CHARLESTON MISTAKE RESULTS IN A RESTART (Article 83)

Commentary: A game does not officially begin until East discards their 14th tile. Therefore, if there is an issue during the Charleston that affects the integrity of the game, all the tiles should be thrown in and the game should be restarted.

Question from a player:  What happens if a mistake is made during the Charleston? For example, a player has too few or too many tiles. Is the player’s hand dead?
 
Answer from the NMJL:   You may not call the player’s hand “dead” because the game does not officially begin until East throws the first tile. All hands must be thrown in and the walls broker and the game starts over.

Source:  Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 page 14 Other Tips and Rules for the Charleston bullet 1)