Question: Why do we stack one of the tiles on top of the other two when we pass the second left? Answer: While there is no official rule regarding stacking tiles, many American Mah Jongg players have traditionally used a stacking method, often referred to as a “pyramid.” This visual technique has been used for decades […]
Question: What are the Charleston moves, and do you have to complete all of the them except for the last optional across pass? Answer: The first three moves of the Charleston are compulsory. The second Charleston is optional and can be continued unless someone chooses to stop it with exception, if East, who has 14 tiles after […]
Question: Is it okay to play the 3 player version with the Charleston? I know the League does not condone this? Answer: Although the NMJL versions does not include a Charleston, you can certainly add doing it as a house rule. When the Charleston is added to the National Mah Jongg League version, it is […]
Question: What happens if a player has the wrong number of tiles prior to East discarding their first tile? Answer: If a player discovers they have the wrong number of tiles after the deal but before the Charleston, all tiles are thrown in, and the game begins again. There is an exception to this rule […]
Question: Is it okay to pass Flowers during the Charleston? Answer: A player can pass any tile during the Charleston except for a Joker. This rule was found in MJME 2020 but is no longer in MJME 2024.
Question: I was playing with someone who refused to play after the Charleston because she didn’t like her tiles. Is this allowed? Answer: Once the mandatory first and second Charleston moves have been completed the game must be played even if a player dislikes the tiles they have. Throwing one’s tiles in to request a […]
Question: I announced that I wanted to stop the Charleston and another player said that I could only stop it if I had only 1 hand to play. Is this correct? Answer: Stopping the Charleston after the first three moves is permitted and does not require another players’ permission to do so nor does that […]
Question: If a player stops the Charleston, can he still do the optional across pass? Answer: Yes, a player can still do an optional across. Source: MJME 2024, page 13, OPTIONAL PASS
Question: What exactly is a “blind pass?” Answer: If a player does not have enough tiles in their rack to pass during the first left and last right of the Charleston they may do a “blind pass,” choosing one, two or three tiles from the player whom they are receiving tiles. Players’ also refer to a […]
Question: Can Jokers be passed during the Charleston? Answer: Jokers cannot be passed during the Charleston. If a player received a joker during the Charleston they must give it back to the player who passed it to them. Source: Mah Jongg Made Easy 2024, page 23, #8