The Charleston Explained: Tips & Tricks from Troop Mahjong, Mahjong Instructor from San Antonio, TX
The Charleston is one of the most exciting and strategic parts of American mahjong. It’s your chance to refine your hand before gameplay begins—but if you’re not passing wisely, you could be setting yourself up for a challenging round.
Want to improve your Charleston strategy? Read on for expert tips and tricks to help you make smarter passes, adapt your hand, and increase your chances of calling Mahjong!
And if you’re ready to put these tips into practice, come join me at my next Troop Mahjong event—a fun, interactive way to sharpen your skills and connect with fellow players! 🀄✨
What is the Charleston?
The Charleston is a three-round tile exchange that happens at the start of every American mahjong game. It allows players to improve their hands by passing and receiving tiles. The goal is to move closer to a winning hand while staying flexible and strategic.
The order of passing:
1. Pass 3 tiles to the right
2. Pass 3 tiles across the table
3. Pass 3 tiles to the left
After these first three rounds, players vote on whether to do a second Charleston, which follows the same pattern in reverse:
1. Pass 3 tiles to the left
2. Pass 3 tiles across
3. Pass 3 tiles to the right
Finally, there is an optional pass where players can trade 0, 1, 2, or 3 tiles with the player across from them.
Sounds simple, right? Not quite! The Charleston is where smart decision-making begins.
Top Tips for a Strong Charleston Strategy
1. Keep Multiples and Pairs—They’re Gold!
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If you have pairs or multiples (three or more of the same tile), keep them! They are harder to form later in the game and can shape your strategy.
- Avoid passing matching tiles together—especially in the same suit. You don’t want to help an opponent complete a set!
2. Don’t Pass Flowers or Jokers
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Flowers are essential in many hands, so unless you’re 100% sure you don’t need them, hold onto them.
- Never, ever pass a Joker. Enough said.
3. Stay Flexible—Don’t Lock in Too Soon
- It’s tempting to commit to a hand early, but the Charleston can completely change your options.
- Keep your eyes open for new patterns emerging as you receive new tiles.
4. Be Careful with Dragons and Winds
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Winds are only useful in certain hands, so if they don’t fit your early strategy, they’re safe to pass.
- Dragons can be tricky—they work well in some hands but aren’t always necessary. If you don’t see a place for them, they might be better off in someone else’s rack.
5. Avoid Passing Consecutive Tiles
- Passing a 4-5-6 or 7-8-9 in the same suit is a gift to your opponents!
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Instead, mix up your passes (e.g., a Crak, a Dot, and a Wind) to avoid helping others complete a run.
6. Watch What Comes Back to You
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If a tile you passed earlier comes back to you, it means the other players didn’t want it. This can give you clues about their strategies.
- Be mindful—if everyone is passing Winds or Dragons, those tiles might not be in demand, and you can adjust your strategy accordingly.
7. Use the Optional Pass Wisely
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The final optional pass is your last chance to fine-tune your hand before gameplay starts.
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If you’re missing just one key tile for a hand, try to get it here.
- If you don’t love your hand yet, this is a good time to pivot before committing fully.
Practice Your Charleston Skills at Troop Mahjong!
The best way to improve your Charleston strategy? Practice, practice, practice!
Come try out these new tips at my next Troop Mahjong Event, space is limited so sign up today! Get your ticket HERE to reserve your seat and start playing smarter!