Portland

Rain-streaked windows and steaming mugs of oolong define Portland’s tile strategy circles. In the Jade District, elder Chinese and Hong Kong-style masters preserve ancestral patterns, while neighborhood halls from St. Johns to Sellwood maintain American mahjongg traditions that predate the city’s modern growth. The moss-heavy Pacific Northwest air creates a cozy, focused atmosphere inside libraries and tea houses, where the focus remains on sharp wits rather than mere chance. Portland’s independent streak fuels an eclectic landscape where microbrewery backrooms and basement co-ops host Riichi mahjong sessions for university students and strategy fans. Meanwhile, senior centers and neighborhood churches hold space for established American-style circles. This geography of quadrants creates localized pockets of play, where the city’s dense residential layout allows neighbors to gather without long commutes, often meeting in the quiet corners of public parks or craft-oriented cafes. Navigation begins with bulletin boards and social media groups, where patient teachers value social connection over cutthroat competition. Newcomers observe hands in public library branches before joining established groups that embody the 'Keep Portland Weird' spirit. Transit-linked venues allow intergenerational mixing between retirees and expats, ensuring that the ancient language of tiles thrives alongside the city's evolving cultural identity.