The Mahjong Charleston Explained
The Charleston is a structured tile exchange completed before regular play. It gives players an opportunity to improve their starting tiles and explore possible hands.
The first Charleston typically includes:
Pass three tiles to the right.
Pass three tiles across.
Pass three tiles to the left.
A second Charleston may then be completed in the opposite direction. Players can also participate in an optional courtesy pass with the player across from them.
During the Charleston, avoid passing jokers. Evaluate your strongest patterns, keep flexible tiles, and pass tiles that do not support your most promising options. Do not commit to a hand so quickly that you overlook better possibilities.