Official 6-Step Charleston Passing Order Reference
Remember the classic cadence mnemonic: Right, Across, Left — Left, Across, Right — Courtesy Across.
| Phase | Pass Direction | Tiles Passed | Blind Pass Allowed? | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Charleston #1 | Right | 3 Tiles | No | Yes (Compulsory) |
| 1st Charleston #2 | Across (Opposite) | 3 Tiles | No | Yes (Compulsory) |
| 1st Charleston #3 | Left ★ | 3 Tiles | Yes (1 to 3 tiles) | Yes (Compulsory) |
| 2nd Charleston #1 | Left | 3 Tiles | No | Optional (Unanimous) |
| 2nd Charleston #2 | Across (Opposite) | 3 Tiles | No | Optional |
| 2nd Charleston #3 | Right ★ | 3 Tiles | Yes (1 to 3 tiles) | Optional |
| Courtesy Pass | Across (Opposite) | 0, 1, 2, or 3 Tiles | No | Optional (Lesser Request) |
The Exact Mechanics of the Blind Pass
A Blind Pass occurs when a player does not possess 3 unwanted tiles to pass without breaking up valuable pairs or melds on their rack. Rather than destroying their winning prospects, the player is permitted to take 1, 2, or 3 tiles from the incoming pass and pass them forward without looking at them.
- Permitted ONLY on the 3rd pass of the 1st Charleston (Left) and the 3rd pass of the 2nd Charleston (Right).
- You may blind pass 1, 2, or all 3 tiles depending on your throwaway inventory.
- You must never look at the tiles you are blind passing or place them onto your rack ledge.
- You must physically push your outgoing pass onto the table before picking up or merging any remaining incoming tiles into your hand.
Critical Rules & Tournament Penalties
NEVER PASS A JOKER: Under National Mah Jongg League rules, passing a Joker during any stage of the Charleston or Courtesy Pass is illegal. Doing so results in an immediate Dead Hand declaration for the offending player.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is blind passing legally allowed during the Charleston?
Blind passing is legally permitted ONLY on the 3rd pass of the First Charleston (Pass Left) and the 3rd pass of the Second Charleston (Pass Right). It is strictly illegal on all other passes.
Can you look at blind pass tiles before sending them to your opponent?
No. You must never look at blind pass tiles or place them on your rack. They must be moved directly from the incoming pile on the table into your outgoing 3-tile pass.
What happens if a player accidentally passes a Joker during the Charleston?
Passing a Joker during any phase of the Charleston or Courtesy Pass is an immediate rule violation resulting in an irreversible Dead Hand declaration under official NMJL tournament standards.