Charleston strategies for American mahjong
- Missy Mahjong
- Jul 10
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 22
Stop thinking everything is all about you
As good players will tell you, the Charleston is about offense AND defense. Not only are you improving your hand, but you are also watching to see which tiles other players keep.
Know the statistics for good strategy
The winds are the least likely to be used on the 2026 card. Are you seeing winds continue to be passed, or if you send out a North tile does it get picked up? Pay attention to what doesn’t come back around. This will help during the Charleston and gameplay.
Because the 6 tile is the most often played tile on the 2026 NMJL card, pay careful attention to those 6s during the Charleston. I generally am holding those like a flower during the first Charleston. In the second Charleston, I’m willing to part with the 6 tiles and take the most tiles to improve my hand. I may send it, but I am mentally keeping track.
Knowing the tile statistics is one of the critical Charleston strategies for American mahjong.
The second Charleston
Yes ma’am, I ALWAYS want to dance twice. Remember, this is a chance dance. You aren’t married: you are dating.
Always do a second Charleston if you are in between two hands. This is especially important on the NMJL 2026 card. If you are uncertain at the end of the first Charleston, choose one direction and see what happens during the second Charleston. Use this as an opportunity to learn more about what players pick up and discard. Remember, the Charleston is not all about you!
The second Charleston will improve your hand and improve your defensive game. If you send a tile out and it comes back to you, it’s meant to be. If you send a tile out and you don’t see it again, someone is collecting the same tile. It’s better to know this during the Charleston and be able to pivot early. You’d rather find this information out during the Charleston instead of gameplay.
The second Charleston also reduces the chance of a wall game. If you are playing for points or pennies, you may want to build up the pot and have wall games. If you are playing fast friendly games at the Missy Mahjong table, do the second Charleston to reduce the chances of a wall game. Nobody at my table likes those!
Say a prayer for singles and pairs
If you do not have singles and pairs completed during the Charleston, you should be worried. As an expert player, I often take the chance so I can complete hands in singles and pairs. As a beginner or intermediate player, you are in a tough position. Be aware of your odds and expectations.
Focus vs Flexibility
In American mahjong, focus is better than flexibility. No matter which card you play with, focused players are able to keep mental notes on passed tiles during Charleston and discards during gameplay. The best example of this is an expert player completing singles and pairs: Focus is imperative!
Sometimes you need to put the blinders on the horse and keep it on the track. The tiles will come to you.
If you pivot to another hand long after the Charleston, you may have lost track of what was passed. Truthfully, as an advanced player I remember what happened and mentally track all the tiles. If you aren't confident in your memory, I'd be focused vs flexible.
Sometimes you should ignore my Charleston strategies for American mahjong
If you are dealt a heavenly hand or something close to it, you don’t need my strategic help… luck is on your side!
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