Can you pass a joker in the Charleston?
By Jerry Chen. Checked and updated November 1, 2026
Short answer: no
No. Jokers can never be passed in the Charleston or the courtesy pass, and you should not accept one either.
The detail
The rulebook forbids passing a joker during the Charleston. It is equally against the rules to receive one.
If a joker lands in your pass, hand it straight back and say so out loud, so the table knows what happened.
This also means a joker dealt to you stays with you all the way through the Charleston, which is one reason players hold on to hands that use them.
Sources
These follow standard National Mah Jongg League rules. House rules vary; agree on them before you play.
Related questions
- How does the blind pass work in the Charleston?
- How does the courtesy pass work?
- Can you discard a joker?
- Can you stop the Charleston?
- Can you use a joker in a pair?
- Can you call a discarded joker?
- When can you exchange a joker?
- Can you exchange a joker from a dead hand?
See more questions in The Charleston, the complete rules, or all 52 rule questions.