LESSON 4 OF 6 · 5 MIN READ
The Charleston, one pass at a time
Understand why players pass tiles before normal play begins.
In this lesson +
A chance to improve your starting tiles
The Charleston is the tile-passing phase before regular play in American mahjong. It lets you exchange tiles you do not expect to need. This is not the same as discarding during a turn: the passing happens in an agreed sequence, and everyone needs to stay together.
- 01 →Right
- 02 ↑Across
- 03 ←Left
Three tiles each pass. Never pass jokers. Blind passing is allowed on this final left pass; learn the procedure before trying it.
Follow your teacher’s direction
The first Charleston follows right, across, then left, and those three passes are compulsory. Each pass normally involves three tiles. If everyone agrees, a second Charleston goes left, across, then right. The table may decline the second Charleston after the first is complete and before the second starts; once the second has started, finish all three passes. After one or two completed Charlestons, the table may choose an optional courtesy pass across; opposite players negotiate whether to pass one, two, or three tiles. Blind passing is allowed only on the first-left and second-right passes, and jokers may never be passed. Learn the current official rules for stopping and other exceptions.
Choose a direction without locking yourself in
Look at your starting tiles and identify a few possible card lines. Keep tiles that help those possibilities, and consider passing less useful ones. Receiving new tiles may suggest a better direction. Take a moment to sort and reassess after each pass.
A simple beginner habit
Before passing, check the destination, count the tiles, and make sure you have not included a joker. Wait until the table is ready before collecting your next tiles. Practicing this rhythm slowly is much more valuable than rushing. Your instructor can walk the table through the first sequence aloud.
A QUICK CONFIDENCE CHECK
What is the first Charleston sequence?
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