The second Charleston is optional in American mahjong. It is played only when all four players agree, and it is followed by an equally optional courtesy pass between the two players sitting across from each other. This guide explains who decides, which way the tiles travel, how many tiles can change hands, and the one tile that can never be passed at all.
Key takeaways
- The first Charleston is required. The second Charleston happens only if all four players agree, and any one player can say no.
- The second Charleston runs in the opposite direction to the first: left, then across, then right, three tiles each time.
- The courtesy pass is a separate, optional swap between the two players sitting across from each other, of up to three tiles, or none.
- Jokers can never be passed in any part of the Charleston or in the courtesy pass. Flowers can be.
- If two across-the-table partners name different courtesy numbers, most groups trade the smaller number.
Required versus optional
When the first Charleston ends, the rules relax. Only those first three passes (right, across, left) are compulsory. Everything that follows depends on what the table wants. Before you start, it helps to see the whole picture in one place:
- Required: the first Charleston, three tiles passed right, then across, then left.
- Optional: a second Charleston, but only if all four players agree.
- Optional: the courtesy pass, between the two players sitting opposite each other.
- Never allowed: passing a joker.
If you are still learning the opening round, read the first Charleston, step by step before this guide, because the second round builds directly on it.
How the second Charleston works
The order of the passes
The second Charleston mirrors the first. Where the first went right, across, left, the second goes left, across, then right. Each pass is three tiles, handed over face down, so every player stays at 13 tiles (East begins with 14 and keeps that number until the first discard). Because everyone gives three and receives three each time, nobody ever has a tile count that is off if the passes are done correctly.
Everyone has to agree
A second Charleston is played only when all four players agree to it. Any single player can decline, and that decision is binding for the whole table. So if one person says no, there is no second Charleston, and nobody should pressure them to change their mind. The sensible moment to say no is before the first pass of the second round begins, not halfway through it.
Saying no is not rude, and it does not give away what is in your hand. It often just means you are happy with the tiles you hold, or that you would like to keep the pace of the game moving.
The blind pass on the last pass
Many tables allow a "blind pass" on the last pass of each Charleston. In the second Charleston that is the pass to the right. Under this common rule you may pass one to three of the tiles you have just been handed without looking at them first. It is a widely used convention rather than something every group follows, so check your group's rules before relying on it.
Should you play it? Thinking it through
The second Charleston does the same job as the first: more trading, and more chances to shape a hand. But passing is a two-sided exchange. Every tile you send away is a tile you no longer hold, and a player who already has a promising start can lose good tiles by passing more.
Here are a few honest reasons a player might vote for or against it:
- In favor: your 13 tiles are scattered, you have no clear direction yet, and you would welcome three more chances to trade away the tiles that do not fit anything.
- Against: a few tiles already work together nicely, and you are worried about giving up one of them in a pass.
Neither choice is wrong. A polite "no thank you, I'm happy" is very common. It is worth agreeing on your table's habit before you play, so nobody feels surprised mid-game.
The courtesy pass, step by step
After the Charleston ends, the two players sitting across from each other may make a courtesy pass. Think of it as a small, agreed swap between the two of you. If your group plays the second Charleston, the courtesy pass follows that; if you skip it, the courtesy pass comes after the first Charleston. It works like this:
- Find your partner. It is always the player directly opposite you. East pairs with West, and South pairs with North. Nobody passes to a neighbor in this step.
- Agree on a number. Each of you decides how many tiles you would like to swap, from none up to three.
- Settle any mismatch. If you offer different numbers, most groups simply trade the smaller one. If one of you says zero, nothing changes hands.
- Swap. Hand over the agreed number of tiles and take the same number back.
Jokers still cannot be passed, so make sure none of your offered tiles is a joker. The exact rule about whether "zero" counts as a courtesy pass varies a little between sources, so the easiest phrase is "up to three, or none."
A worked example
Imagine a made-up table with four players: Maya (East), Jo (South), Priya (West) and Ben (North). The first Charleston has just finished.
The dealer, Maya, asks whether anyone objects to a second Charleston. Jo and Ben are happy to play it. Priya says, "I'll pass on that one, I like my hand." That decision is binding, so there is no second Charleston, and the table moves straight on to the courtesy pass.
Maya, sitting across from Priya, would like to swap two tiles. Priya would like to swap only one. Following the common approach, they trade the smaller number: one tile each. Across the other diagonal, Jo and Ben both agree on none, so nothing is exchanged between them. Maya checks she is not handing over a joker, passes one tile, takes one back, and the game begins with East's first discard.
Common mistakes
- Starting the second Charleston without asking. It needs all four players, so always ask first.
- Treating a "no" as personal. One declined vote is binding, and it carries no hidden meaning.
- Passing in the wrong direction. The first Charleston goes right, across, left. The second reverses it: left, across, right.
- Offering a joker in the courtesy pass. Jokers can never be passed.
- Passing to the wrong player. The courtesy pass is only between the two players sitting across from each other.
- Forgetting to recount. After any swap, check that you hold the right number of tiles before play begins.
Quick reference
| Step | Required? | Direction or partner | Tiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Charleston | Yes | Right, across, left | 3 each pass |
| Second Charleston | Only if all four agree | Left, across, right | 3 each pass |
| Courtesy pass | Optional | Player across the table | Up to 3, or none |
| Jokers | Never passed | Not applicable | Zero |
Try it at your next game
Before you deal, agree out loud on two things: whether your table will usually offer a second Charleston, and how you will settle a courtesy pass when two partners name different numbers. Then, during the game, notice how the choices feel. After a few hands you will know whether you prefer the extra trading or a quicker start.
Frequently asked questions
Is the second Charleston required?
No. The first Charleston is required, but the second is played only if all four players agree. If even one player declines, the table goes straight on without it.
Can you refuse the second Charleston?
Yes. Any player can decline, and that decision is binding on the table. It is best to say so before the second round begins.
How many tiles can you pass in the courtesy pass?
Up to three, or none. The number is agreed between the two players sitting across from each other, and if they name different numbers, most groups trade the smaller one.
Can you pass a joker in the courtesy pass?
No. Jokers can never be passed in the Charleston, whether first or second, or in the courtesy pass. Flowers can be passed.
Which way does the second Charleston go?
Left, then across, then right. That is the opposite order from the first Charleston, which goes right, then across, then left.
Who do I make the courtesy pass with?
Only the player sitting directly across the table from you. Neighbors on your left and right are not part of this step.
For the official card and rulebook, see the National Mah Jongg League. Once the passing is done, the next step is play itself: see your turn: draw one, discard one, then learn how to pick a plan with choosing a hand after the Charleston. Remember too that jokers can never be passed; what jokers can replace explains why they are so valuable to keep.
Keep reading
- The first Charleston, step by step
- Your turn: draw one, discard one
- Choosing a hand after the Charleston
- Jokers: what they can replace
- Sort your rack first
These guides follow the way American mahjong is commonly played with the National Mah Jongg League card. Groups sometimes add house rules, so agree on yours before the first hand, and always use the current year's official card. SOLMAY is not affiliated with the NMJL.
