How to Do the Charleston in American Mahjong

nnnn

If you’ve ever sat down at an American Mahjong table, you know the deal. You’re excited, you’ve got your tiles racked, and then someone says “Okay, let’s Charleston.” Your first thought? What on earth is a Charleston?

I remember my first game. I was so nervous I dropped a tile. The woman next to me, a veteran named Helen, smiled and said “Don’t worry, honey. Everyone messes up their first Charleston.” She was right.

The Charleston is a tile-passing ritual at the start of every American Mahjong game. It’s unique to the American version. Before anyone draws a single tile, everyone passes three tiles to the right, then across, then to the left. Then comes an optional second Charleston in reverse, and finally the courtesy pass. The point: get rid of tiles you don’t want, pick up tiles you do.

Step by Step

Step 1: Pick Three Tiles

Pick your three worst tiles. Singletons, numbers that don’t fit your hand, winds that won’t help.

Step 2: First Pass — Right

Pass three tiles to the player on your right, and receive three from the player on your left.

Step 3: Across Pass

Pass three tiles to the player across the table. You may pass tiles you just received—this is called a “blind pass.”

Step 4: Left Pass

Pass three tiles to the player on your left. That completes the first Charleston: right, across, left.

Step 5: Second Charleston (Optional)

Any player can call for a second Charleston, which runs the same pattern in reverse: left, across, right. If all four players agree, it proceeds; if your hand is already strong, veto it.

Step 6: Courtesy Pass

The game ends the passing phase with a courtesy pass: you offer zero to three tiles to the player across from you, and they offer the same number back. Optional, but often the last chance to dump a tile that doesn’t fit.

Strategy Tips

Pass singles, keep pairs. A pair can become a pung; a lonely singleton usually can’t.

Never pass jokers or flowers. Jokers are too valuable to give away, and flowers can’t be passed in the Charleston at all.

Watch what you receive. The tiles coming your way tell you what the other players are not building.

Don’t signal your hand. If you pass three dragons every round, the table knows what you’re not collecting. Vary your passes.

Check the card first. Know your two or three candidate hands before you pass a single tile—otherwise you’re passing blind.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exact pass order?

First Charleston: right, across, left. Optional second Charleston: left, across, right. Then the courtesy pass across. Remember it as “right-over-left, left-over-right.”

Can I keep all my tiles during the Charleston?

No. You must pass exactly three tiles on each pass of the Charleston itself. The courtesy pass at the end is the only stage where you may pass zero.

What tiles can I not pass?

Flowers may not be passed in the Charleston. Jokers technically can be passed, but giving away the most powerful tile in the game is almost never correct.

Back to the American Mahjong Guide for the full rules, or read about joker rules next.