Mahjong McNeill

Hi! I’m Alison McNeill. I grew up in Statesboro, Georgia and attended the University of Georgia. I was an elementary school guidance counselor for almost 9 years before moving to the Cayman Islands for 2 years. I currently live in Atlanta with my husband (John), 2 sons (Jack and Hudson) and Australian shepherd (Bowie). I love traveling, reading, doing puzzles, playing tennis and playing pickleball, but my favorite hobby is playing mahjong. I love to play in person for fun, with friends for points and online! 

Email me to book a lesson or ask a mahjong question. 

Where do you teach? 

Atlanta - Buckhead area, willing to travel (frequently in Sea Island if lessons are requested there)

Where, when and how did you learn mahjong? 

I learned with 8 friends on the NMJL 2022 card. We had an instructor for our first lesson, and then taught ourselves by playing together and online.

Tell us why you love Mahjong?

I love all games (and puzzles), but I truly love the game of mahjong! I love the strategy and the brain power involved in playing. I love how many options there are for potential hands and look forward to the new lines every year! I love how the game evolves and how the original mess after the deal becomes a hand as you let the tiles lead. I love the beautiful tiles and how the endless choices of mat color and various racks can make your table a piece of art. I love how the game has changed the way women can get together and socialize.

What is your favorite hand? 

My favorite line on the NMJL 2025 card is CR Line 7. I love its unique nature and how many different number combinations can be used. I love how it is really an "any like numbers" line buried in the "consecutive run section.

One thing you can't live without. 

my ororo heated vest

What would you sing on Karaoke night? 

any 90s country song

What Mahjong Line set is your favorite to play on?

Of all my tile sets, my Blue-eyed Jack Botanical is still my favorite. My family chose it for me as my first set and still love it as much as I did then. One of my favorite things about the game is playing on other people's sets! I love how the I Love Mahj online game will allow you to change the set - I play with a different set every time I play!

Stranded on a desert island and you only have one movie to watch...

Pitch Perfect