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Guide · American mah jongg

The Charleston, at a glance

Before each hand of American mah jongg, players pass tiles to each other to improve their hands. Here’s the order to remember — the same reminders some of our new mats print around the border.

  1. First Charleston · required

    RRightOOverLLeft

    Everyone passes three tiles to the player on their right, then three across the table, then three to the left.

  2. Second Charleston · optional

    LLeftOOverRRight

    The same three passes in reverse. Any player may choose to stop the Charleston before the second one begins.

  3. Courtesy pass · optional

    0–3tilesOOver

    Players sitting across from each other can agree to swap zero to three tiles. When the two players want different numbers, the lower number is used.

Good to know

Jokers stay put
Jokers can’t be passed during the Charleston. In play, jokers may not be used in singles or pairs.
Dragons match a suit
The red dragon goes with Cracks, the green dragon with Bams, and the white dragon (“soap”) with Dots.
Check your card
Which hands you can make changes with each year’s card, and many tables have house rules. When in doubt, agree before you start.

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