Jacob Chang, the founder of Red Eye Mahjong Club, is of Chinese and Ecuadorian descent. Growing up in Tampa, Jacob was immersed in mahjong from a young age thanks to his father’s side of the family.
His grandmother, whom he calls “Popo,” taught him the game. Before he was even old enough to play, Jacob remembers making stacks or “forts” with the tiles, much like dominoes. He eventually played his first real game around age 13 and became truly serious about the hobby about two years ago.
Red Eye Mahjong Club‘s origins are humble. Initially, Jacob began by teaching a group of about five friends in their apartment. Those were the only people he knew who played besides his own family. As they gathered every Tuesday for over a year, the group steadily grew until it became too big for his friends’ apartment.
Growth and Local Support
The club eventually transitioned to public spaces, starting at Lost and Found. Jacob walked in and asked the bartender if they could play a few games, and after getting the thumbs up, the club stayed there for a while as it continued to grow.
Eventually, the demand for more frequent events led Jacob to ramp up the schedule and look for consistent hosting partners. Finding spaces was surprisingly simple; Jacob notes, “Any place I’ve pretty much asked, they were like, ‘Yeah, that sounds cool; you should do it.’”
“It’s a win-win because we usually play on the weekdays, so a lot of bars and restaurants are very happy to have us in on their slow days,” Jacob explains. “We bring in about 40 people who will buy drinks and support their business.”
You can follow them on Instagram to keep up with future locations and dates. The club now meets all over Tampa Bay.
Building Community & Eating Good Food
At its heart, the Red Eye Mahjong Club is about building community. Jacob’s main motive is to provide a space where people can hang out and have a good time.
“If someone tells me I had a great time tonight, then I did my job,” he says. “I think it’s what fundamentally being a human is all about: being surrounded by other people, playing games, and eating good food.”
The club is also a way for Jacob to connect with his Chinese heritage and share that culture with others.
“I’ve never been fully something; different parts have made me whole, so it’s been great connecting with my Chinese culture,” he shares.
This background fuels his commitment to inclusivity. “There are lots of people who aren’t Asian who want to play, so for me, it’s about being as inclusive as possible. Being Chinese, Ecuadorian, and American, I see that as a superpower almost; I make my own path of belonging.”
To ensure everyone feels welcome, the club hosts regular beginner nights featuring coaches who teach the game from scratch. Jacob wants to ensure that no one feels like they are slowing others down or feels embarrassed for not knowing how to play.
Photo via Red Eye Mahjong
Not Just a trend & Labor of Love
While mahjong is currently experiencing a surge in popularity, Jacob believes the game’s appeal is lasting.
“Mahjong is very trendy right now; sometimes I wonder if we’re doing so well right now just because it’s trending, but I don’t think it is a trend. For it to have lasted as long as it has is deeper than the game itself: it is a social game where you get to have great brain stimulus. I hope that by focusing on those parts, it will prove that it’s not just a trend.”
In the future, Jacob hopes to branch out to other cities like Orlando and Miami, or even start chapters in other places like Atlanta or New York. For now, he remains focused on his local community. The club remains a group effort and a labor of love, supported by his family members who serve as coaches, his mother who helps with check-ins, and his girlfriend, the resident DJ.
The best way to help is to get involved. Interested players can find the event calendar on Instagram and join a beginner’s night to start their own journey with the game.
Photo via Red Eye Mahjong