Lehi neighbors Amanda Beirdneau and Betty Parker have launched a mahjong venture called Our Mahjong Table to bring people together through the tile game. According to a September 22 report by the Lehi Free Press, the group offers lessons, open play, and a new competitive league for players of varying skill levels.
The business provides Mahjong 101 beginner lessons on Thursday nights at Lehi Bakery on Lehi Main St. While the current mahjong league is full, the organizers have planned a Holiday League to take place on Tuesday nights from late October through early December. This upcoming league will consist of a six-week session where players aim for six games per table during a two-hour window, with points accumulating each round to determine a winner.
Beirdneau and Parker noted that they decided to start a league because they had not seen anyone in Utah host one for mahjong. The league is designed as a social setting where players switch tables to meet new people, similar to the social dynamics of pickleball. In addition to regular sessions, the group offers private events, date nights, and has plans to introduce tournament play in the future.
The founders' backgrounds assist in managing the business, with Beirdneau acting as a social butterfly and Parker utilizing her professional experience in human resources and compensation. They receive weekly assistance from Parker's son and their husbands, who help set up tables and guide beginners through gameplay during the Mahjong 101 sessions.
Looking ahead, the founders hope to collaborate with other local mahjong groups and potentially host joint mahjong and pickleball nights at local spots. Those interested in the game can find more information at ourmahjongtable.com or via their social media channels on Instagram and Facebook.
The business aims to help players overcome the initial frustration of learning the complex rules and nuances of American mahjong. Parker stated that once players learn how to form a hand, they often find the game to be a fun, competitive, and social activity that does not require a high-pressure environment.
