The Charleston in mahjong
The Charleston is a round of tile trading that happens after the deal and before play starts. Players pass 3 tiles at a time: right, across, then left, with an optional second round and a final courtesy pass.
The Charleston is part of American mahjong. Most other styles don't have it. It lets everyone get rid of tiles they don't want and get tiles that may fit their hand.
The basics
- Every pass is 3 tiles, face down.
- Everyone passes at the same time.
- Put your 3 tiles down before you pick up the tiles passed to you.
- Never pass a joker.
East (the dealer) has 14 tiles during the Charleston and everyone else has 13. That doesn't change, because every pass is 3 tiles out and 3 tiles in.
The first Charleston
The first round is required. Everyone takes part.
| Pass | Direction | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Right | To the player on your right |
| 2 | Across | To the player opposite you |
| 3 | Left | A blind pass is allowed |
To remember it, say: right, across, left. The second round goes the other way.
The second Charleston
If everyone agrees, there is a second round in the opposite order.
| Pass | Direction | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Left | |
| 5 | Across | |
| 6 | Right | A blind pass is allowed |
The second round is optional. After the first round, any one player can stop it. If someone says stop, you go straight to the courtesy pass.
The blind pass
The last pass of each round has a special rule. You may not want to give up 3 of your own tiles. Then you can pass on some or all of the tiles you were just handed, without looking at them. This is a blind pass.
For example, on the first left pass you might pass 1 tile from your hand and 2 of the tiles passed to you from the right. You never see those 2 tiles. The blind pass is allowed only on the first left and the second right.
The courtesy pass
Last of all, you may trade 0 to 3 tiles with the player across from you. You and that player agree on the number first. If you want different numbers, the smaller number is used.
The courtesy pass is a good chance to get one or two final tiles. It is also the only pass where passing nothing is fine.
What to pass
Pass tiles that don't fit any hand you are thinking about. Here is a dealt hand. This player is thinking about a hand with numbers in a row in Dots:
- Keep jokers and flowers. You can't pass jokers, and flowers appear in many hands.
- Keep pairs. Pairs can't use jokers, so they are hard to build later.
- Pass lone tiles that fit nothing, like a single wind when you aren't going for winds.
- Early in the Charleston, keep two or three possible hands open. Narrow it down as tiles arrive.
- Remember what you pass, so you don't go for a hand that needs those tiles.
If you have nothing you want to give up on the last pass of a round, use the blind pass.
Common mistakes
- Passing a joker. It is never allowed.
- Picking up the tiles passed to you before you have passed your own, except as part of a blind pass.
- Passing in the wrong direction. Say the direction out loud before each pass.
- Breaking up a good pair to pass one of its tiles.
If you are learning, our Charleston lesson lets you practice each pass.
Common questions
What is the order of the Charleston?
First round: right, across, left. Optional second round: left, across, right. Then an optional courtesy pass across.
Can you pass a joker in the Charleston?
No. Jokers can never be passed in the Charleston.
What is a blind pass in mahjong?
On the last pass of a round, you may pass on tiles that were just passed to you, without looking at them. You pass them instead of tiles from your own hand.
Who can stop the Charleston?
After the first round, any player can stop the second round. Play then moves to the courtesy pass.
How does the courtesy pass work?
You trade 0 to 3 tiles with the player across. You agree on a number first. If you disagree, the smaller number is used.