Winter weather is in full force, which means it's the perfect time to stay inside, curl up by the fire and learn a new hobby. No girls' night or Galentine's Day celebration is complete without a few classic games on the agenda, and mahjong and backgammon are two tabletop board games that are currently trending and make the perfect analog activity to help bring out your competitive side.
We spoke with Emily Ding from the Green Tile Social Club as well as Remington Wells Davenport, founder & CEO of the NYC Backgammon Club, to find out why these age-old board games have made a recent resurgence and how to score the very best sets to play with your friends and family.
Keep scrolling to find the best expert-recommended mahjong and backgammon boards to shop. We also rounded out the list with a few editor favorites as well — including a New York City-themed mahjong board and a splurge-worthy acrylic backgammon set with personalization.
Game on!
Splurgeworthy editor favorite$undefined$179.00
What is mahjong and why is it trending?
Whether you've seen the game trending on TikTok or posted on your favorite celebrity's Instagram story, mahjong is hard to miss this summer. "Mahjong is a Chinese table game played with four players (and tons of snacks) that is a staple part of many Asian cultures and family gatherings," explains Ding.
"Players take turns drawing tiles in a race to build a winning hand, but what this hand looks like can vary dramatically depending on how and who you learned from," she adds. "Everyone has their own style of play, but at its core, mahjong combines the most human of concepts — strategy, luck, timing [and] communication."
Where did it originate?
"Mahjong has been around for roughly two centuries, but the rules and complexities are traditionally passed down within families and households rather than through official capacities or texts — we often refer to mahjong as a game of oral history," notes Ding. "But the game’s resurgence feels intimately tied with our generation’s desire for deeper connections, both culturally and socially."
With the Green Tile Social Club, Ding has seen her community use mahjong as a way to honor their heritage and reconcile with their own identities. "Our ability to simultaneously embrace our cultural heritage while contributing to its evolution is something that is so distinctly Asian American — and we believe it’s what’s drawing people back to the game," she mentions.
What is backgammon and why is it trending?
Backgammon, which is another popular summer game, is no longer just for your grandparents. "Backgammon is one of the world’s oldest board games, with roots tracing back nearly 5,000 years to Mesopotamia," explains Wells Davenport. "Variations spread through Persia (as Nard), Rome (as Tabula), and across medieval Europe under names like 'tables' and 'trictrac."
According to Wells Davenport, backgammon surged in popularity during the 1970s, which lead to international tournaments such as the World Championship in Monte Carlo, which is one of the most prestigious backgammon competitions in the world. "Today, backgammon remains a beloved blend of luck, skill and strategy, enjoyed socially and competitively around the world," she suggests.
Why is backgammon trending in 2026?
"People are craving authentic connection and community more than ever — especially after years of increased screen time and social isolation," says Wells Davenport.
Wells Davenport calls backgammon "the perfect antidote" as it’s social, timeless and easy to learn but extremely challenging. "It invites people to sit across from each other, engage face-to-face and build real friendships," she continues.
Backgammon social clubs are a great place to learn to play the game while also fostering relationships. "At NYC Backgammon Club, we’ve seen this firsthand — our events have grown from just a handful of players to hundreds attending weekly," shares Wells Davenport. "People want to gather in fun, welcoming environments where they can meet new people, laugh, and share a unique experience."
The best mahjong sets, according to experts and editors
"If you've played a game of American mahjong, you know your eyes can start to get a little cross-eyed when looking at all the winning hands on the card, particularly if you're a new player!" says social video producer Anita Chomenko. "These highlighter tapes can help to focus on the combination you're going for."
These lightweight highlighters feature two sticker types and are great for more organized games.
"These cards make shuffling tiles a breeze!" raves Chomenko. "They also have the rules printed on each side, which makes for a nice visual reference. The cards list the steps of The Charleston, how to deal and more. It's a great addition to your set! I would say this is not a need-to-have, but it's a nice upgrade."
Chomenko is currently taking lessons for American mahjong, which is a classic variation of the traditional Chinese game. She has been eyeing this board that she's seen numerous influencers post on TikTok. This vibrant set features ivory-colored tiles and is sure to brighten up any dining room table during your next girls' night.
After tackling backgammon, mahjong is next on my list of timeless games to learn. This Mose Cafolo game set is currently in my Amazon shopping cart due to its reasonable price tag and adorable carrying case. Available in two unique shades, this durable set features premium engraved and hand-painted tiles for hours of playtime.
"If you want the real deal and happen to make a stop in Hong Kong, you need to check out Ho Sau-Mei’s hand-carved sets," explaind Ding. "As one of the few mahjong carvers left in the world, and the only female carver remaining in Hong Kong, artisans like Sau-Mei aren’t just creating beautiful tiles, but doing incredible work in preserving our cultural traditions."
Editor's note: While this artisan mahjong set is not one of Ho Sau-Mei's beloved creations, it is a beautiful hand-crafted option that you can score on Amazon right now for under $105.
"I haven’t played it yet, but I have this travel set that is so easy to store!" raves associate editor Kamari Stewart-Jackson. "I’m looking forward to when I have the time to actually sit down and learn the game, solely so I can play with these tiles."
This gorgeous acrylic set features hand-painted custom designs and makes a great gift for the game lover in your life.
"My Fair Mahjong The Destination Collections have caught my eye," says Chomenko. "[The] price point around $350 and I am particularly interested in The Hawaii Series and The NYC Series."
This urban-themed mahjong set features handmade tiles with popular landmarks including the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Broadway and more. Bring on the Big Apple!
The best backgammon sets, according to experts and editors
I learned how to play backgammon using this board and absolutely recommend it for beginners. It features a super sturdy handle for easy carrying (like a briefcase) and is very cost-effective. Made from quality PU leather, this sophisticated backgammon set comes with detailed instructions on how to play and makes a great gift for the board game lover in your life.
Designer Preston Konrad previously recommended this backgammon set on Jenna & Friends. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it also features a carrying handle for easy transportation. "This is the most classic looking item, and you can just leave out on your coffee table, and it looks beautiful," explains Konrad.
Despite being super affordable, Konrad says that this chic backgammon board "looks like a million bucks."
I own this backgammon board and am in absolute awe of its beauty. This stunning set is made from clear and colored acrylic and makes a great accent to any living room. I love playing this game poolside in the summer and will never lose it as it is monogrammed with my name on it. This splurgeworthy board is every backgammon lover’s dream.
"Crisloid is my absolute favorite backgammon board brand — and for good reason," shares Wells Davenport. "I own 41 boards from various makers, but I always find myself reaching for my Crisloid board."
Wells Davenport told us that Crisloid was founded by a family with roots in New York, and every board is made in the USA. "Their craftsmanship is unmatched; every detail feels thoughtful and intentional," she explains.
How do you add Shop TODAY as a Preferred Source on Google?
Google’s new Preferred Sources feature allows users to manually select their favorite publishers and news outlets for a more customizable experience tailored directly to the reader. Once you’ve opted to receive our content, you’ll begin seeing more of our recent and trending articles displayed within your Top Stories news feed.
The easiest way to add us as a preferred source is to click here and type in “TODAY.com.” Once the box is checked and you’ve refreshed the page, Shop TODAY content will start appearing in your feed.
How we chose the best mahjong and backgammon boards
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best mahjong and backgammon boards for summer by enlisting the recommendations of the CEO of the NYC Backgammon Club as well as a member of the Green Tile Social Club. We also included a few tried-and-true editor favorites boards as well.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on mahjong and backgammon. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Remington Wells Davenport is the founder & CEO of the NYC Backgammon Club. The Backgammon World Federation recently named her “The New Face of Backgammon."
- Emily Ding is a member of the Green Tile Social Club in New York City.
