Charleston Cheat Sheet: Printable Passing Guide
The Charleston is the one sequence nobody remembers on their first five games. Print this arrow diagram and the table will stop arguing about whose turn it is to pass.
The Sequence at a Glance
| Pass | You pass to | Tiles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Right | 3 | Mandatory |
| 2 | Across | 3 | Mandatory |
| 3 | Left | 3 | Blind pass allowed |
| 4 | Left | 3 | Optional round — all must agree |
| 5 | Across | 3 | Optional round |
| 6 | Right | 3 | Blind pass allowed |
| Courtesy | Across | 0–3 | Both agree on the number |
Never-Pass List
- Jokers — illegal to pass, always.
- Flowers — legal, but almost always a gift to someone.
- Tiles you have already exposed or committed to a hand.
- The third copy of a number someone is clearly collecting.
Smart Passing by Hand Type
Playing Consecutive Run? Pass isolated even numbers and honors. Playing 2468? Dump odds and winds. Playing Winds–Dragons? Suit tiles below 5 are your safest currency. The decision framework is in how to pick a hand.
Print and Play
One print per player ends all Charleston confusion. Combine with the rules cheat sheet and the full Charleston strategy guide for a complete passing education.