Charleston Cheat Sheet: Printable Mahjong Passing Guide

A one-page printable reference for the Charleston, the tile-passing ritual that opens every American Mahjong game. Print it or save it as a PDF and keep it next to the table during play. Designed for clear reading at any age, with no tiny text or complicated diagrams.

The Charleston, Step by Step

First Charleston (Required)

Step 1: Right. Pass 3 tiles to the player on your right.
Step 2: Across. Pass 3 tiles to the player opposite you.
Step 3: Left. Pass 3 tiles to the player on your left. Blind pass allowed here.

Pause: any one player may stop the second Charleston before it begins.

Second Charleston (Optional)

Step 4: Left. Pass 3 tiles to your left.
Step 5: Across. Pass 3 tiles across.
Step 6: Right. Pass 3 tiles right. Blind pass allowed here.

Courtesy Pass (Optional)

Step 7: Across, by agreement. Players opposite each other may swap 0, 1, 2, or 3 tiles. Both must agree on the number, and tiles are passed face-down.

Rules at a Glance

• Pass exactly 3 tiles on every regular pass.
• All four players pass simultaneously, face-down.
• Never pass a Joker. Not in any pass. Ever.
• The blind pass is allowed on the last pass of each Charleston (first-Charleston left, second-Charleston right); never blind-pass a Joker.
• The courtesy pass requires both partners to agree on the count.

What to Pass vs. What to Keep

Keep

• All Jokers (always)
• Pairs and groups already formed
• Flowers if your candidate hands use them
• Tiles that fit your top 2–3 candidate hands
• Tiles you have multiples of

Pass

• Singletons of suits you are not pursuing
• Honor tiles (winds, dragons) not in your plan
• Numbers far from your target hand
• Flowers if your candidate hands do not use them
• Duplicates beyond what your hand needs

Three Common Mistakes

1. Passing a Joker. Always check your 3 tiles before releasing them. Jokers are easy to overlook.
2. Locking into one hand too early. Keep 2–3 hand options open through the first Charleston. Choose during the second.
3. Ignoring what others pass. The tiles coming to you tell you what your neighbors do not want and hint at what they are chasing.

Going deeper

• American Mahjong cheat sheet: 2-page master reference covering tiles, calling, scoring, jokers, and etiquette
• The Charleston: complete guide: deeper explanation of mechanics and history
• Joker rules: why Jokers cannot be passed and how exchanges work after the Charleston
• Reading opponents: using the tiles your neighbors pass to predict their hands
• Common beginner mistakes: Charleston pitfalls and how to avoid them
• Strategy guide: hand selection during and after the Charleston
• Mahjong etiquette: pace, courtesy, and table manners during the Charleston

Free reference for personal use. Not affiliated with the National Mah Jongg League. The official NMJL card is available at nationalmahjonggleague.org.