Mahjong wins new US fans in Gen Zers hungry for good clean fun

Smartphone generation puts down screens, picks up tiles and friends

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The second floor of a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco was converted to a makeshift mahjong parlor on Oct. 30. (Photo by Ryotaro Yamada)

RYOTARO YAMADA

PALO ALTO, California -- Mahjong is getting an infusion of young blood in the U.S. as straitlaced Generation Zers take to social activities beyond their smartphone screens, helping the rummy-like Chinese tile game shed an image long associated with old people and gambling.

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