By Valerie Milano
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 5/9/26 – From chic living rooms in Palm Springs to daytime television buzz and social media feeds filled with colorful tiles and vintage game sets, Mahjong is suddenly everywhere again. But according to Palm Springs Mahjong enthusiast and teacher Lance Karp, the beloved game never really disappeared. It simply waited for the right moment to return.
In an interview with The Hollywood Times, Karp shared why Mahjong is experiencing a modern renaissance and why so many people are finding connection, purpose, and community around the table.
“Mahjong is creating order out of chaos through the random picking of tiles,” Karp explained with unmistakable passion. “We mix up 152 tiles, distribute them among four people, and somehow create this beautiful tapestry. It’s strategy, intuition, and community all at once.”
For those unfamiliar with the game, American Mahjong is played with a yearly card issued by the National Mahjong League that outlines hundreds of possible hands players can build throughout the game. The experience combines concentration, social interaction, competition, and aesthetics into one highly addictive pastime.
And right now, people cannot seem to get enough of it.
Karp says today’s Mahjong boom mirrors a similar explosion in popularity during the 1920s, when the Chinese game was adapted for American audiences and became a nationwide phenomenon.
“This has happened before,” he said. “In the 1920s, Mahjong was even more popular than what we’re seeing today. Then the Depression came, the game evolved differently in different places, and eventually the National Mahjong League was formed in 1937 to standardize the American game.”
While Mahjong’s history stretches back nearly 300 years to China, its emotional appeal may be more relevant now than ever.
“We’re living in divided times,” Karp reflected. “But when we come to the Mahjong table, we are community. We embrace each other’s victories and losses. We become human again.”
That sense of connection is one reason the game has exploded in places like Palm Springs, where social gatherings and wellness culture naturally complement Mahjong’s slower, more intentional rhythm.
“There’s something spiritual about being in the desert,” Karp said. “You walk outside and see the mountains and the beauty around you, and Mahjong becomes part of that experience. It engages all of your senses. You see the tiles, hear the tiles, touch the tiles, smell the food around the table, taste the snacks, it becomes this beautiful sensory experience.”
For Karp, Mahjong is also deeply personal. He grew up around the game, watching his grandmother and aunts play decades ago, long before he ever learned the rules himself.“I remember the sound of the tiles when I was a child,” he recalled. “During COVID, my neighbors taught me the game I grew up around. It was love at first sight. I realized this was what I wanted to do in retirement. It felt like bringing my grandmother back into my life.”
Today, Karp teaches Mahjong throughout Palm Springs while building a growing online following through his Instagram page, “Maj with Lance,” where he shares lessons, Mahjong-inspired fashion, and enthusiasm for the game’s rapidly expanding community.
And while Mahjong can certainly become competitive, Karp believes the true magic lies elsewhere.
“Yes, everybody loves to win,” he laughed. “But the greatest joy for me is teaching someone and seeing that spark happen for them. They gain confidence. They find community. They want to bring other people into it. That’s the real high.”
For beginners intimidated by the game’s learning curve, Karp encourages people to start small.
“There are incredible videos online now, wonderful teachers everywhere, and plenty of affordable starter sets on Amazon, Etsy, or even secondhand shops,” he said. “You don’t need the most expensive set to begin. Just start playing.”
Of course, once people fall in love with Mahjong, many quickly discover another obsession: collecting stunning vintage sets and colorful accessories.
“There are breathtaking sets out there,” Karp said. “I especially love the vintage sets from the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s. The sound of those old tiles is incredible.”
“Mahjong brings purpose and focus to your life,” he said. “And honestly, who doesn’t need that today?”
To learn more about Mahjong or connect with Lance Karp, visit his Instagram page: Instagram – Mahjwithlance
The full interview will also appear on The Hollywood Times Official YouTube Channel.
