WHEN THE CHARLESTON CAN BE STOPPED (Article 179)

Commentary: Any player can stop the Charleston after the first round of passes (right, across, first left) as long as no one has looked at their incoming pass. After the first left, the best practice is for East to ask, “Does anyone want to stop the Charleston?” to avoid issues. If all players agree to do the second Charleston (left, across, right).

Once a round is underway, it must be completed. This is not addressed directly in Mah Jongg Made Easy or on the back of the reference card but it is implied by listing that each round consists of three passes.

The First Charleston (compulsory)

• 1ST PASS – (First Right) Each player passes three unwanted tiles to the player on the right.
• 2ND PASS – (First Across) Each player passes three unwanted tiles to player opposite.
• 3RD PASS – (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.”

As long as no one looks at the second left, the second Charleston can be stopped by any player without giving a reason (Mah Jongg Made Easy 2024 page 13, para 1).

The Second Charleston (optional)

• 1ST PASS – (Second Left) Each player passes three unwanted tiles to the player on left.
• 2ND PASS – (Must Across) Each player passes three unwanted tiles to player opposite.
• 3RD 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.”

Question from a Player: Is it ok to stop the second Charleston if no one except for one person had put three tiles on the table to her left and that person on the left has not yet touched or picked up the three tiles that are still face down on the table?

Answer from the NMJL: If one or more players have put down their pass, but no one has looked at the second left pass, then it is permissible to stop the Charleston.

Source: Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 page 12-13)

Other answers from the NMJL:   

“Any player may stop the passing after the first left for whatever reason.”

“Any player may stop the Charleston after the first three compulsory passes without giving a reason for doing so.  In this case, courtesy pass is permitted.  Once the second Charleston has been started then it must be completed with the last pass to the right.  Courtesy pass of one, two or three tiles is agreed upon by the opposite players.  Blind pass, see back of the score card, last paragraph.”

“You do not have to give any reason if you wish to stop the Charleston.  It is any player’s choice to do so.”

“A player may stop the passing without giving a reason for doing so.”

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

Sources for other answers: National Mah Jongg League Bulletin Q&A (1980 page 3, 1981 page 2, 1982 page 4, 1984, 1993 page 12, 1996 page 5, 1995 page 5, 1977 page 4, 1978 page 4, 1988 page 5, 1991 page 12, 1969 page 4, 1971 page 4, 1972 page 5, 1973 page 4, 1974 page 4, 1975 page 3, 1983 page 3, 1997 page 5, 1999 page 5, 2000 page 5, 2002, 2005, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016)