Welcome to Mahj Theory Collective, your ultimate destination for all things American Mahjongg. We are located at La Plaza on Girard Avenue in beautiful La Jolla, California. We invite you to become part of our lively community through our membership-based and drop-in social club. Browse our boutique, featuring a carefully curated selection of luxurious tiles, mats, racks, and beautiful accessories. Explore our studio where we offer Open Play, League Play, Tournaments, Special Events and Exclusive Retreats. Embrace the fun and connection that comes with this beloved game!
Online Store Coming Soon!
The Mahj Theory Story
Mahj Theory Collective is founded by a mother-and-daughter team, Deb and Sam Solomon, with a shared vision: to create a beautiful space where people can gather, connect, and build lasting friendships around the timeless game of mahjongg.
I was born and raised in La Jolla, California, and graduated from La Jolla High School. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of watching my grandmother and her friends gathered around the mahjongg table. As a little girl, I was fascinated by the washing of the tiles, the laughter that filled the room, and the sense of community that surrounded every game. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what they were doing, but I knew it was something special.
Years later, my beloved cousin, Ann Israel, taught me how to play. Ann is the author of Mah Jongg The Art of The Game (sold online and in our boutique), a beautiful book celebrating the history, artistry, and tradition of mahjongg tiles. Through her passion for the game, she helped me discover that mahjongg is so much more than a game—it’s a tradition that brings generations together, creates lifelong friendships, and builds a true sense of belonging. Ann’s love for mahjongg became the inspiration behind Mahj Theory Collective.
Together, my daughter Sam and I dreamed of creating more than just a place to play. We envisioned a thoughtfully designed destination where seasoned players, beginners, and everyone in between could come together to learn, shop, celebrate, and connect. Every detail of Mahj Theory Collective has been created with the hope that guests will feel welcomed, inspired, and part of a growing community.
Whether you’re joining us for your very first lesson, browsing our boutique, attending a special event, or gathering around the table with friends, we hope you’ll experience the same joy, connection, and sense of tradition that first captured my heart all those years ago.
Welcome to Mahj Theory Collective. We can’t wait to share our love of the game with you. Deb Solomon
Message from Deb
Message from Sam
Some of my favorite moments have always happened around a table.
I've spent most of my career in hospitality, welcoming guests, creating memorable experiences, and building community in some of my favorite places throughout La Jolla. One of those places was Catania, right here in La Plaza—the very building Mahj Theory Collective now calls home. It's hard not to feel like life has come full circle.
What I loved most about hospitality wasn't just the food or the atmosphere. It was watching strangers become regulars, regulars become friends, and everyday moments turn into lasting memories. That's exactly the feeling I wanted to create at Mahj Theory Collective.
While my professional path has taken me from hospitality to public policy and back again, one thing has remained constant: I believe everyone deserves a place where they feel they belong. My hope is that every person who walks through our doors feels welcomed, included, and excited to pull up a chair—whether you've been playing for decades or you've never picked up a mahjongg tile before. And when I say everyone, I truly mean everyone. Bring your girlfriends, your partner, your parents, your siblings, your coworkers—or the friend who insists they're "just here to watch." We've seen how that story ends. They're usually the first one asking, "one more?"
Mahjongg has a way of bringing people together. It gives us a reason to put our phones down, laugh a little louder, make new friends, reconnect with old ones, and create traditions worth passing on.
Whether you're joining us for your first lesson, stopping by the boutique, gathering for open play, or simply looking for a place to connect, I hope Mahj Theory Collective becomes one of those places you can't wait to come back to.
Because some of life's best moments really do happen around a table.
I can't wait to welcome you to ours. Sam Solomon