At the Table with HopToi Mahjong Club

This week on At the Table with HopToi Mahjong, we're sitting down with Gladys Grad, the OG disruptor of American Mahjong!Long before Mahjong became everyone's favorite obsession, Gladys was shaking things up. From organizing massive tournaments and cruises to creating Siamese Mahjong, she's spent decades finding new ways to play the game we love.We talk about her fascinating history in the Mahjong world, her experiences running huge tournaments for the National Mah Jongg League, how Siamese Mahjong came to be, and, of course, her latest creation: Black Dragons!Why do we need another dragon? What's the deal with the stickers? And are we really supposed to put them on our very expensive tiles?Whether you're a longtime player, curious about Siamese Mahjong, or just love a little Mahjong history, Gladys has stories you won't want to miss.Want to learn more about Siamese Mahjong or find Gladys?Visit mahjongg.org for Siamese Mahjong rules, cards, resources, and more.Follow At the Table with HopToi Mahjong for more conversations, Mahjong opinions, and a little table talk.

In this episode Lauren calls mahj… and it was not mahj. Catherine is absolutely thrilled, and we’re breaking down how the wrong dragons made it happen and why checking your hand matters more than you think. Plus a little Mahj Lore 101 as we cover the Unger family and somehow end up discussing Khloé and Lamar drama too. Strategy, etiquette, and classic table talk all in one episode.

In this episode, we’re talking about a question that’s been coming up a lot lately in the mahjong world and beyond: are we too quick to tear down women who are doing well? We share our thoughts following the recent conversation around Oh My Mahjong and explore what it really means to support other women—especially in growing communities like mahjong.Then we get into another classic debate: are you more comfortable with guys or girls? (According to Lauren… there’s only one right answer.) We talk about being a girls’ girl, building strong tables, and why women supporting women matters more than ever.We’re also joined by the sweet and seriously cool Giuliana Sisk of Palm Beach Mahjong to chat about her mahjong community, friendship at the table, and the Palm Beach mahj scene. Giuliana will also be our special guest at Marissa Collections on April 6, and we can’t wait to play together in person!If you love mahjong, thoughtful conversation, and a little red-flag energy along the way… this episode’s for you.

Mahjong players all have their superstitions… and we are no exception. In this episode we dive into the little rituals, beliefs, and downright paranoia that show up at the mahjong table. Are the tiles sentient? Do they punish you if you complain about your hand?We also discuss the one thing every mahjong player is currently obsessing over: the upcoming 2026 NMJL card. Are we calmly waiting? Absolutely not.Plus, we go down a rabbit hole about Love Story, the lore around JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and whether this whole story we heard could possibly be real.Mahjong superstition, pop culture tangents, and the eternal question: are the tiles actually listening?

This episode is a little bit literature, a little bit mahj, and very much superstition coded. We’re talking Wuthering Heights, adjusting your Mahjong expectations as a beginner, and most importantly the Year of the Fire Horse. We break down what this powerful and slightly dramatic year means and what not to do and not do for luck, beginning on the Chinese New Year, February 17th.Fair warning, our audio is a little wonky this episode. Please don’t judge. We’re just three girls doing our best 🔥🐎🍜

This week, we’re covering it all. From our Grammys hot takes (fashion, snubs, and moments we’re still thinking about) to a candid conversation on why not every headline needs to turn political. We try to live life with Cher's energy namely her legendary quote, “Mom, I am a rich man" . We take a quick detour into our current obsession with Bridgerton, because escapism matters, and then get back to the table to break down the difference between tournament play and open play events. Whether you’re here for pop culture, thoughtful conversation, or mahjong strategy, this episode proves there’s room for all of it.

Welcome back to the show! Today we are at the table with the one and only Jenna Baum, who, along with her husband Matt, is the visionary behind Backyard Social in Fort Myers! Jenna is here to spill some exciting inside secrets about what’s coming next for Backyard Social’s restaurants and future projects.We also dive into Susan’s childhood obsession with both Jenna and volleyball, and talk about what it’s really like growing up in Fort Myers and choosing to move back home.On top of that, we chat about the sections in the brand-new international card from Oh My Mahjong. 🀄Plus, Backyard Social is hosting a Children’s Entrepreneur Market this Saturday, and you absolutely should check it out! Head over to backyardsocial.com for all the details and to plan your visit.Let’s jump in! 🎉

We’re back with our annual holiday mahj and champagne tasting tradition 🍾🀄️ cards clacking, tiles flying, and bubbles flowing. This year we welcomed Arielle to the table, who definitely did not buy her way in with a fancy bottle of Egly-Ouriet Brut Champagne… just kidding. We love her. And we loved the champagne.Alongside Arielle’s Egly-Ouriet, we popped Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut, Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve, and Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut Aÿ Champagne-because holiday mahj deserves nothing less.At the table: Arielle holds her own like a seasoned pro, Susan plays impressively despite being fully powered by allergy meds, Catherine-true to form-is neither a good winner nor a good loser but still manages a solid second place, Lauren takes first (per usual), and Lauren (also per usual) is just happy to be there.We also attempt to coin a new mahj term for that hand that’s almost heavenly but still a win within a few tiles. Is it destiny? Skill? Champagne? We’re calling it a “Lucky Linda.”Cheers to tradition, tiles, and top-tier bubbles. 🥂