What if East is dealt a winning hand?
By Jerry Chen. Checked and updated November 1, 2026
Short answer: declare it, everyone pays double
East declares Mah Jongg straight away and there is no Charleston. It scores like a self-pick: everyone pays East double.
The detail
This rare hand is often called a Heavenly Hand.
It is the only exception to the usual Charleston rules. A hand that becomes complete during the Charleston is a more complicated case.
Sources
These follow standard National Mah Jongg League rules. House rules vary; agree on them before you play.
Related questions
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See more questions in Seats and turns, the complete rules, or all 52 rule questions.