Welcome to The Canasta Connection!

We are Massachusetts based mother-daughter duo Emily and Bev and we would love to teach you Canasta and American Mah Jongg.

We created a highly visual curriculum where we play, play, play! We use a step-by-step approach to help you increase your confidence and master the game! We are known for our handouts and cheat sheets that break down the game. We want to make every lesson a fun, accessible, and high quality experience.

Register Here

Upcoming Classes: Beginner

  • Beginner Canasta: Newton

    JCC of Greater Boston

    Thursdays 1/15- 2/12

    10am-12pm (FULL, join waitlist)

    Join Waitlist

  • Beginner Mahjong: Warren, RI

    Wednesday January 14th, 21st and 28th 6:30-9pm

    Warren, Rhode Island

    Sip, Shop and Mahj! Join us for an elevated intro to mahjong experience at a luxury boutique in Warren, Rhode Island! This three week series will prepare you to start on your new social hobby.

    Register Here

  • Beginner Mahjong: Newton

    Waban Library Center

    Learn the basics of American Mahjong (NMJL rules) in a multi-class format to help break down the rules in a fun, social, and approachable way. Email thecanastaconnection@gmail.com to register.

  • Beginner Canasta-Newton

    JCC of Greater Boston

    Thursday 2/25-3/25

    10am-12pm

    Register Here

  • Beginner Canasta: Needham

    Needham Community Education

    Wednesdays Feb 25th-Mar 18th

    6:00-8:30 pm (1st class is 6-8pm)

    Register Here

  • Beginner Canasta-Newton

    Waban Library Center

    February 2026

    Details Coming Soon

  • Beginner Mahjong: Orleans, MA

    Orleans Council on Aging

    Learn how to play American Mahjong, following NMJL rules in a multi-class format to help break down the rules in a fun, social and approachable way. Registration coming soon

    Click Here

  • Private Group Lessons

    Email thecanastaconnection@gmail.com to inquire about private group classes in person and virtually. Must be based in the Greater Boston Area or on lower/mid Cape Cod for in person classes at this time.

Upcoming Classes: Beyond Beginner

  • Beyond Beginner Canasta

    JCC of Greater Boston

    Thursdays 1/15, 1/11, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12

    12:45pm-2:45pm

    Register Here

  • Beyond Beginner Canasta

    Needham Community Education

    Wednesdays April 29th-May 20th

    6-8pm

    Register here

  • Private Group Lessons

    Email thecanastaconnection@gmail.com to inquire about private group classes in person and virtually. Must be based in the Greater Boston Area or on lower/mid Cape Cod for in person classes at this time.

Upcoming Open Play + Events

  • Mahjong and Canasta Social Play

    February 8th from 1-4pm

    Marriott Hotel: Newton

    Food, drinks, social mahjong and canasta. Canasta and Mahjong guided and open play.

    Registration coming soon

  • Mahjong and Canasta Social Play

    Monday February 23rd 6-9pm

    6-7pm dinner and socializing

    7-9pm game time!

    Boston, MA (Back Bay)

    Food, drinks, social mahjong, social canasta. Canasta and Mahjong Guided and Open Play. Mahjong 101 Learning Table. Fun raffle prizes.

    Registration Coming Soon

  • Canasta Guided Play

    JCC of Greater Boston

    Thursday 2/25-3/25

    12:45-2:45pm

    Register Here

  • Private lessons, events, and parties

    We host canasta and mahjong private lessons, social play events, corporate team building, birthday parties, and fundraisers. Reach out to us to inquire.

    Contact Us

Shop Our Canasta Materials

Designed by professional k-12 special education teachers to break down the rules and scoring of modern American canasta to make it accessible. We have been iterating on these for years based on feedback from hundreds of students.

The Canasta Connection Cheat Sheet The Canasta Connection Cheat Sheet
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The Canasta Connection Cheat Sheet
$12.00
The Canasta Connection Scorepad The Canasta Connection Scorepad
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The Canasta Connection Scorepad
$25.00
Shop Now

Join Our Facebook Group:

The Canasta Connection Group

Find local canasta games and connect with other canasta players.

Join FB Group

Testimonials

  • These two, the mother and daughter dream team, are hands down the most incredible teachers out there. Not only are they seasoned pros, but their classes are an absolute blast!

    Karen R.

  • Emily, thank you so much for teaching us Mahjong! I loved each lesson. You were so clear explaining the game and built each week on the prior week’s teaching! You made it fun and not stressful and allowed us to ask so many questions. Your printed instructions are a huge help now as we continue to play.

    Kathy D.

  • My husband and I are enthusiastic and committed to mastering this game, and your patience in helping us understand strategy, rules, etc were only eclipsed by your obvious love of the game, terrific teaching skills, and sweet demeanor."

    ~P.W.S

  • Having Bev teach Canasta on Cape Cod has been a gift. She taught a group of us to play Canasta. We enjoy playing so much that we committed to a weekly group. It is the lessons and the connections with friends that makes the experience so special. I recommend expanding your life with The Canasta Connection. Thank you Bev!

    -Elaine