The Mahjcast

Ep. 110: Mahj with Lance Enters the Chat & Our New Theme Song Debuts!

It’s our 10th episode, and we’re celebrating with a major mahj-lebrity: Lance Karp of Maj With Lance — teacher, collector, mahjong storyteller, and one of the most influential voices helping grow the game right now. Jason and Ira talk with Lance about how mahjong became his passion, why the game is having such a powerful cultural moment, and how the table can reconnect people in a world that feels more divided and distracted than ever. We get into men joining the game, the beauty of teaching beginners, the magic of vintage sets, Kelly Ripa’s mahjong skills, and why the National Mah Jongg League card still matters. Plus, Lance weighs in on the big debates: playing for money, food at the table, stopping the Charleston, alternative cards, defensive play, and why 2026 may officially be the year of the pivot. And yes, Ira’s quest to win every hand on the card continues. Only about 1,399 games to go, bro. In this episode: * Lance Karp joins the Mahj Bros * Ira’s summer challenge update * The debut of our new Mahjcast theme song * Why mahjong is exploding right now * Men at the table and growing the game * 2026 card strategy and hands we love * Lance plays along for a special edition of Call It! * Kelly Ripa, dream tables and the energy vintage sets bring Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts. May the jokers be with you.

Ep. 109: Soaps, Sixes & Small Change + Unpacking the 2026 Section

This week on The Mahjcast, Jason and Ira celebrate a major milestone: we’re now on Amazon Music — because Jeff Bezos begged and we finally gave in. Then we dive into the 2026 section of the new NMJL card: the hands, the traps, the soaps, the sixes, the pivots, and Jason’s deeply vulnerable confession that he has basically avoided this section entirely. Ira also announces his wildly ambitious new challenge -- good luck, dude. Plus, we’re serving up a packed episode with: * Mahj Moment: Hallmark’s “mahjong” movie gets absolutely panned, while Maj the Mag gets a major shoutout * Mahj Bros Mailbag: listener love, Maj confessions, and hidden mahjong purchases * Call It: playing for money vs. not playing for money — are you even playing if quarters aren’t involved? * Rules debate: does the dealer deal the tiles, or does everyone take their own? * Dream Table: One Soprano, and one very fancy mahjong table, possibly with the Hermes set It’s strategic, petty, glossy, dramatic, and full of jokers. Pull up a chair, rack your tiles, and let’s play.

Ep. 108: Stopping the Charleston, Passing Wind(s) & The Mahjbros Mailbag

This week on The Mahjcast, Jason and Ira dive headfirst into one of the most debated moves in the game—stopping the Charleston. Is it strategy, sabotage, or a straight-up declaration of war? We break down the etiquette, psychology, and table drama behind the move that can flip an entire game on its head. Plus, we’re unpacking the Winds & Dragons section of the 2026 card—why it’s more powerful (and more playable) than people think, how to approach it, and where the real pivot opportunities lie. Also in this episode: * A very spirited Maj Bros election drama (yes, there was campaigning…) * The Mahj Moment: why mahjong is having a major cultural comeback * The Maj Bros mailbag + some of our favorite community moments * Mahjong creators we’re loving right now * A special Dream Table (Mother’s Day edition ❤️) * And, of course… a Last Tile that might actually win Ira over (no promises) It’s strategic, it’s opinionated, it’s a little chaotic—and it’s a can’t-miss episode. Pull up a chair, rack your tiles… and let’s play.

Ep. 107: Hot Hands, Bold Quints & No Filter

Fresh off a legendary night at Wölffer Estate (six Mahjongs… yeah, that's right), Jason and Ira are fired up and diving deep into the Quints—arguably among the most valuable, most aggressive section on the 2026 card. We’re talking pivots, pressure plays, and why committing early might just win you the game. Plus: * Listener shoutouts and mailbag madness * The Mahjong handles we’re loving right now * A very heated Call It on table etiquette (noise, tapping… we go there) * Dream Table gets a little star-studded * And a surprisingly heartfelt Last Tile about getting out, finding your people, and building your mahj community It’s strategic, it’s unfiltered, it’s a little unhinged—and it’s a can’t-miss episode. Pull up a chair, rack your tiles… and let’s play.

Ep. 106: 2468s, Friends Who Mahj & Perfect NYC Nights

We’re coming off one of those nights—the kind that reminds you why you love this game. A perfect NYC evening with friends, great food, great vibes, and some seriously good Mahjong. This week, we’re diving into the 2-4-6-8 section on the new 2026 card—clean, structured hands that might look simple, but bring major strategy (and serious pressure on those sixes). We break down pivots, where people get stuck, and how to think through this section when the tiles aren’t cooperating. We’re also getting into: * The mistake that cost us a big hand (read the card, people) * Defensive vs offensive play—when to go for it vs play it safe * Why sixes are flying this year and how to manage the chaos * The Mahjong Moment—IG handles we love and the growing culture of the game * Real friends vs Mahj friends… and the Holy Grail! Plus: dream tables, listener shoutouts, and a Last Tile that actually hits (whether Ira likes it or not). So pull up a chair, rack your tiles, and let’s play.