Pop-up mahjong club in local venues

Players who want a social night out, beginners wanting to learn, and venues or companies that book you for events.

Ticket or drop-in fees per player, beginner class fees, flat fees for private or corporate events, and sometimes a revenue share or minimum spend arrangement with the venue.

• Knowing the rules and being able to teach them clearly
• Hosting and organizing events
• Promoting events on social media and through local groups

• Gambling laws: charge for the event, not for stakes, and check your state's rules
• General liability insurance, and check whether venues require you to carry it and name them on the policy
• Check whether you need a local business license or a sales tax permit for ticket sales
• Venue agreements, so a venue cannot cancel your regular night on short notice
• If a venue serves alcohol, check its rules about hosting paid events

Startup costs are typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on how many sets, tables or mats you buy and how you promote your events. You bring your own equipment and host in borrowed or rented venues.

Monthly revenue is typically around $400 to $2,500, depending on how many nights you run, your ticket prices and any event bookings. These are estimates, and many hosts begin part-time at around 6 hours a week.

Check your state's gambling rules and charge for the event, not stakes. Also check whether you need a local business license or sales tax permit for ticket sales, what insurance venues require, and the terms of your venue agreement.