Welcome to The Canasta Connection! We are Massachusetts based mother-daughter duo Emily and Bev and we would love to teach you Canasta and American Mah Jongg. We created a highly visual curriculum where we play, play, play! We use a step-by-step approach to help you increase your confidence and master the game! We are known for our handouts and cheat sheets that break down the game. We want to make every lesson a fun, accessible, and high quality experience.

  • Fall Classes

    Our fall classes are almost fully booked. Subscribe to our email list or follow us on social media to get notified when our 2025 offerings open up.

    Canasta Lessons with remaining seats:

    Arlington Community Education -beginner and open play

  • Canasta and Mahjong Social Club

    We love to host events. We have a couple events we can't wait to share with you in the works in the late fall, winter and spring. Reach out to us if you would like to collaborate with us on a future event.

    Canasta Open Play with Emily

    Want to meet other people and play canasta? Want to ask Emily your questions while you play? Sign up for the canasta open play through Arlington Community Education Wednesday Evenings in November (see classes). Sign up for one date, multiple dates, or all dates.

    Canasta and Mah Jongg Open Play

    December 18th 7-9pm Moldova Restaurant

    Limited tables for open play, choose canasta or mahjong. Must know basic rules of Modern American Canasta or Mahjong (NMJL). Registration coming soon.

    Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on IG and FB to find out about upcoming events.

  • Mah Jongg and Canasta Night at Temple Emanuel

    Mah Jongg AND Canasta Night Co-sponsored by Sisterhood Temple Emanuel and Hadassah Boston

    Thursday, November 7th // 7:00pm

    Come and enjoy an evening of playing Mah Jongg OR Canasta. Meet up with old friends and make new friends. All playing levels are welcome. Open to all Temple Emanuel members and the surrounding community. Please spread the word!

    This evening is not a competition. Participants must be able to play independently. Mah Jongg beginner tables will be available upon request. Canasta will be arranged by level of play. Please arrive by 6:45pm so you can be seated by 7:00pm

    $5 cover charge. Light refreshments will be served.

    The Canasta Connection will be running the canasta games for the night!

    Registration Coming Soon

    Click Here

Testimonials

  • These two, the mother and daughter dream team, are hands down the most incredible teachers out there. Not only are they seasoned pros, but their classes are an absolute blast!

    Karen R.

  • Emily, thank you so much for teaching us Mahjong! I loved each lesson. You were so clear explaining the game and built each week on the prior week’s teaching! You made it fun and not stressful and allowed us to ask so many questions. Your printed instructions are a huge help now as we continue to play.

    Kathy D.

  • My husband and I are enthusiastic and committed to mastering this game, and your patience in helping us understand strategy, rules, etc were only eclipsed by your obvious love of the game, terrific teaching skills, and sweet demeanor."

    ~P.W.S

  • Having Bev teach Canasta on Cape Cod has been a gift. She taught a group of us to play Canasta. We enjoy playing so much that we committed to a weekly group. It is the lessons and the connections with friends that makes the experience so special. I recommend expanding your life with The Canasta Connection. Thank you Bev!

    -Elaine