In Asia, especially in China and Japan, more men plays Mahjong than women. When I was in Japan, I played with guys from the office about once a week usually about a $5 stake for the evening. When I lived in Hong Kong, I heard the sounds of Mahjong from the second floor of retail stores. There you had men and women playing together. Yes, I do wish more men play. I think it started off as a Jewish women's past time during the 20s so guess it ended up more as a women's game here in Japan. I am trying to teach Japanese mahjong to the ladies in our neighborhood as it is easier than American Mahjong. Can't seem to entice men yet.