Mahjong finds its competitive edge with the league format

When we visited a city turf club last August, Mahjong was being played across just two tables – tucked away, unhurried, almost incidental. This week, that number jumped to 13. The difference was hard to ignore, and it says plenty about the game’s popularity in the city. At the Kolkata leg of the Indian Mahjong League, held at the Regency Hall of the Royal Calcutta Turf Club on Thursday afternoon, we spoke to teachers and players to understand what’s driving this shift.

Structure and ranking system have changed the game
The Indian Mahjong League (IML), an initiative by Lets Mahjong and spearheaded by The Mahjong Network, is India’s first national ranking platform for mahjong players – and it’s bringing much-needed structure to a fast-growing social scene. “By hosting tournaments, building a national leaderboard, and encouraging skill-driven play, the league is transforming what was once an informal, living-room game into a more organised format. With fixed rules and streamlined gameplay, it now feels more immersive and goal-oriented, pushing players to think beyond just the immediate round and engage with the game at a deeper, more strategic level,” says Devanshi Mohta, a teacher. Echoing the sentiment, Toral Chinai, also a teacher, adds, “The addition of rankings has changed player behaviour significantly. There’s a visible shift from casual participation to strategic gameplay, with players now focused on improving their standing. People now want to score and not just casually pass time.”

City sees Mahjong boom

Players in Kolkata point to a mix of accessibility and connectivity as key reasons behind the game’s popularity. “The availability of dedicated venues like the RCTC has given enthusiasts a consistent space to play, moving the game into more organised settings. Equally important is the role of WhatsApp groups, which have become the backbone of Kolkata’s Mahjong community —making it easier to coordinate, share updates, and bring players together,” says Aradhana Chamria, who plays the game at least twice a week. Together, these factors create a visible ecosystem. “What gym does to your physique, Mahjong does to your mind,” added Avanti Murarka Jhunjhunwala.

Kolkata is the second fastest-growing Mahjong city after Mumbai, driven by accessibility and convenience, with players easily finding sessions and sustaining steady momentum
– Kanika Vasudeva

Mahjong’s popularity has been on the rise as players work towards standardised rules, formats and variations, making it easier to play competitively
– Devanshi Mohta
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