FAQ
Questions, answered
The things first-timers actually ask, answered the way we’d answer them at the front desk — first sentence first.
First visit
Before you come by
- Do I need to know how to play?
- No — not even a little. Tell us it’s your first time and we’ll get you watching a hand, then playing one. Lessons start from zero, and open play always has room for a beginner.
- Do I need to bring my own group?
- No. Mahjong needs four players, and finding you the other three is the host’s job — the staffer who runs the room. Come alone and we’ll seat you at a friendly table.
- Do I need my own mahjong set?
- No — every table here is set with club tiles and racks. If you want a set for home, ask and we’ll point you at a good starter one.
- What should I bring?
- Nothing is required — the table is set before you sit down. Bring a friend if you like; we’ll seat you either way.
- Will I slow the table down?
- Not at a table we’ve seated you at. The host’s job is matching — first-timers sit with players who like teaching, and beginner tables run at beginner pace. Everyone at those tables was new once; mahjong people remember that.
- Is there an age minimum?
- We’ll post the age policy for the studio and the bar before opening day. Until then, ask us — we’re happy to answer directly.
The game
About American mahjong
- What styles of mahjong do you play?
- American mahjong — the style played with racks, jokers, and a card of winning hands. Every session plays it, from Mahjong 101 to League Night.
- Is this gambling?
- No. This is a social club — the game is played for the game. Nothing rides on a hand except bragging rights over the next one.
- How long does a game take?
- A single hand runs somewhere between ten and thirty minutes — quicker as reading the card gets familiar. An evening is as many hands as you feel like; nobody’s timing you.
- What’s the Charleston?
- The Charleston is the tile-passing ritual that opens play in American mahjong: three tiles passed right, across, then left — with an optional second round back the other way — before the first discard. It’s where a rough deal starts becoming a plan, and it’s one of the first things lessons make second nature.
- What are jokers for?
- Jokers are the American game’s wild tiles — eight in play. A joker stands in for any tile inside a group of three or more identical ones, never in a pair and never on its own, and jokers can’t be passed in the Charleston. Most of a hand’s drama is about who’s holding them.
- Is American mahjong hard to learn?
- Easier than its reputation. The turn-by-turn rules fit in one sitting — a first lesson gets you through real hands the same day. The depth is the card, which changes every year — that’s what keeps the game interesting for decades, and it’s a feature, not a barrier.
Logistics
The practical part
- What does it cost to play?
- Open play is $10 per person, per hour, plus tax, or covered by a membership — membership tiers are taking shape on the Play page. And once the doors open, there’s free Community Open Play every Monday, 6 PM–9 PM — the easiest first visit there is.
- Can I reserve a table?
- Yes, once we open: members reserve seats ahead in the members app, and anyone can walk in any time we’re open. Booking opens with our opening date.
- Can I book the room for a private event?
- Yes — birthdays, showers, team nights, and standing group bookings all run as private events. A host stays with the room, so nobody has to already know the game.
- Where exactly are you?
- 25751 Perdido Beach Blvd, Suite A3, Orange Beach, Alabama 36561. In the Publix shopping center, between Jersey Mike's and Angry Crab.
- Is the space accessible?
- We’ll confirm accessibility and parking details here once the buildout is complete. Ask us before you come and we’ll answer directly.
- How do I get in touch?
- Instagram is the fastest line today — say hello at @thesaltytile. You can also call (678) 549-2315 or email contact@saltytile.com. The address and hours are on every page of this site, and they always match.