The mahjong Charleston: how it works and what to pass
The short answer
The Charleston is a series of tile swaps before play begins. In the first Charleston everyone passes three tiles right, then across, then left. A second Charleston (left, across, right) happens only if all players agree. Then players across from each other may trade up to three tiles. Jokers are never passed.
The Charleston, pass by pass
- First right. Choose three tiles you do not want and pass them face down to the player on your right.
- First across. Pick up the tiles you received, choose three more, and pass to the player across from you.
- First left. Pass three to your left. This is the last pass of the first Charleston, so a blind pass is allowed.
- Vote on a second Charleston. Any player may stop here. If everyone agrees to continue, the second Charleston goes in the opposite direction.
- Second left, across, right. Pass three left, three across, then three right. The last pass (right) may be blind.
- Courtesy pass. You and the player across from you may each offer 0, 1, 2 or 3 tiles. If you ask for different numbers, you both pass the lower number.
Why the Charleston matters
Your 13 dealt tiles are random. The Charleston is your chance to shape them toward one or two hands on the card before anyone discards. Good passing can save you many turns later.
East, who has 14 tiles, passes three like everyone else and keeps the extra tile.
What is a blind pass?
On the last pass of each Charleston, you may pass along some or all of the tiles you just received without looking at them.
The blind pass is also called stealing. It is allowed only on the first left and the second right. It helps when you have only one or two tiles you can spare: pass those, and send the rest of the three on from what was just handed to you.
Can you pass a joker in the Charleston?
No. Jokers may never be passed in the Charleston, including in a blind pass.
Jokers are the most useful tiles in the game, so this rule protects every player. If you are handed a joker by mistake, tell the table.
What to pass: simple rules of thumb
- Look for what you have most of. Count your pairs and threes, then find two or three hands on the card that use them.
- Pass tiles that fit none of your possible hands. Single winds or dragons that do not match your plans are common passes.
- Keep flowers early on. They appear in many hands. Pass them only once you are sure your hand does not use them.
- Do not hold too many options. By the end of the Charleston, try to narrow down to one main hand and one backup.
- Watch what you receive. If the same kind of tile keeps arriving, the player passing it is not collecting it.
The courtesy pass
After the Charleston, each pair of players across from each other can make one final trade of up to three tiles. You say how many you want to trade, they say how many, and you both pass the lower number. Either player can choose zero.
Common questions
Is the second Charleston required?
No. The first Charleston is required. The second happens only if all four players agree, so any one player can stop it.
What order is the Charleston?
First Charleston: right, across, left. Second Charleston: left, across, right. Then an optional courtesy pass across.
Can you pass fewer than three tiles?
Not during the Charleston itself. Every pass is three tiles, though on the last pass of each Charleston some can be passed blind. Only the courtesy pass can be fewer than three.
Is there a Charleston in Chinese mahjong?
No. The Charleston is a feature of American mahjong. Some other Western styles, such as Wright-Patterson rules, also use one. See American vs Chinese mahjong.