Hundreds competed for prizes at inaugural Mahjong Classic in Pass Christian

PASS CHRISTIAN, Miss. (WXXV)- The inaugural Mississippi Gulf Coast Mahjong Classic kicked off Friday and continued through Saturday at the Pass Bungalow in Pass Christian.

The weekend included tournament and social play, along with welcome bags and gifts, plus free food and diet coke for players.

Mahjong is a four-player tile game that blends strategy and social play with players drawing and discarding tiles as they work to complete a winning hand.

There was more than $3,000 in cash prizes up for grabs, adding a little extra competition to the weekend.

The Pass Christian Chamber of Commerce also flew in Social Media Influencer Joy Sabo of Southern Belle Mahjong to join players for the inaugural event. “I got into it because I was afraid of getting dementia to be honest, but it’ll get you out of the house and get you around a table of women. I have a standing game every week with my girlfriends. I met some of the greatest people while traveling through mahjong. They like to go up in the leader board and compete. I like to compete and win to, but don’t take yourself too serious. Just have fun with it that’s what it’s all about.”

With players coming together from across the region, organizers say they hope the first classic will become an annual Gulf Coast event.