The Charleston in American Mahjong: Rules and Strategy

What Is the Charleston?

The Charleston is a structured tile-passing ritual that happens before gameplay begins in American Mahjong. It’s one of the features that makes the American version unique. No other major variant of Mahjong has anything quite like it.

During the Charleston, players pass tiles to each other in a set sequence. The goal is to get rid of tiles you don’t need and (hopefully) receive tiles that bring you closer to a winning hand. It adds a layer of strategy and excitement before a single tile is even drawn from the wall.

The Passing Sequence

The Charleston has two parts: the First Charleston and the Second Charleston. Each part consists of three passes.

First Charleston (Mandatory)

Every player must participate in all three passes of the First Charleston. No exceptions.

  1. Right — Pass three tiles to the player on your right
  2. Across — Pass three tiles to the player sitting across from you
  3. Left — Pass three tiles to the player on your left

An easy way to remember the order: R-A-L (Right, Across, Left).

Second Charleston (Optional)

After the First Charleston, the group votes on whether to do a Second Charleston. If any player says no, it doesn’t happen. If everyone agrees, the sequence reverses:

  1. Left — Pass three tiles to the player on your left
  2. Across — Pass three tiles to the player across from you
  3. Right — Pass three tiles to the player on your right

The reverse order is L-A-R (Left, Across, Right).

Some players use the mnemonic ROLLOR to remember the full sequence: Right, Over (across), Left, Left, Over (across), Right.

The Courtesy Pass

After the Second Charleston (or after the First Charleston if the second was declined), there’s an optional Courtesy Pass. You and the player across from you may exchange zero, one, two, or three tiles. Both players must agree on the number. If you don’t want to pass any, you can pass zero.

Blind Passes

Sometimes you don’t have three tiles you’re willing to give up, but you’re required to pass three. In this situation, you can do a “blind pass.” Take one or more of the tiles you just received from the previous pass and include them in your outgoing pass without looking at them (or at least without fully incorporating them into your hand).

Blind passes are only allowed during the across and left passes of the First Charleston, and during the across and right passes of the Second Charleston. You cannot blind pass on the very first pass (right) of the First Charleston because you haven’t received any tiles yet.

The rule to remember: you can blind pass tiles that came in from the same pass direction, but only during specific passes.

Strategy During the Charleston

The Charleston isn’t just a formality. How you handle it can set you up for a strong game or leave you scrambling. Here are some practical tips.

1. Don’t Commit to a Hand Too Early

Before the Charleston, you’ll scan the NMJL card and see a few hands that loosely match your tiles. Resist the urge to lock in on one hand right away. The Charleston will change your tiles significantly. Keep your options open through at least the first three passes.

2. Pass What You’ll Never Use

Winds and dragons that don’t fit any of your candidate hands are usually safe to pass. Single tiles in a suit you’re not pursuing are also good candidates. The key is to pass tiles that have zero chance of helping you, not tiles that are merely inconvenient.

3. Be Careful What You Pass Across

Tiles you pass to the player across from you will stay on the opposite side of the table. Tiles you pass right or left end up with adjacent players. Think about who might benefit from what you’re discarding. If the player across from you seems to be collecting Bams, don’t hand them three Bams.

Of course, early in the Charleston you won’t know much about other players’ hands. As the passes continue, pay attention to what you’re receiving. It gives you clues about what others are not collecting.

4. Think About the Second Charleston

If you’re in good shape after the First Charleston, you might want to decline the Second Charleston to protect your hand. If you still need help, vote to continue. Remember that all four players must agree for the Second Charleston to happen.

5. Use the Courtesy Pass Wisely

The Courtesy Pass is your last chance to swap tiles before the game begins. Even exchanging one tile across can make a difference. Don’t skip it automatically. Look at your hand, check the card, and decide if there’s one tile that just doesn’t fit.

Common Mistakes

Passing Jokers. You should almost never pass a Joker during the Charleston. Jokers are wildly flexible and fit into almost any hand. Hold onto them.

Passing pairs. If you have a pair that fits multiple hands on the card, don’t break it up. Pairs are valuable starting points.

Blind passing carelessly. Blind passes are a lifeline when you’re stuck, but they mean you’re sending tiles without knowing what they are. Use them only when you truly have no other option.

Forgetting the order. Passing to the wrong player disrupts the whole table. Use the ROLLOR mnemonic until the sequence is second nature. (You can find this and other terms in our American Mahjong glossary.)

Practice the Charleston

The best way to get comfortable with the Charleston is repetition. Play enough games and the sequence becomes automatic, freeing your mind to focus on strategy instead of logistics.

Mahj Parlour includes the full Charleston in every game, whether you’re playing against bots or with friends. It’s a low-pressure way to practice the passing sequence and develop your strategy before sitting down at a real table.