OPTIONAL ACROSS AFTER STOPPING THE CHARLESTON (Article 119)

Commentary: It is the prerogative of every player to stop after the first left, no questions asked. The player is still eligible to participate in the optional across pass. Keep in mind that some players will decline because they may think their opponent is close to completing their hand.

For context, the Charleston is a pre-game activity allowing players to improve their hand. It consists of two rounds of passing with a final and single “courtesy pass” (i.e., optional across pass). The first round is compulsory with three tiles to the right, three tiles across, and three tiles to the left (players may pass up to three tiles blind in this pass). The second round is optional, so at this point, any player can stop the second round, no questions asked as long as no one has looked at their incoming first-left pass. If someone stops the Charleston, all may participate in the final “courtesy pass” (i.e., optional across pass). If all players agree to do the second round, they continue the process with three tiles to the left, three tiles across, and three tiles to the right (players may pass up to three tiles blind in this pass). Once underway, a round must be completed. The Charleston ends with a final “courtesy pass” (i.e., optional across pass) with players negotiating a pass of up to three tiles with the opposite player.

Question from a player:  A player elects to stop the Charleston after the 1st left.  The Charleston is stopped.  Can that player offer any tiles in the optional pass? 

Answer from the NMJL: Any player may stop the Charleston after the first three compulsory passes without giving a reason for doing so. After you have completed the three passes in the first and/or second Charleston you have the option to make one final pass. This pass is always the last pass of the Charleston. The number of tiles exchanged in this pass is dictated by the player wanting the fewest number of tiles. One, two or three tiles may be passed to the player sitting opposite. If a player does not want to exchange any tiles, then no optional pass is done with the player opposite. 

Source:  Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 page 13, 30)

Another answer from the NMJL:  

“After you have completed the three passes in the first and/or second Charleston, you have the option to make one final pass.   This pass is always the last pass of the Charleston.  One, two or three or no tiles may be passed to the player sitting opposite.”

“The player who stopped the Charleston can still offer one, two or even three  tiles to her opposite player.”

Source:  Mah Jongg Made Easy 2020 page 13, (Optional Pass, para. 1); National Mah Jongg League Bulletin (2013 )