MKE Mahjong

Category: Learning
Also called: MKE Mahjong with Julie Littman; Julie Littman; Milwaukee American Mah Jongg lessons
Last checked: 2026-09-10

What it is

MKE Mahjong is a first-party American Mah Jongg (National Mah Jongg League card) instructor practice in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: priced group lessons, private 1-on-1 coaching, mahjong parties, plus a seasonal new-NMJL-card refresher for existing players. Founder and instructor Julie Littman. It is not Japanese Riichi, not Chinese-family table mahjong, not the National Mah Jongg League, and not a 4-player public game server.

Who it’s for

Beginners and brush-up players in Milwaukee and nearby suburbs (Wauwatosa, Brookfield, North Shore, Mequon / Cedarburg, Waukesha / Lake Country, and similar) who want a structured American Mah Jongg lesson path at home, office, club, or partner venue — plus returning players seeking private strategy refreshers or an annual new-card walkthrough. Distinct from national virtual schools already on Plaza and from JCC-only drop-in calendars (including JCC Milwaukee open play).

Why it’s listed

This is a named US instructor brand with its own school site, printed lesson prices and a three-session beginner arc, NMJL / American wording, and first-party Lessons / About pages — not a Facebook-only teacher and not a brand already on disk (not Lara, Molly, Mrs Mahj, Master Your Mahjong, Mahj Over Matter, School of American, AMJA, NMJL, Mahj Life, Atlanta Mentors, Mahj Mind, or Oh My Mahjong as primary).

• Homepage (https://www.mkemahjong.com/) on 2026-09-10: “Learn American Mah Jongg in Milwaukee”; beginner-friendly group and private lessons; instructor brings tiles, racks, cards, and mats. Essentials named on-page: Charleston, jokers, calling, reading the card. Most beginners playing real hands by the end of the first session, comfortable at any table after three or four.
• Lessons hub (https://www.mkemahjong.com/lessons) on 2026-09-10: teaches American Mah Jongg (National Mah Jongg League rules) anywhere a card table fits. Printed pricing table: Group lesson — $50 / person, 2 hours, 3 or more players; Private 1-on-1 — $150 / session, 2 hours. Recommends 3 sessions for brand-new players. Flow: schedule personally → pick table & time → instructor brings tiles, racks, NMJL cards, mats → guided play on day one.
• Group Lessons (https://www.mkemahjong.com/lessons/group): $50 / person, 2-hour session, groups of 3+, Milwaukee area; 3 sessions recommended from never-touched-a-tile to running your own game night. Curriculum blocks: tiles / NMJL card / wall & first guided hand; Charleston drills; gameplay, calling, exposures, joker swaps, table etiquette. Ideal group sizes noted as 4 or 8.
• Private Lessons (https://www.mkemahjong.com/lessons/private): $150 for 2 hours at home or partner venue; positioned for refreshers, strategy (hand selection, discards, joker timing), and returning players — site notes total beginners usually learn faster in a group.
• About Julie (https://www.mkemahjong.com/about): Julie Littman — certified Oh My Mahjong® instructor; learned at her grandmother’s table; teaches women, men, couples, and teens. Printed package stamp: group $50 / person, private $150, parties $400 for up to eight players. Explicit: American Mah Jongg by NMJL rules (annual card, jokers, Charleston). New students can get an official NMJL card at the first lesson for $15, while supplies last.
• New Card Class (https://www.mkemahjong.com/new-card-class): annual spring refresher when the League releases the new card (late March / April); section-by-section walkthrough for existing players and groups — not a beginner path.
• First-lesson guide (https://www.mkemahjong.com/blog/what-to-expect-first-mahjong-lesson, dated July 18, 2026): three-session arc — (1) tiles, card, deal, open-handed play, walked Charleston; (2) private racks, faster Charleston, jokers; (3) scoring, etiquette, beginner strategy toward independent Milwaukee play.

Prices above are what the official pages showed on the check date. They can change. Confirm on mkemahjong.com Lessons and Contact pages before treating a seat or rate as fixed.

Official URL

School / instructor: https://www.mkemahjong.com/

Lessons hub: https://www.mkemahjong.com/lessons

Group lessons: https://www.mkemahjong.com/lessons/group

Private lessons: https://www.mkemahjong.com/lessons/private

About Julie Littman: https://www.mkemahjong.com/about

New NMJL card class: https://www.mkemahjong.com/new-card-class

What to expect (first lesson): https://www.mkemahjong.com/blog/what-to-expect-first-mahjong-lesson

Location

Milwaukee, Wisconsin and nearby suburbs. Lessons come to the student: living rooms, offices, clubs, and partner venues (site area pages name Wauwatosa / Brookfield, North Shore, Mequon / Cedarburg, Waukesha / Lake Country, and similar). No fixed studio required. Book exact venues through the official Lessons and Contact pages.

Notes

• American Mah Jongg / NMJL. About and Lessons copy are NMJL-card American play (yearly card, jokers, Charleston). Do not list as Riichi or Chinese-family teaching.
• Primary listing is instructor / school (priced group & private curriculum + three-session beginner arc + new-card refresher). Parties and corporate tables are secondary hospitality, not the reason this is categorized Learning.
• Oh My Mahjong certification is a credential only — this is Julie Littman’s own site, not that brand’s instructor directory.
• Distinct from JCC Milwaukee Mah Jongg open-play already on Plaza (Monday drop-in at the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC).
• Not affiliated with Mahjong Plaza.

FAQ

Q: Is this Japanese Riichi or Chinese mahjong lessons?
A: No. The About and Lessons pages say MKE Mahjong teaches American Mah Jongg with National Mah Jongg League rules — the annual card, jokers, and the Charleston — the version common at Milwaukee tables.

Q: What does a lesson cost, and how many sessions do beginners need?
A: On 2026-09-10, group lessons were $50 per person for 2 hours (3+ players); private 1-on-1 was $150 for 2 hours; parties were printed at $400 for up to eight. The Lessons hub and first-lesson guide recommend about three sessions for new players. Confirm live Lessons pages for current rates.

Q: Where are lessons held, and do I need my own tiles?
A: Julie comes to you across Milwaukee and nearby suburbs (home, office, club, or partner venue). FAQ and Lessons pages: she brings tiles, racks, pushers, mats, and NMJL cards — students supply the table (and snacks if hosting). An official card may be available at the first lesson for $15 while supplies last.