What Is the Charleston in American Mahjong?

The Charleston is American Mahjong's tile-passing ritual at the start of a hand. Here's the order of the passes, how many tiles you pass, and the rules around Jokers and the courtesy pass.

The Charleston is a tile-passing ritual at the start of every American Mahjong hand. Before play begins, players pass tiles they don't want and receive others, so everyone gets a chance to improve their starting hand. It's unique to the American game.

How the passes work

You pass three tiles at a time. The first Charleston is required and goes in this order:

Pass 3 to the right
Pass 3 across
Pass 3 to the left

Pass 3, face-down, to the right →

Then there's an optional second Charleston — left, across, right — which any player can stop before it begins if their hand is already shaping up; but once it starts, all three passes must be completed. After that comes an optional courtesy pass: up to three tiles across, by mutual agreement.

The Joker rule

You can never pass a Joker during the Charleston. Everything you pass has to be a real tile.

The Charleston is where good hands are won or lost, so it pays to have a target in mind before you start passing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Charleston in Mahjong?

The Charleston is American Mahjong's tile-passing ritual at the start of every hand. You pass three tiles you don't want and receive others, so everyone gets a chance to improve their starting hand before play begins. It's unique to the American game.

What is the order of the Charleston passes?

The required first Charleston passes three tiles right, then across, then left. An optional second Charleston (left, across, right) can follow, then an optional courtesy pass of up to three tiles across by mutual agreement.

Can you pass a Joker in the Charleston?

No — you can never pass a Joker during the Charleston. Everything you pass has to be a real tile.

Is the second Charleston required?

No. Any player can stop the second Charleston before it begins if their hand is already shaping up — but once it starts, all three passes must be completed.