The Charleston Explained

The Charleston is a round of tile passing that happens before play in American mahjong. Each player passes three tiles to the right, three across, and three to the left. If all four players agree, a second round follows in the opposite order: left, across, right. Then players across from each other may make a courtesy pass of up to three tiles. Jokers may never be passed.

The passing order

A simple memory trick: the first round passes right first, and the second round passes left first, so that the second is the first in reverse.

How a pass works

1. Choose three tiles you do not want.
2. Place them face down in front of the player you are passing to.
3. Wait until everyone has placed their tiles.
4. Pick up the three tiles that were passed to you, and add them to your rack.

Do not pick up your new tiles until you have set down your own. You cannot pass the tiles you just received unless your group allows a blind pass, explained below.

Which tiles to pass

Before you pass anything, look for two or three hands on your card that fit your tiles. Then pass what fits none of them. As a general guide:

• Keep jokers, which you cannot pass anyway.
• Keep pairs and pungs, since sets are hard to build.
• Pass lone tiles that fit none of your hands.
• Pass tiles in the suits or numbers you are moving away from.

Here is a sample starting hand of 13 tiles:

Good first passes would be some of the loners: the Nine Bam, One Crak, South, or the Red Dragon, depending on your target. You would keep the pung, the pairs, the joker, and likely the flower.

The blind pass

On the last pass of each Charleston, you may not have three tiles you want to give away. Many groups let you take one, two, or all three of the tiles coming to you and pass them on without looking. That is called a blind pass, or stealing. Group customs vary, so ask.

The second Charleston

After the first round, any player can stop the second Charleston by saying so. If you like your hand, you can vote no. If your hand needs help, a second round is another chance. New players often want the extra round, since it gives them more practice.

The courtesy pass

After the Charleston, you may offer a courtesy pass to the player across from you. You each say how many tiles you would like to trade, from zero to three. If you disagree, you use the lower number. So if you want three and they want one, you trade one.

Common beginner mistakes

• Passing pairs too soon. A pair often grows into a pung during the passes.
• Choosing one hand too early. The tiles you receive can change your plan.
• Forgetting the order. Keep it simple: right, across, left.
• Taking too long. Have your tiles ready when you can. A printed cheat sheet helps.
• Passing a joker. It is never allowed.

Try it