How does the blind pass work in the Charleston?
By Jerry Chen. Checked and updated November 1, 2026
Short answer: first left and last right only
On the first left and the last right only, you may pass on up to three of the tiles you were just handed without looking at them.
The detail
Every pass in the Charleston is three tiles. On the third pass of each Charleston (first left and last right) you may not have three tiles you want to give away. You can then pass some or all of the tiles you are receiving, unseen, to make up the three.
"Blind" means blind: you may not peek at the tiles you pass on. Some players call this "stealing", but you keep nothing, so the correct name is the blind pass.
Blind passing is optional. You can always pass three tiles from your own hand instead.
Sources
These follow standard National Mah Jongg League rules. House rules vary; agree on them before you play.
Related questions
- Can you stop the Charleston?
- How does the courtesy pass work?
- Can you pass a joker in the Charleston?
- Can you use a joker in a pair?
- Can you discard a joker?
- 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.