Centuries-old Game Finds New Life in Fort Collins with Riichi NoCo

The Riichi NoCo mahjong club has grown rapidly from a few players to a weekly gathering at Stodgy Brewing Company.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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What began as a few players looking for a game of Japanese mahjong has turned into a weekly gathering at Stodgy Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Riichi NoCo club, founded by Brad Ray, has grown quickly from informal beginnings to a consistent community of players, both beginners and regulars, who come together to learn and play the centuries-old game.

Why it matters

The Riichi NoCo club provides a space for people to connect over a shared interest in a niche game, fostering a sense of community in Fort Collins. As an in-person gathering in an era of remote work and pandemic isolation, the club offers an opportunity for people to meet new friends and find a regular social activity.

The details

The Riichi NoCo club meets weekly at Stodgy Brewing Company, with players bringing their own mahjong sets and gathering in a room past the bar. The game requires four players of similar skill levels, which can be challenging to maintain, but the club has been able to build a consistent group of regulars as well as welcome new players. The game itself is approachable at first but expands into complex strategy, probability, and long-term decision-making, providing an engaging challenge for players.

  • The Riichi NoCo club started last summer.
  • The club now meets weekly on Saturdays at Stodgy Brewing Company.

The players

Brad Ray

The founder of the Riichi NoCo club, who started the group after moving to Fort Collins and looking for a way to meet people and play the game.

Yifan Yang

A Colorado State University Ph.D. candidate and long-time player of mahjong, who joined the Riichi NoCo club after previously playing with friends in Fort Collins.

Catherine Garabedian

A member of the Riichi NoCo club who enjoys the in-person social aspect of the group, as well as the opportunity to play the game.

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What they’re saying

“I'm pretty sure (I started playing) just during COVID-19, and we were, like, trapped at home. But there was a club where I used to live, and so I started playing with them in person. And so then when I moved here, I was looking, you know, for something to do, meet people. And so it kind of just started up like last summer, and then six months later, now we run out of space every week.”

— Brad Ray, Founder of Riichi NoCo (The Rocky Mountain Collegian)

“Well, I played with different people in this town already before I knew Brad. So we played regularly with my friends at CSU. … Actually, one of my friends, she went to Arizona, and we stopped playing because, you know, it's a four-player game. And (you can't play) if you are, like, missing one person, or if these four (people) are not at the same level.”

— Yifan Yang, Colorado State University Ph.D. candidate (The Rocky Mountain Collegian)

“I need to get out of the house. I work in front of a screen all day. I need to see humans. But yeah, so I came out for the first event and like, Brad's a great guy, like he's super friendly. So it's a great place to get out of the house, go play a game, interact with some really nice humans.”

— Catherine Garabedian (The Rocky Mountain Collegian)

What’s next

The Riichi NoCo club is considering plans for a website and hosting a tournament in the future, as the group continues to grow and look for ways to accommodate more players.

The takeaway

The Riichi NoCo club in Fort Collins has created a welcoming and inclusive community around the centuries-old game of Japanese mahjong, providing a space for people to connect, learn, and play together in person. As a free, low-pressure gathering, the club offers a rare example of a thriving third place in an era of remote work and social isolation.