Three player mahjong

The Charleston pass in American mahjong

How can I play mahjong with only 3 players?

I have three ways to play American mahjong with three players. According to the NMJL rules for three players, there is no Charleston. Disregard this NMJL rule if you play with me, especially in 2026.

I ALWAYS play three players with a variation of the Charleston. Especially on the NMJL 2026 card, the Charleston is important to improve your hand before play to reduce the probability of a wall game. Nobody wants a wall game, no matter how many players you have!

SKIP down to read Gladys Grad's opinion on why three player mahjong is her least favorite. I won't be offended!

I have listed my favorite three ways to play with three players:

1.        Three Tile Gladys

2.        Bob’s Pier

3.        Messy Bob

Three tile Gladys:

Set the table for four players. Deal everyone in except Gladys (alternatively known as Bob), the phantom 4^th player. To start the Charleston, select 3 tiles from Gladys' wall. Show them to another player quickly so they can confirm there are no jokers, and quickly place the 3 tiles face down. As we Charleston, these three tiles will only be replaced with other players’ discards.

Set the mahjong table for 4, even when playing with only 3 players.

Notes: This is my favorite way to play because players can’t stuff pairs and other “good” tiles in Gladys' wall for hiding during the Charleston. It also keeps the walls tidy and in order. There are less tiles circulating, so it reduces the ability to improve your hand than other methods.

Bob’s Pier

Set the table for four players. Deal everyone in except the phantom 4^th player, Bob. Pull out 6 sets of three tiles from Bob’s wall and make a pier in single rows of 3 (ROLLOR). As players Charleston, the player passing to Bob will add discards to rebuild his wall. The player that receives tiles from Bob will take the next in order from his pier. For the courtesy pass, the player across can randomly select any tiles 0-3 that they want to replace with discards.

Notes: Players must all be honest and play with integrity, agreeing not to keep any jokers picked up from Bob. This method allows for discarding players to “stuff” Bob’s wall with good tiles, that will be hidden from other players (example: a pair of soaps or a pair of flowers). These “good” discards would never be passed to another player during a traditional Charleston.

Passing two flowers is a bad idea during the Charleston in a mahjong game

Messy Bob

Leave all the tiles face down and scattered on the table. East randomly selects 14 tiles, and the other two players select 13 tiles. To Charleston, whomever is passing to Bob will just put the three random discards down in the scattered pile. The player that is supposed to pick tiles from Bob will randomly select three tiles from the scattered tiles.

Notes: This method is easiest for a quick game. There is more luck involved in messy mahjong. The disadvantages to this are that players can hide “good” tiles during the Charleston. I recommend giving the tiles a good face down spin after the Charleston before game play to be sure Cheatin’ Chelsea isn’t saving a discard for later. There are lot os opportunities for picking up jokers during the Charleston, so players must be honest and put it back when selected. Trust the other players to be honest in this version of 3 player mahjong.

Three player mahjong

Playing with a phantom 4^th player, often called Bob or Gladys, can be just as fun as playing with the full table. Be sure the other players all agree on which method to use before starting any 3 player game.

BUT WAIT!

My mahjong expert, Gladys Grad disagrees with me.

I respect Gladys' opinion and expertise above anyone else on anything mahjong. After reading my original post, Gladys had an argument as to why 3 player is... well... the least favorite way to play American mahjong.

From Gladys Grad:

A (SOMEWHAT) QUICK COMMENT:  ON PLAYING IN A NMJL GAME WITH 3 PLAYERS

Have you ever had to play in your game…. with only 3 players, because your 4th didn’t show up?

-or-

Have you ever had to play in a TOURNAMENT, with only 3 players at your table?

We have ALL had to deal with this scenario at some time in our game; especially if we’re part of a regular group…or have played in a Tournament… (where a player went “missing”).

As far as I know:

Every. 

Single.

Mah Jongg player.

Has had to deal with this issue.

And, as far as I know…. we ALL really “hate” to play at a table for 3.

(GG NOTE:  That is, of course…. unless you play Siamese Mah Jongg regularly….and then 3-at-a-table, is literally a “non-issue.” And that’s because… 3 is still a great game; and still - really “FUN!”  But more of that in another post.)

But, BACK TO THE ISSUE AT HAND: 

When we are stuck with only 3 of us at home, or in the clubhouse…we “adapt.”

Because, we really, really, really …. want to play. 

1)    However, first of all, …. We’re NOT supposed to “do the Charleston” …. (but most of just might be guilty of doing it, anyway!).

2)    And 2nd, we deal out all the tiles; and we build all the walls.   

And…. we have a “personal relationship” with that 4th ghost-player; and sometimes even give her/him a name.  (I was recently “honored (?) when a poll was taken, about ‘what do you name that 4th player ghost’….and about 20 players in that poll…named her “Gladys.”  Sighhhhhh…)

3)    But we still crave and bemoan the fact that we’re playing with only 3.  “It’s just not as much fun….” Sniff, sniff….

But WORSE, YET:  IF THIS HAPPENS IN A TOURNAMENT !

1)    Did you know, that a table-of-3-players has a STATISTICAL-ADVANTAGE…. To WIN !!…. over the other tournament players?

2)    And…. Did you know, that THAT statistical-advantage for those 3 individual players - is between 25 and 43% GREATER?  THOSE PLAYERS will statistically, likely make a “better combination” of tiles toward a winning hand…. Or, towards actually COMPLETING that winning hand……than any of the other players in that event.  (Whether they allow the Charleston, or not.)

3)    NOTE:  This is why, when you HOST a Tournament, you must, must, must have a small team of subs/alternates available to fill in, for any missing players; TO BE FAIR.

……OR, that YOU…. as a player…...might just insist ‘that there always is a full complement of players’ at the event, in which you participate. 

So that YOU and your fellow-players…. are assured of participating in a “FAIR” TOURNAMENT EVENT.

Gladys Grad

Siamese Mah Jongg®

MAH JONGG MASTERS®

My final Missy Mahjong thoughts

Gladys Grad has excellent points. She also has more experience and expertise than anyone else on the subject.

At the end of the day, I don't play in tournaments or for points or pennies. If I am playing with three people, I will spend the time connecting with the other players and use the three tile Gladys (who is Bob?) and Charleston.

I will update you soon on how I transition to try the three player mahjong. Be sure you are subscribed to the NEWSletter to be the first to know!