PASSING BLIND DURING THE CHARLESTON (Article 128)

Commentary: Every player has the prerogative to pass fewer than three tiles on the first left and last right of the Charleston. It is courteous to say, “passing blind” to alert the other players but it is not a rule. Passing blind means that the player can supplement their pass using tiles from the incoming pass to fulfill the obligation of passing three tiles. The player should not look at the supplemental tiles which is why it’s called “passing blind.”

Question from a player:  How does a blind pass work?  What is the penalty for peeking at a blind pass?

Answer from the NMJL: 

First Left: Each player passes three unwanted tiles to the player on left. On this pass, if you find you cannot spare any of the tiles in your hand, you may “steal” one, two or all three tiles that are being passed to you and pass them to the player on your left, without looking at them. This is called “Blind Pass” and must not be looked at by the player making this “Blind Pass.” It is possible for more than one player to do a “Blind Pass.”

Last Right: Each player passes three unwanted tiles to the player on right. On this pass, if you find you cannot spare any of the tiles in your hand, you may “steal” one, two or all three tiles that are being passed to you and pass them to the player on your right, without looking at them. This is called “Blind Pass” and must not be looked at by the player making this “Blind Pass.” It is possible for more than one player to do a “Blind Pass.” 

Sources:  Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 pages 12-13)

Other answers from the NMJL: 

“A blind pass may be made by passing one, two, or three tiles without looking at them, to the player on the right during the second Charleston.”

“The league does not recommend a penalty for looking at a blind pass. We do suggest that you remind others that they may not do this, that the reason that this is referred to a “blind pass” is that it is not to be looked at, but merely passed.”

Sources for other answers: Back of Card (panel 1); NMJL Bulletin Q&A (1989 page 5, 2017)