The lessons · lesson 6 of 11

The Charleston

Before the first turn, everyone passes tiles: the passes, the blind pass, the courtesy pass, and what to pass.

1. Right, across, left

   Before the first turn, the players pass tiles to each other. This is called the Charleston. Each pass is three tiles, face down, and everyone passes at the same time. First, three tiles to the player on your right. Then three to the player across. Then three to the player on your left.

   A 27-second video, with captions.

2. Where does the first pass go?

   The first Charleston has three passes.

   Where do your first three tiles go? Yes. Right, then across, then left.

3. The blind pass

   On that last pass to the left, you may pass blind. Keep a tile you need, and pass on one or two of the tiles coming to you, without looking at them.

   A 12-second video, with captions.

4. Which pass may be blind?

   Only some passes may be blind.

   Which pass of the first Charleston may be blind? Yes. In the first Charleston, the last pass is to the left.

5. The second Charleston and the courtesy pass

   Then the players may pass again the other way round: left, across and right. Anyone can stop this second Charleston before it starts. If nobody does, all three passes happen. Last comes the courtesy pass, with the player across only. You each choose up to three tiles, and you trade the smaller number.

   A 29-second video, with captions.

6. How many tiles go across?

   In the courtesy pass you trade the smaller number.

   You offer three tiles and the player across offers one. How many go each way? Yes. The smaller number is one, so one tile goes each way.

7. What to pass

   Never pass a joker. Keep the tiles that fit the hands you might make, and pass the ones that fit none of them.

   A 11-second video, with captions.

8. Which three would you pass?

   You are going for 1s, 3s and 5s in Dots, with flowers.

   Which three would you pass? Yes. An 8 Bam, an East and a 6 Crak fit none of your hand.