Mahjongg Mastermind
Aggie Aspinwall:
Hi! I’m Aggie Aspinwall, and I absolutely love American Mahjongg — teaching it, playing it, and sharing the joy of the game with others. To me, Mahjongg is the perfect blend of fun, friendship, and focused thinking. It’s a social game where you can chat, sip a little wine, laugh with friends, and still give your brain a real workout — all without staring at a screen!
My Mahjongg Journey
I’ve been playing American Mahjongg for over 20 years and teaching for the last 5. In 2025 alone, I taught more than 300 students, and over 500 people attended my strategy classes and lectures.
I teach 2-, 3-, and 4-player versions of the game, and I’m a Certified Oh My Mahjongg Instructor. I’ve also competed in tournaments and play around five games a day to stay sharp and continuously learn more about this ever-evolving game.
Teaching Philosophy
I teach American Mahjongg using the National Mahjongg League (NMJL) rules, which I consider the gold standard of play. While I always respect “house rules” when visiting other tables, I believe that knowing the NMJL rules gives every player the confidence to play anywhere in the country.
Mahjongg is constantly evolving, but one of its strengths is that shared foundation — a universal rule set that connects players from all backgrounds and skill levels.
Why I Love Mahjongg
American Mahjongg isn’t just a game — it’s a meaningful mental exercise and an amazing way to build community. It boosts memory, strategy, focus, and cognitive skills while offering social connection and stress relief.
I’ve played every Monday night for over 20 years with the same group of close friends. Through life’s ups and downs, our weekly Mahjongg night has kept us grounded, laughing, and connected.
More About Me
I’ve been married for nearly 40 years, with three wonderful children and one grandbaby on the way! I’ve worked for the Town of New Canaan for more than 25 years, and for the past 17 years I’ve served as Executive Director at Lapham Community Center.
As I head into retirement, I’m thrilled to be dedicating more time to my passions — teaching Mahjongg and Needlepoint, my two favorite creative and mindful pastimes