What’s Your Mahjong Mind?

In conversation with Sheetal and Sangeeta.

Have you ever wondered what the significance of the Mahjong scene in Crazy Rich Asians was? It wasn’t about winning; it was about winning; it was about sending a message. If that scene left you hooked, welcome to a world where luck, strategy, and a little bit of drama collide: the Mahjong tables of India.

It’s a game of Chinese origin that has immigrated to India and become one of the most sought-after kitty party activities. Mahjong is currency exchange at an acceptable, desirable rate. We had the privilege to speak with two Mahjong mavens: Sangeeta Kewalramani, founder of House of Mahjong, a brand that has been a labor of 15 years of love for the game, and Sheetal Patel, co-founder of Let’s Mahjong, who traces her love of Mahjong back to her mother.

Based on our conversation, we’ve categorized types of Mahjong players. Find out which one you are:

THE GENERATIONAL GAMER

Learnt from a parent, is a parent, taught their kid.

When asked to describe what Mahjong means to Sheetal, she said, “It’s about me being my mum.” A “rummy mummy” as she called it, her mother was the original ‘not a regular mom, cool mom’. Now, she plays Chinese rummy i.e., Mahjong with her two daughters, classifying her as a generational gamer.

THE SILENT SCIENTIST

Masters of quiet calculations.

Every flicker of hesitation, every discarded tile, and every subtle shift around the table is data. For them, Mahjong is less about luck and more about decoding patterns, reading reactions, and making informed moves.  As Sangeeta puts it, “Observation is everything.” It’s a delicate dance of memory, logic, and intuition. Sheetal reaffirms that being skillful comes down to “being observant, patient, and adaptable."

THE MAHJONG MENTOR

Always begins sentences with, “Mahjong taught me that...”

For them, Mahjong is more than a game; it's a school of life. Their approach is similar to that of a life coach, finding meaning in the wins and the losses. As Sheetal reflects, “To not have tunnel vision and embrace flexibility in life” is one of Mahjong’s greatest teachings. Sangeeta echoes this sentiment: “Life, like Mahjong, is a mix of luck and preparation- you learn to make the best of whatever hand (or tile) you’re dealt.”

SPIRITUAL SENSEI

Believes the table is a sacred space where energy and intention intertwine.  

Superstitions run deep: like Sheetal, who believes her black hair tie swirling around her thumb brings her good fortune. Certain dos and don’ts are taken seriously: tapping a player on their back or shoulder is considered bad luck. If you’ve been on a losing streak, Sangeeta swears by a quick reset - “take a short break, wash your hands and cleanse yourself of your bad luck.” 

Sangeeta lets us in on the rituals cherished within her Mahjong circle. Each player is responsible for building their own set of tiles. “The sound of the tiles being shuffled, known as the ‘Twittering of Sparrows’, is magical”, she shares. She describes this as clearing the air. “We then make sure that we close the walls (of tiles) we built as it’s symbolic of keeping good energy and not allowing it to escape”, says Sangeeta.  

THE FASHION FOLK

Dresses to play, plays to dress up.

As Sangeeta shares, “Mahjong and fashion go hand in hand.” From Loewe’s iconic campaign staged around a Mahjong table to Hermès’ luxury Mahjong sets, fashion and the game intertwine seamlessly. There are even rules of style at the table - “no fussy sleeves” to keep the tiles safe from wardrobe mishaps, and wearing red is associated with good fortune. Sheetal notes the contrast between games at clubs, where players dress casually, and private Mahjong parties, where women arrive sharp and “dressed for success”. For the Fashion Folk, what you wear is as much a part of the game as the tiles themselves.

LOEWE Fall Winter 2022 men's campaign was created in collaboration with GR8.

Deemed as ‘the new poker night’, the Mahjong wave has been flowing through Mumbai with no plans to ebb any time soon. If you haven’t identified the type of Mahjong player you are and are looking to begin playing, let our two experts help you through it. Taking from Sangeeta and Sheetal, about 8 to 10 sessions are required to learn the foundations. In about 3 to 4 sessions bi-weekly, you can catch hold of the basic rules. Both Mahjong connoisseurs urge novices to practice and immerse themselves in the game. Sangeeta encourages newbies to be open and respect the Chinese heritage and culture from which Mahjong is derived.  

“It’s like learning a language, the more you use it, the more fluent you become”, says Sangeeta. 

And if you’re picking up Mahjong? “It’s the best decision ever, so stick with it,” cheers Sheetal.