Welcome to The Canasta and Mahjong Connection!

We are Massachusetts based mother-daughter duo Emily and Bev and we would love to teach you Canasta and American Mah Jongg. We bring our professional experience as educators and our 10 years of teaching mahjong and canasta to help you learn these games properly! We collaborate with local community centers, restaurants, country clubs, boutique shops and hotels to create high quality, social and accessible experiences. Supporting the local community is so important to us!

Upcoming Classes: Beginner

  • Mahjong 2/23 at Trident

    Trident Booksellers, Boston

    Join the learning table at our upcoming Mahj and Meld event with a dedicated instructor. Learn:

    -the tiles, how to read the NMJL card, and basic game flow.

    Class includes a laminated cheat sheet. Surround yourself in a social atmosphere, with other mahjong and canasta players enjoying social play. Win raffle prizes and purchase a canasta or mahjong themed cocktail.

  • Mahjong Wednesdays at Waban Library

    Waban Library

    12:15-2:15pm

    Learn To Play (3 week series) $150 pp

    2/25, 3/4, 3/11

    Guided Play: (choose one or multiple dates) $35 pp, per date

    2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25

  • Canasta Tuesdays at Waban Library

    Waban Library

    Learn to Play Series

    Tuesday February 24th-March 24th

    2-4pm

  • Beginner Mahjong at Kimpton Marlowe Hotel

    Cambridge, MA

    Monday March 2, 9th and 16th 6:30-8:30pm

    Spend Mahjong Mondays at the Kimpton Marlowe! This three-part series will teach you all the basics to play American Mahjong. We break down the rules in a fun, social and approachable way. As a bonus, Bambara Restaurant at the Kimpton will be releasing a mah jongg menu with specialty drinks and food. Complimentary parking!

  • Beginner Mahjong: Warren, RI

    Nest Boutique

    March 5th, 12, 19th from 6:30-8:30pm

    Warren, Rhode Island

    Shop and Mahj! Join us for an 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.

  • Beginner Mahjong at Greentail Table

    Details Coming Soon

    Shop and Play!

    Thursday April 16th and 23rd, evening

    Learn to play mahjong in a two week series at Greentail Table in Newton. Shop the boutique for your home and gift giving needs and learn to play with Emily and Bev, from the Canasta and Mahjong Connection.

  • Beginner Canasta: Needham

    Needham Community Education

    Wednesdays Feb 25th-Mar 18th

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

  • 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

  • 2/25 Mahjong Guided Play

    Waban Library Center (Newton)

    Wednesday 2/25 from 12:15-2:15pm

    Once you learn the basic rules (how to read the tiles, how to read the NMJL card, and basic gameplay), sign up for beyond beginner! Help solidify rules, increase confidence with game play, and develop more strategies.

    To sign up: email thecanastaconnection@gmail.com

  • 3/4 Mahjong Guided Play

    Waban Library Center (Newton)

    Wednesday 3/4 from 12:15-2:15pm

    Once you learn the basic rules (how to read the tiles, how to read the NMJL card, and basic gameplay), sign up for beyond beginner! Help solidify rules, increase confidence with game play, and develop more strategies.

    To sign up: email thecanastaconnection@gmail.com

  • 3/11 Mahjong Guided Play

    Waban Library Center (Newton)

    Wednesday 3/11 from 12:15-2:15pm

    Once you learn the basic rules (how to read the tiles, how to read the NMJL card, and basic gameplay), sign up for beyond beginner! Help solidify rules, increase confidence with game play, and develop more strategies.

    To sign up: email thecanastaconnection@gmail.com

  • 3/18 Mahjong Guided Play

    Waban Library Center (Newton)

    Wednesday 3/18 from 12:15-2:15pm

    Once you learn the basic rules (how to read the tiles, how to read the NMJL card, and basic gameplay), sign up for beyond beginner! Help solidify rules, increase confidence with game play, and develop more strategies.

    To sign up: email thecanastaconnection@gmail.com

  • 3/25 Mahjong Guided Play

    Waban Library Center (Newton)

    Wednesday 3/18 from 12:15-2:15pm

    Once you learn the basic rules (how to read the tiles, how to read the NMJL card, and basic gameplay), sign up for beyond beginner! Help solidify rules, increase confidence with game play, and develop more strategies.

    To sign up: email thecanastaconnection@gmail.com

  • Private Classes

    Send us an email for private strategy instruction in modern american canasta or american mahjong for your group.

    Email: thecanastaconnection@gmail.com

Upcoming Social Play + Learning Events

  • Mahj and Canasta Night at Trident

    Trident Booksellers

    Monday February 23rd 6-9pm

    6-7pm dinner and socializing food and drink not included in ticket price

    7-9pm game time!

    Boston, MA (Back Bay)

    Canasta and Mahjong Guided and Open Play. Intro to Mahjong learning Table. Fun raffle prizes.

  • 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.

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
Quick View
The Canasta Connection Scorepad The Canasta Connection Scorepad
Quick View
The Canasta Connection Scorepad
$25.00

Join Our Facebook Group:

The Canasta Connection Group

Find local canasta games and connect with other canasta players.

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