The Charleston, pass by pass

The Charleston in plain English

After the deal, each player has 13 tiles (East has 14). Before anyone discards, all four players pass three tiles at the same time, in the same direction. This is the Charleston. It lets everyone get rid of tiles they don't want and shape their hand toward one on the card.

First Charleston (required)

1. Pass 3 tiles to the player on your right.
2. Pass 3 tiles to the player across.
3. Pass 3 tiles to the player on your left.

Second Charleston (optional)

If all four players agree, the passes run again in reverse: left, across, right. Any one player can stop the second Charleston, but only before it begins. Once it starts, it's played to the end.

Courtesy pass (optional)

Finally, you and the player across may swap up to three tiles. Each of you says how many you want to swap, and you both pass the lower number. Zero is allowed.

Blind passing

On the last pass of each Charleston (the first left and the second right), you may pass on one, two or all three of the tiles coming to you without looking at them, making up the rest from your own hand. Players call this a blind pass, or stealing. You can't blind pass in the courtesy pass.

Rules that trip people up

• Jokers can never be passed in any Charleston pass, including the courtesy pass.
• Pick your three tiles and place them face down before you pick up the tiles passed to you.
• After the Charleston, East discards first, and play moves to the right.

Practise on today's deal with the Daily Charleston, or keep the order handy with the printable cheat sheet.