start a mahjong club or organize an informal mahjong group in 2026. Covers finding players, managing RSVPs, and growing from 4 to 50+ members.
February 25, 2026
Mahjong and Brain Health: What Research Shows
Daily mahjong play cut dementia risk by 37% in a 10-year study. See what dozens of peer-reviewed studies say about mahjong, memory, and cognitive health.
February 25, 2026
Mahjong Etiquette: 12 Unwritten Rules Every Player Should Know
From tile handling to table talk, here are the unwritten rules of mahjong etiquette that keep game night fun for everyone.
February 25, 2026
5 Mahjong Strategy Tips That Will Transform Your Game
From reading the NMJL card strategically to knowing when to play defense, these five tips will level up your American Mahjong game.
February 25, 2026
Mahjong vs. Rummy: Key Differences Explained
Mahjong and rummy share draw-and-discard DNA, but mahjong adds deeper strategy, social play, and a new challenge every year. See the full side-by-side.
February 25, 2026
Understanding the NMJL Card: How to Read This Year's Mahjong Hands
The annual NMJL card can be intimidating for new players. Here's a friendly guide to understanding categories, symbols, and how to pick your winning hand.
February 25, 2026
Our Story: Why We Built Bam Good Time
How one organizer's struggle to manage her mahjong club led to a platform built for every club organizer.