MahjCove · Mahjong Basics
The Charleston in American Mahjong: Passing Order and Beginner Tips
Right, across, left. Then, if everyone continues, left, across, right.
Thirteen tiles, face down, sorted by suit. Now give three away. That is the Charleston — a series of passes that trades tiles you do not need for ones you can use.
In the normal four-player NMJL opening, each Charleston pass contains three face-down tiles. Give them their own space on the table so they do not get mixed up with the wall.
The passing order
| Stage | Directions | Blind passing |
|---|---|---|
| First Charleston | Right → Across → Left | On the final left pass only |
| Second Charleston | Left → Across → Right | On the final right pass only |
| Courtesy exchange | With your opposite player | Agree how many, from zero to three |
The first Charleston is required in a normal four-player game; the second is optional. East being dealt an already complete winning hand is the rare opening exception.
The part that can feel odd is passing left twice in a row: once to finish the first Charleston, then again to begin the second. Say the directions aloud if that helps.
Choose three, then receive three
Choose three tiles from your hand and place them face down for the correct player. Complete your outgoing selection before examining the tiles passed to you. You can then reassess your hand for the next pass.
Never pass a joker. Flowers are fine to pass.
After each exchange, check that your tile count is unchanged. East still has 14 tiles; everyone else still has 13. Slow down if tiles are arriving before a player has finished their outgoing pass.
When you can stop
After completing the first left pass, any player may stop the second Charleston without giving a reason. This stops the second round for everyone; it is not an individual opt-out while the other players continue.
Say so before anyone picks up the second-left pass. Once that second round is underway, all three of its passes must be completed. Finishing the first round does not oblige anyone to agree to the second.
A brief pause after the first round gives everyone a chance to say whether they want to continue.
How a blind pass works
On the first round’s last left pass, or the second round’s last right pass, you may send along one, two, or three incoming tiles without looking at them. Supply any remaining tiles from your hand so that the outgoing pass still totals three.
Suppose you have only one tile you want to give up. On an allowed blind pass, add two incoming tiles without looking at them, then send all three along. You cannot peek first and decide afterward.
You cannot blind pass on the first right, either across pass, or the second left.
The courtesy exchange
After the Charleston ends, opposite players may agree to exchange up to three tiles. Both players exchange the same number. If one wants two and the other wants three, they can exchange two; nobody is required to pass more than they wish.
A player may choose zero. One opposite pair can exchange even when the other pair does not. This option remains available when the second Charleston was stopped.
Before giving up an awkward-looking single, check whether one of your possible hands needs it. A matching pair may be worth keeping too, especially when you would have to replace it with natural tiles later.
Quick answers
Can I stop after the second left pass?
No. The stopping point is between the first and second Charlestons, before the second-left pass has been picked up.
Can I pass fewer than three in a Charleston pass?
Each regular Charleston pass still totals three. A permitted blind pass changes where those tiles come from, not the total.
Can we do a courtesy exchange after stopping round two?
Yes. Opposite players may agree to exchange up to three tiles even if the second Charleston was not played.
Can I look at my incoming tiles before sending my outgoing pass?
No. Complete your outgoing pass before picking up the tiles passed to you.
