Morah mahjong
Allison Colker
I’m excited you’re here! I love teaching new mahjong players and sharing my love of the game. I’ve been obsessed with board games, card games, and tile games basically my entire life. I can get pretty competitive. My family won’t even play Monopoly with me!
My love of card games was born during summers in the 80s at Camp Louise. Endless games of the card game Spit along with jacks and Chinese jumprope. My favorite card games of all time are Rummy 500 and Gin Rummy. I played throughout my teen and young adult years with my grandmother. Sometimes my mom would join us too.
My love of both board games and the card game Rummy led to a lifelong love of the game Rummikub. That was my first exposure to a tiles, racks, sets, and runs. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was laying the foundation for my one true love–mahjong! I was always mahjong curious, growing up with the rare Jewish mother who didn’t play mahj. Once my girlfriends taught me mahj, I’ve never looked back!
Once I discovered my love of mahj and quality time with the girls, I expanded from one regular mahj group to four. I formed my additional three groups of friends who didn’t know mahjong. I taught those groups and we’ve now been going strong with regular games. We focused on dialing in the basics before I began sharing nuances of strategy and defense. Now I’m excited to bring my group lessons to you!
In addition to my love of the game itself, I am totally obsessed with the modern mahj aesthetic! I collect sets of modern designer tiles, mats, and racks that put an elegant, elevated spin on mahj night. I set a beautiful mahj tablescape that creates a luxury experience for my guests. Modern mahj is not your mother’s mahjong!
For over three decades, I have worked as an educator in the religious school setting, early childhood education, and as a b’nai mitzvah tutor. Now I use my 30+ years of teaching experience to make my group mahjong lessons learning-filled and fun. I’m excited to teach you and your group of friends! Reach out and let’s get you playing mahj!