Mahjong Classes Prove Wildly Popular At The Susi Q

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Laguna Beach residents are taking full advantage of a new class offered at the Susi Q Community and Senior Center: Mahjong.

The classes are taught by instructor Rhona "Rho" Kershnar, who teaches both beginner gameplay and an advanced mahjong refresher course at the Susi Q. Kershnar has been playing the game with friends for over five decades, she told Patch.

“Mahjong is a social game, since it requires three other people to play, so it’s a great way to spend time with family and friends, to meet new people and to socialize,” Kershnar said.

Mahjong has proven to be popular among partipants at the Susi Q because the game combines luck as well as skill for a win, so newer players can play against more experienced players and come out the victors.

Residents interested in learning mahjong or expanding on their mahjong knowledge were encouraged to register for classes at the Susi Q.

The beginner class costs $85 per class and is held on Tuesdays from June 6 through June 27 between 10 a.m. and noon.

The advanced refresher course costs $60 and is held on Tuesdays from June 6 to June 27 between 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Susi Q Program and Marketing Director Jo Ann Ekblad told Patch that the Susi Q also offers Open Game Play at the center every Wednesday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for residents looking to play mahjong, Chicago bridge and any other games.