The Mahj Lodge

Category: Learning · Twin Cities American Mahjong classes
Also called: Mahj Lodge MN; mahjlodgemn.com; The Mahj Lodge Minnetonka
Last checked: 2026-09-25

What it is

The Mahj Lodge is a first-party American Mahjong teaching practice in the Twin Cities west metro, on mahjlodgemn.com. It runs a beginner Introduction to American Mahjong class and a Mahjong: Beyond the Basics class using the current NMJL card, plus private lessons and group or corporate events. It advertises an instructor at every table. Its main identity is lessons. It also hosts secondary instructor-supported open play, but it is not an equipment shop and not a JCC drop-in calendar.

Who it’s for

Minneapolis–St. Paul west-metro beginners and early players who want small-table, hands-on NMJL instruction. It is a separate business from the Minneapolis Mah Jongg Club (mplsmahjclub.com), which is already listed as a local group, and from the other teachers on disk (School of American Mah Jongg, Order of the Tile, Atlanta Mentors, Mahj Life, Mahjong with Kim, The Mahj Playbook, Classical Mahjong, etc.).

Why it’s listed

The plaza needs an unused first-party teacher/course page with loadable curriculum copy, named instructors, and a stated venue.

• Homepage (https://www.mahjlodgemn.com/) returned 200 on 2026-09-25 under “The Mahj Lodge | Mahjong Classes in Minnetonka.” Copy: “Whether you are new to American Mahjong or looking to advance your game, we offer lessons, play nights, and community events that help you learn, compete, and have fun in the Twin Cities.” Service area: Minnetonka, Edina, Excelsior, Plymouth, and surrounding area.
• Learn to Play page (https://www.mahjlodgemn.com/lessons) returned 200. Introduction to American Mahjong covers tile basics, reading the NMJL card, breaking down the Charleston, and practicing real hands. Mahjong: Beyond the Basics covers discards, reading exposures, defensive play, and hand selection, for players who have finished an intro class. Open Play sessions have instructors on hand for questions. Also on the page: “Tiles, racks, mats, and National Mahongg League cards are all provided for use during class. NMJL cards will be available to purchase on-site.”
• FAQ (https://www.mahjlodgemn.com/faq) returned 200. It says “The majority of our lessons are in Minnetonka at Boom Island Brewing” and offers in-home private lessons in Edina, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Chanhassen, Wayzata, and Hopkins. Other points: it uses the current NMJL card, lessons are planned around four participants per table, and cancellations at least five (5) days ahead get a full refund (later cancellations can transfer; no refunds for no-shows).
• About page (https://www.mahjlodgemn.com/about) returned 200. It names four instructors, Gail Baumgart, Cari Dakin, Jen E, and Marcy Lepine, and says Gail is an Oh My Mahjong Certified Instructor. It names Boom Island Brewing in Minnetonka as the home base.
• Private Events page (https://www.mahjlodgemn.com/private-events) returned 200. It offers one-time or multi-week private sessions and corporate team-building. Tiles, mats, and racks are included, and NMJL cards are available.

The Classes page (https://www.mahjlodgemn.com/classes) returned 200, but its booking calendar is an embedded scheduler that printed no dates or prices in the fetched HTML. No public class price or date was citeable on the check date. Confirm dates and rates through the live booking widget before paying.

Official URL

Home: https://www.mahjlodgemn.com/

Learn to Play: https://www.mahjlodgemn.com/lessons

FAQ: https://www.mahjlodgemn.com/faq

About / instructors: https://www.mahjlodgemn.com/about

Classes (booking): https://www.mahjlodgemn.com/classes

Location

Twin Cities west metro, Minnesota. Most group lessons are at Boom Island Brewing, Minnetonka (per the FAQ). In-home private lessons cover Edina, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Chanhassen, Wayzata, and Hopkins. The site does not print a street address. Contact is cari@mahjlodgemn.com.

Notes

• Learning / teacher: American Mahjong on the current NMJL card. Open play is secondary. List it under Learning, not Local groups.
• One instructor is OMM-certified per the About page. That does not make it an Oh My Mahjong property; OMM is listed separately as equipment.
• First-party mahjlodgemn.com (Squarespace) site. Not a MahjongFinder scrape.
• Not affiliated with Mahjong Plaza.

FAQ

Q: Does The Mahj Lodge teach total beginners?
A: Yes. On 2026-09-25 the Learn to Play page offered an Introduction to American Mahjong class for people brand new to the game, covering tiles, the NMJL card, the Charleston, and practice hands.

Q: Where are classes held?
A: The FAQ said most lessons are at Boom Island Brewing in Minnetonka, with in-home private lessons in several west-metro suburbs.

Q: Do I need to bring tiles or a card?
A: No. The site says tiles, racks, mats, and NMJL cards are provided during class, and NMJL cards are for sale on-site.