How to Check Mahjong Table Lighting for Glare

A room can feel bright while one player's card remains difficult to read. Before a mahjong evening, check lighting from each chair with the actual tiles and cards in place.

Look from the seated position

Place a few face-up tiles near the centre and a row in each rack. Read the smallest card notes from the normal playing position. Watch for reflections that obscure symbols and shadows created by your own body.

Check after sunset if the game will run into the evening. Daylight can hide an uneven arrangement that becomes obvious later.

Change one thing at a time

Try moving a portable lamp, adjusting an existing shade or changing the table's position where practical. Then repeat the four-seat test. More light is not always the answer if the problem is a reflection aimed directly at one player.

Keep lamps, cords and batteries away from the playing area and chair paths. Do not cover a bulb or modify a fixture to soften it; use it according to its instructions.

Ask players what they can see

A host's comfortable view does not establish that every seat works. Offer a seat change or another adjustment without making assumptions about anyone's eyesight. Consider the card sleeve and mat pattern too; both can affect how easy the setup feels to scan.

When pairing Café Mahjong tiles with a mat, assess them together in your room. The goal is a clear, welcoming table, with the mood coming from the surroundings rather than from dimming away useful light.