Best Mahjong Club Management Software in 2026: Complete Guide

Running a mahjong club involves more than just setting up tables and shuffling tiles. There are RSVPs to track, payments to collect, waitlists to manage, members to communicate with, and — if you're doing it right — leagues and events to organize on a recurring basis.

The right software makes all of that manageable. The wrong choice (or no choice at all) means you're spending your evenings chasing RSVPs in group texts and tracking payments in a spreadsheet that's one accidental deletion away from disaster.

This guide compares every realistic option for managing a mahjong club in 2026 — from purpose-built platforms to generic tools to the DIY approach. We'll cover features, pricing, pros, cons, and who each option is best for.

Full disclosure: we built Bam Good Time, which is one of the platforms reviewed here. We'll be honest about every option, including our own limitations, because the right tool depends on your club's actual needs.

How to Choose the Right Mahjong Club Software

Before diving into specific tools, here's a framework for evaluating your options. Walk through these steps and you'll know exactly what you need before you start comparing features.

Step 1: Define Your Club Size and Growth Plans

A casual home game with eight friends has very different needs than a 150-member organization running three events per week. Ask yourself:

• How many active members do you have today?
• How many do you expect in a year?
• How many events do you run per month?

Smaller clubs can get by with simpler tools. Larger clubs need automation or they'll drown in logistics.

Step 2: Identify Your Biggest Pain Points

What's actually costing you time right now? Common answers:

• RSVP tracking — "I never know who's coming until the day of"
• Payment collection — "I'm chasing people for $10 every week"
• Waitlist management — "Tables are always full but I don't have a fair system"
• Communication — "I'm sending the same text to 40 people every week"
• New player discovery — "We can't grow because nobody can find us"

The tool that solves your biggest pain point is the one you should start with.

Step 3: Check Device Compatibility

What devices do your members actually use? If half your club is on Android, an iOS-only app won't work. If your members aren't tech-savvy, a web-based solution they can access from a link (no download required) might be better than a native app.

Step 4: Set Your Budget

Some tools are free. Some charge per player. Some charge per club. Know what you're willing to spend — and whether the cost is borne by the organizer or split among members.

Step 5: Consider the Migration Path

If you're switching from spreadsheets, you want a tool that can import your existing data. If you're switching from another platform, you want the transition to be smooth for your members. The best software handles this gracefully.

Now let's look at the options.

---

1. Bam Good Time — Best All-in-One Mahjong Club Platform

Website: bamgoodtime.com Pricing: Free tier / Starter $29/mo / Pro $49/mo Platforms: Web (any device), iPhone, iPad, Mac Best for: Clubs that want one platform for events, payments, members, and growth

Bam Good Time is the only platform built specifically for managing every aspect of a mahjong club. It was created by people who actually run a mahjong club — we built it because we couldn't find a tool that handled everything we needed.

Features

• Event creation and RSVPs — Create events with table capacity, collect RSVPs online, and share a direct link
• Automatic waitlists — When tables fill up, the system queues players and auto-promotes them when spots open
• Online payments via Stripe — Members pay when they RSVP; money goes directly to your connected bank account
• Roster management with CSV import — Upload your existing member list and everyone gets an account instantly
• Leagues and standings — Run structured leagues with seating rotations and tracked performance
• Series and punch cards — Sell multi-session passes or prepaid session cards
• Club website on a custom subdomain — Every club gets a public page like yourclub.bamgoodtime.com
• Public club directory — List your club so players searching nearby can discover you
• QR check-in — Members check in at the door from their phone
• Email and SMS notifications — Automated reminders, confirmations, waitlist updates
• ELO-based rating system — Player ratings powered by Mahjic.org
• Custom tile shop — Themed digital tile sets for Mahjic Play

Pricing Breakdown

| Tier | Price | What You Get | |------|-------|-------------| | Free | $0/mo | Event creation, RSVPs, waitlists, roster, public club page | | Starter | $29/mo | Higher limits, additional features | | Pro | $49/mo | Leagues, analytics, series, punch cards, full feature set |

See full pricing details.

Pros

• Only mahjong platform with built-in payment processing
• Full club operations in one place — no juggling multiple tools
• Free tier is genuinely useful, not a crippled trial
• CSV import means easy migration from spreadsheets
• Native apps for iOS and Mac plus web for everything else
• Members get accounts automatically when imported — no friction
• Public directory helps new players find your club
• Built by mahjong club organizers who use it themselves

Cons

• No online mahjong gameplay — it's a management platform, not a game
• Scoring depth is basic compared to AMR Authority's detailed per-hand tracking
• No Android-native app (web app works on all Android devices)
• Paid tiers required for leagues and advanced features

Best For

Clubs of any size that want a single platform for event management, payment collection, member communication, and growth. Especially valuable for clubs with 20+ members where manual coordination breaks down.

If you're spending more time organizing than playing, Bam Good Time was built to fix that. Start your free club.

For a detailed comparison with competitors, read our Bam Good Time vs I Love Mahj and Bam Good Time vs AMR Authority guides.

---

2. I Love Mahj — Best for Online Mahjong Play

Website: ilovemahj.com Pricing: $6/month or $60/year per player Platforms: Web (any browser) Best for: Groups focused on playing mahjong online together

I Love Mahj is the most established online American Mahjong platform. It's primarily a place to play mahjong — against real people and AI bots — with group management features layered on top.

Features

• Online multiplayer — Play American Mahjong against real people in real time
• AI bot opponents — Practice games when you can't find a full table
• Video calling integration — See your tablemates via built-in video chat
• Group management — Create private groups and invite friends
• Table assignments — Organize who sits where for online sessions
• Player stats — Track wins, losses, and performance metrics

Pricing Breakdown

| Tier | Price | What You Get | |------|-------|-------------| | Monthly | $6/mo per player | Full access to all features | | Annual | $60/yr per player | Same features, ~17% savings |

No free tier. Every player pays individually.

Pros

• Large existing player community for finding games
• Real-time multiplayer against real people — the core experience is solid
• Built-in video calling eliminates the need for separate Zoom/FaceTime
• Bot play available for solo practice
• Works in any browser on any device

Cons

• No event management, RSVPs, or waitlists for in-person games
• No payment processing — can't collect entry fees or dues
• No club website or public directory
• No roster management or CSV import
• Web-only — no native mobile or desktop apps
• Per-player pricing adds up for larger groups (16 players = $96/month)
• Not designed for in-person club management

Best For

Groups that play mahjong primarily online and want a reliable multiplayer platform with video chat. Also good for club members who want to play between in-person meetups.

I Love Mahj is excellent at what it does — online play. It's not trying to be club management software, and that's fine. Many groups use I Love Mahj for online games and a separate tool (like Bam Good Time) for their in-person operations.

For a detailed head-to-head, read our Bam Good Time vs I Love Mahj comparison. For a comparison of mahjong play apps specifically, see our mahjong apps compared guide.

---

3. AMR Authority — Best Free Scoring and Tournament App

Website: amrauthority.com Pricing: Free Platforms: iOS only (iPhone and iPad) Best for: Competitive players and clubs focused on scoring and stats

AMR Authority is a free iOS app focused on the competitive side of American Mahjong. It goes deep on score tracking, player statistics, and real-time leaderboards — areas where most other tools offer only surface-level features.

Features

• Detailed score tracking — Record per-hand results with full scoring detail
• Real-time leaderboards — Live standings that update during sessions and tournaments
• Tournament and event creation — Set up competitive events within the app
• Club communities — Create clubs and manage player profiles
• Player profiles and statistics — Comprehensive performance history
• Multiple scoring format support — NMJL and other scoring conventions

Pricing Breakdown

| Tier | Price | What You Get | |------|-------|-------------| | Free | $0 | All features, no paid tiers |

Pros

• Completely free — no subscription, no hidden costs
• Best-in-class scoring detail and statistics
• Real-time leaderboards add excitement to competitive play
• Multiple scoring format support
• Active community of competitive players

Cons

• iOS only — no Android, Mac, or web access
• No online payment processing
• No RSVP or waitlist management for events
• No club website or public directory
• No roster management or CSV import
• No email/SMS communication tools
• No series, punch cards, or multi-session passes
• Limited event management compared to full club platforms

Best For

Competitive mahjong players and clubs where scoring accuracy and player rankings are the top priority. If your club's identity is built around competitive play and you want detailed stats, AMR Authority is the best free tool for the job.

Many clubs pair AMR Authority with Bam Good Time — using BGT for event logistics and payments, and AMR for scoring during sessions. They're complementary tools.

For the full comparison, read our Bam Good Time vs AMR Authority guide. For more on tournament software options, see best mahjong tournament software.

---

4. Meetup — Best for Finding New Players

Website: meetup.com Pricing: Free for attendees / $20+/mo for organizers Platforms: Web, iOS, Android Best for: Reaching new players who don't know your club exists

Meetup is a general-purpose event platform — not mahjong-specific — but it's where a lot of mahjong groups start. Its biggest strength is discoverability: people actively search Meetup for activities near them, including mahjong.

Features

• Event listing and RSVPs — Create events, collect RSVPs from the Meetup community
• Group messaging — Communicate with your group via the platform
• Discoverability — Appear in local search results for people looking for mahjong
• Photo sharing — Share photos from events
• Cross-platform apps — Native apps on iOS and Android plus web

Pricing Breakdown

| Tier | Price | What You Get | |------|-------|-------------| | Attendee | Free | RSVP and attend events | | Organizer | ~$20-25/mo | Create and manage groups, organize events | | Organizer+ | ~$30-35/mo | Advanced analytics, priority support |

Pros

• Large existing user base searching for local activities
• Effective for reaching players outside your current network
• Good for initial club formation and early growth
• Cross-platform (iOS, Android, web)
• People already know how to use it

Cons

• Not mahjong-specific — generic event features only
• No table capacity management or mahjong-aware waitlists
• No payment processing for event entry fees
• No league, series, or tournament features
• No club website on your own subdomain
• No scoring or rating system
• No CSV roster import
• Organizer pricing is per-group, not per-event
• You don't own your member relationships — Meetup controls the platform
• Members get marketed other events and groups constantly

Best For

Brand-new clubs trying to attract their first members, or established clubs that want a secondary channel for finding new players. Meetup is a discovery tool, not a management tool.

Many successful clubs start on Meetup to build their initial membership, then transition to a dedicated platform like Bam Good Time for day-to-day operations while keeping their Meetup group active for discoverability.

For a complete guide on growing your membership, see how to grow a mahjong event and find mahjong players near you.

---

5. Spreadsheets (Google Sheets / Excel) — Best for Tiny Casual Groups

Pricing: Free (Google Sheets) or included with Office 365 Platforms: Any device with a browser Best for: Small groups under 10 players with no payments

The DIY approach. A shared Google Sheet with player names, attendance tracking, and maybe a formula for calculating who owes what. Every mahjong club organizer has been here at some point.

What a Typical Mahjong Club Spreadsheet Covers

• Member list with names, phone numbers, and emails
• Event attendance tracking (date columns with Y/N)
• Payment tracking (who paid, who owes)
• Maybe a tab for league standings

Pros

• Free and familiar — most people already know how to use spreadsheets
• Completely customizable to your specific needs
• No software to learn or accounts to create
• Full control over your data

Cons

• No automation — every RSVP, payment, and waitlist decision is manual
• No notifications — you're still texting everyone individually
• No public presence — new players can't find you
• Error-prone — one bad edit can break formulas or delete data
• Doesn't scale — managing 30+ members in a spreadsheet is painful
• No mobile-friendly RSVP — members can't easily interact from their phones
• No payment processing — you're still chasing cash and Venmo
• Time-consuming — the organizer becomes a full-time data entry clerk

Best For

Groups of 4-8 friends who play at someone's house, don't charge money, and don't need to manage RSVPs or waitlists. If everyone knows each other and the logistics are simple, a spreadsheet is fine.

When to Upgrade from Spreadsheets

You've outgrown spreadsheets when:

• You have more than two tables of regular players
• You charge for events and need to track payments
• You have a waitlist and need to manage it fairly
• You're spending more time organizing than playing
• You want new players to be able to find your club
• You've accidentally deleted a row and lost someone's payment history

If any of those sound familiar, it's time to move to a real platform. Bam Good Time's CSV import means you can bring your entire spreadsheet roster over in minutes.

---

Complete Feature Comparison Table

Here's every option side by side:

| Feature | Bam Good Time | I Love Mahj | AMR Authority | Meetup | Spreadsheets | |---------|--------------|-------------|---------------|--------|-------------| | Event creation | Yes | No | Limited | Yes | Manual | | RSVP management | Yes (automatic) | No | No | Yes (basic) | Manual | | Waitlist management | Yes (automatic) | No | No | Yes (basic) | Manual | | Online payments | Yes (Stripe) | No | No | No | No | | Roster / CSV import | Yes | No | No | No | N/A | | Leagues & standings | Yes | No | Yes (leaderboards) | No | Manual | | Series & punch cards | Yes | No | No | No | No | | Detailed scoring | Basic (ELO) | No | Yes (advanced) | No | Manual | | Real-time leaderboards | No | No | Yes | No | No | | Online mahjong play | No | Yes | No | No | No | | Video calling | No | Yes | No | No | No | | Club website | Yes (subdomain) | No | No | Group page | No | | Public directory | Yes | No | No | Yes (Meetup search) | No | | QR check-in | Yes | No | No | No | No | | Email/SMS notifications | Yes | No | No | Yes (email) | No | | Native iOS app | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | | Native Mac app | Yes | No | No | No | No | | Web access | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | | Android access | Web app | Yes (web) | No | Yes (native) | Yes | | Free tier | Yes | No | Yes (all free) | Free for attendees | Free | | Organizer cost | $0-49/mo | N/A | Free | $20-35/mo | Free | | Per-player cost | None | $6/mo | None | None | None |

---

How Mahjong Clubs Actually Use These Tools

After working with hundreds of clubs, here are the most common patterns we see:

The All-in-One Club (Most Common)

Tools: Bam Good Time only Who: Clubs of 20-200+ members that want everything in one place

These clubs use Bam Good Time for the full lifecycle: creating events, collecting RSVPs and payments, managing waitlists, sending reminders, tracking league standings, and growing their membership through the public directory. One platform, one login, one dashboard.

The Competitive Club

Tools: Bam Good Time + AMR Authority Who: Clubs that run tournaments and value detailed scoring

These clubs use Bam Good Time for event logistics, registration, and payments, then switch to AMR Authority during sessions for per-hand scoring and real-time leaderboards. They get operational efficiency and competitive depth.

The Online-First Group

Tools: I Love Mahj (+ optionally Bam Good Time for in-person meetups) Who: Groups that play primarily online with occasional in-person games

These groups use I Love Mahj as their primary platform for weekly online play. If they also meet in person, they add Bam Good Time for event management on those occasions.

The Growth-Stage Club

Tools: Meetup + Bam Good Time Who: Clubs actively trying to attract new members

These clubs keep a Meetup group active for discoverability — people searching "mahjong near me" find them there — but run all their actual operations on Bam Good Time. Meetup is the front door; BGT is the house.

The Startup Group

Tools: Group text + Google Sheet Who: A few friends who just started playing together

And that's fine! Not every group needs software. But when you grow past two tables or start charging for events, bookmark this page.

---

What About Other Options?

A few other tools occasionally come up in mahjong club discussions:

Facebook Groups

Still popular for mahjong communities, but terrible for event management. No RSVP limits, no waitlists, no payments, no structured scheduling. Fine for discussion and socializing, not for running a club.

WhatsApp / GroupMe / Text Groups

Great for chatting, useless for organizing. You'll drown in scrollback trying to figure out who's coming to Tuesday's game. These work as a communication layer alongside a management tool, not as a replacement for one.

Generic Event Platforms (Eventbrite, etc.)

Built for one-off events like concerts and conferences, not recurring club sessions. Overkill in some ways (ticketing), missing the mark in others (no mahjong-aware table management, no league features, no club website). The pricing model (per-ticket fees) doesn't make sense for a $10 weekly game night.

Custom Websites / WordPress

Some clubs build their own websites. This gives you full control but requires ongoing technical maintenance. You won't get automated RSVPs, waitlists, payment processing, or mobile apps without significant custom development. For most clubs, a purpose-built platform is a better use of time and money.

---

Making the Switch to Dedicated Software

If you're currently managing your club with spreadsheets, group texts, or a combination of generic tools, switching to dedicated software is easier than you might think. Here's the process with Bam Good Time:

1. Create your free club — takes about two minutes, no credit card required
2. Import your roster — upload a CSV with your member list; everyone gets an account automatically and can log in with their email immediately
3. Create your first event — set the date, table capacity, price, and share the link
4. Let the system work — RSVPs, waitlists, payment tracking, and reminders happen automatically

Your members don't need to download an app or create accounts. When you import them, they can log in with their email and see your club right away. No invitation codes, no signup forms, no friction.

For the complete walkthrough, read our complete guide to managing a mahjong club online.

---

The Bottom Line

There's no single "best" tool for every mahjong club — it depends on your size, your needs, and how you play. But here's the quick decision guide:

• Want one platform for everything? Bam Good Time — events, payments, leagues, club website, native apps, free to start
• Want to play mahjong online? I Love Mahj — the best online multiplayer platform for American Mahjong
• Want detailed scoring and stats? AMR Authority — free, deep scoring, real-time leaderboards (iOS only)
• Want to find new players? Meetup — broad reach, but limited for ongoing club management
• Have four friends and a kitchen table? A group text and a Google Sheet will do for now

If you're an organizer spending more time managing logistics than playing mahjong, that's the clearest sign it's time for dedicated software. Create your free club on Bam Good Time today and get back to the tiles.