Once confined to niche circles, Mahjong, the centuries-old tile game is drawing a growing community of players in Visakhapatnam

Engraved ivory-coloured tiles clatter across the table as four players study their racks in silence. Fingers move swiftly over a green felt mat, drawing a tile, discarding another and rearranging neat rows with practised ease. A quiet “chao” announces a claimed tile, briefly breaking the concentration before the game resumes. Around the table, strategy unfolds as memory, observation and a measure of luck compete for the winning hand.

Once confined to a handful of enthusiasts, Mahjong, the centuries-old Chinese tile game, is finding an enthusiastic following in Visakhapatnam, mirroring the surge in popularity it has witnessed in metros such as Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai.

The rise has been swift enough for enthusiasts to form the Vizag Mahjong Club, which today has over 60 members and conducts regular learning sessions and practice games. What began as a handful of women drawn to the game out of curiosity has developed into a structured community with weekly meet-ups, beginner workshops and players progressing through different skill levels.