In the 1920s, Mahjongg arrived in the U.S. with a touch of mystery—and a bit of rule-bending. Wealthy travelers returning from China were so eager to bring sets home that they reportedly smuggled tiles in their luggage to avoid customs duties, sometimes hiding them under clothes or splitting them across bags.

The game’s popularity skyrocketed thanks to Joseph Babcock, an American businessman living in Shanghai who fell in love with the game. He simplified the rules, coined the name Mah-Jongg, and published The Red Book of Rules to help launch a nationwide craze.

By the 1950s, Mahjongg had become deeply rooted in Jewish-American communities, particularly among women. Weekly games—complete with snacks, small stakes, and laughter—became a cherished tradition in suburban living rooms. As one writer put it:

“Mahjongg was therapy before anyone paid for it.”

Today, the tradition continues—and evolves. During the pandemic, Mahjongg made a comeback with younger players discovering it through Instagram, TikTok, and modern reboots of the classic tile sets. New brands have introduced vibrant, pastel-colored tiles and pop culture-themed sets, bringing the game to a new audience while sparking conversations about honoring its cultural roots.