The mahjong Charleston, explained
The Charleston is the tile-passing ritual at the start of every American mahjong hand. It's also where most beginners lose the hand before the first tile is drawn.
Here's the full sequence, the optional parts, and how to decide what to pass.
Why the Charleston exists
In American mahjong you can't win with any four sets and a pair. Your hand has to match one of the hands printed on that year's National Mah Jongg League card. Thirteen random tiles rarely point at one hand, so before play starts, everyone trades unwanted tiles to shape their rack towards a hand on the card.
The order of passes
Every pass is exactly three tiles, passed face down.
| Stage | Passes | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| First Charleston | Right, then across, then left | Yes |
| Second Charleston | Left, then across, then right | Optional: it only happens if every player agrees |
| Courtesy pass | Zero to three tiles with the player across from you | Optional, by agreement with that player |
An easy way to remember the first Charleston: right, across, left. The second runs in reverse.
Blind passes
On the last pass of each Charleston (the first left and the second right) you may pass blind. You take some or all of the three tiles you've just been passed and send them on without looking at them. It's useful when you can't spare three tiles from your own rack without breaking up your hand.
What you can't pass
Jokers can never be passed. If you're dealt one, it stays with you. More on that in our guide to American mahjong jokers.
How to pass well
- Pick two or three target hands early. Before the first pass, scan the card for hands your tiles could make. Don't commit to one yet.
- Pass what fits none of them. Odd tiles that suit none of your candidate hands should go first.
- Narrow down as you go. By the first left pass, you should know which section of the card you're playing towards.
- Watch what comes back. Tiles you're passed hint at what your neighbours are throwing away, and so at what they're not collecting.
- Use the blind pass to protect your hand. If you're down to tiles you need, pass the incoming tiles on unseen rather than breaking a pair.
- Stop the second Charleston when you're happy. Any player can decline it. If your hand is shaping up, decline.
Charleston with three players
The official rule is simple: with three players, skip the Charleston. Some groups keep it with a house rule, for example by dealing a "ghost" fourth hand that the dealer passes for. Agree on it before you start. See American mahjong with 2 or 3 players.
Practise a Charleston online
American mahjong is coming soon to Mahjong Live. In the meantime, Goulash Mahjong on Mahjong Live starts every hand with a right–opposite–left Charleston followed by a wall exchange. It's a good way to build the habit of choosing passes quickly. The Goulash rules explain the rest.
Practise a Charleston free
Goulash Mahjong on Mahjong Live opens every hand with a Charleston. Free, in your browser.