# Which Tiles Should You Pass in the Charleston?

**Quick answer:** Pass the tiles none of your best hands will use. In the Mahjong Island Charleston, find the 2 or 3 hands on the Island Card you are closest to, and keep the tiles they share.

Source: https://mahjongisland.com/blog/mahjong-pair-strategy · Mahjong Island · Updated 2026-10-29

**Pass the tiles your best hands need least.** You can never pass a Joker, so every Joker you are dealt stays with you.

If the Charleston is new to you, start with [what the Charleston is in Mahjong Island](/blog/what-is-the-charleston-in-mahjong).

## How do you know which tiles your hands need?

First, look at the Island Card, Mahjong Island's own card of hands. You win by completing one hand on it: 14 tiles that match one line. After the deal, find the 2 or 3 hands your tiles are closest to.

Keep the tiles those hands share. A tile that none of them uses is your easiest pass.

## What does that look like in a deal?

Say your tiles sit closest to 2 hands on the card. Most of your tiles fit one hand, the other, or both. Keep the tiles both hands share. One tile fits neither hand, so it is a natural pass.

## One habit for your next hand

Before you pass anything, name your 2 or 3 best hands on the card. Then ask one question of each tile: does any of these hands use it? If the answer is no, pass it first.

The same question helps after the Charleston too. A tile none of your hands uses is also your easiest discard.

For more habits like this one, read [Mahjong Island strategy for beginners](/guides/mahjong-strategy-for-beginners).

[Play a hand free](https://mahjongisland.com/play?new=1)

## Frequently asked questions

### Can you pass a Joker in the Mahjong Island Charleston?

No. You can never pass a Joker, so every Joker you are dealt stays in your hand.

### How many hands should you aim for during the Charleston?

Find the 2 or 3 hands on the Island Card your tiles are closest to. Keep the tiles they share and pass the ones none of them uses.

### Where can you practice the Charleston?

Mahjong Island is free to play at mahjongisland.com. You can play a hand against 3 bots in your browser, with no sign-up and no download.