Mahjong has been growing in popularity across the country, and now you can learn and play right here at The Portal Downtown in Panama City, FL.

Whether you’re completely new to the game or looking to sharpen your skills, our Mahjong lessons are designed to help players feel comfortable at the table while having fun in a welcoming environment.

Many of our students are seeing Mahjong tiles for the very first time — and that’s exactly who our beginner classes are designed for.

Start with Mahjong 101

If you’ve been curious about Mahjong but weren’t sure where to begin, Mahjong 101: Learn to Play is the perfect place to start.

In this hands-on beginner class, players learn:

• The Mahjong tiles and what they mean • How to understand the basics of the National Mah Jongg League card • How Mahjong hands are built using sets and patterns • The Charleston tile-passing process • How to play a full game

We start with guided practice using a simplified beginner card to help players learn the flow of the game before transitioning to the official Mahjong card and playing a full round together.

Classes are held in our private back room and limited to 8 players, creating a relaxed learning environment where everyone receives plenty of guidance and table time.

Each class also includes a signature soda from The Portal, a beginner reference guide to take home and 10% off most Mahjong items.

Mahjong 101 is the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.

Mahjong 102: Strategy & Skill Building

Once players understand the basics, Mahjong 102 focuses on improving gameplay and strategy.

In this class we explore:

• Choosing the best hands from the card • Charleston strategy • Reading discards and defensive play • Joker strategy and tile efficiency

Players participate in guided play while discussing strategy and decision-making throughout the game.

Like Mahjong 101, this class is held in our private back room with a maximum of 8 players to keep the experience interactive.

Mahjong 102 is the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.

Mahjong 103: Guided Play & Coaching

For players who want to keep improving, Mahjong 103 offers guided play with instructor support.

Instead of a lecture-style class, players participate in full games while receiving coaching and real-time advice.

This session takes place during Tile Tuesday, our weekly Mahjong community night.

Players in Mahjong 103 receive instruction and coaching while other tables participate in open play, creating a great environment to practice and build confidence.

Each Mahjong 103 session includes a signature soda from The Portal.

Mahjong 103 is the third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.

The Best Way to Start: The Beginner Series

If you’re new to Mahjong, our Mahjong Beginner Series provides the best path to building confidence.

The series includes:

• Mahjong 101 – Learn to Play (1st Tuesday) • Mahjong 102 – Strategy & Skill Building (2nd Tuesday) • Mahjong 103 – Guided Play & Coaching (3rd Tuesday)

This three-class series walks players step-by-step from learning the tiles to confidently playing full games.

Tile Tuesday: Mahjong Open Play

Every Tuesday night, The Portal hosts Tile Tuesday, our weekly Mahjong community night.

This relaxed open-play session is a great opportunity to practice your skills, meet other players, and enjoy a fun evening of Mahjong.

Whether you’ve taken Mahjong 101 or already know how to play, everyone is welcome.

Mahjong sets are available. Players just need their National Mahjong League Card.

Drinks and snacks are available for purchase.

The Sparrow's Nest: A cozy Mahjong nook

We’ve also added something new for our Mahjong players at The Portal Downtown — The Sparrow’s Nest.

Located next to our Mahjong retail section, The Sparrow’s Nest is a dedicated Mahjong space with a permanent table always set up and ready to play. It’s the perfect spot to gather with friends, practice between classes, or enjoy a casual game surrounded by our Mahjong market.

Players can drop in with their Mahjong group or reserve the table for a small gathering.

Drop-in play is $10 per player for up to three hours.

We currently have one Mahjong table available and plan to expand the Nest with additional tables as our Mahjong community continues to grow.

Join the Mahjong Community

One of the best parts of learning Mahjong at The Portal is the community that forms around the tables.

Many players start with Mahjong 101 and quickly become regulars at Tile Tuesday, building friendships while improving their game.

If you’ve been curious about Mahjong, now is the perfect time to learn.