Mahjong hand of the month: April Charleston strategy

Beginner or seasoned strategist, consider this your invitation to think like a pro

You’re looking at your first hand in the Charleston — and you need to pass three tiles.

Your move

Which three tiles would you pass — and why?

Before you scroll, take a moment to study the hand and make your decision.

👉 Look for:

• Tiles that don’t connect
• Weak suits
• Honors that may not serve your direction

There’s no single “perfect” answer, but strong players tend to follow similar patterns of thinking.

Pro picks

Mahjong instructor Jennifer Kenwell suggests:

1 Crak, 8 Bam and West Wind

Why this works

At the start of the Charleston, your goal isn’t to commit — it’s to stay flexible.

1 Crak
A lone low tile in a suit without strong support can slow you down. Passing it helps clean up your hand.

8 Bam
High tiles can be valuable, but only if they connect. In this case, it doesn’t contribute to a clear direction.

West Wind
Unless you’re building a hand that uses winds, honor tiles can quickly become dead weight. Letting this go keeps your options open.

What this hand suggests

This pass keeps your hand open to multiple possibilities on the 2025 NMJL card.

By removing disconnected tiles and an honor, you give yourself a better chance to:

• Build around a stronger suit
• Pivot as new tiles come in
• Avoid getting stuck in a low-probability hand

This is a classic example of prioritizing flexibility early in the game.

Could you play it differently?

Absolutely.

Mahjong is a game of decisions, not certainties. Depending on your personal strategy, you might:

• Hold onto a wind longer
• Prioritize a different suit
• Take an early gamble on a specific hand

The key is understanding the trade-offs behind each choice.

Want to improve your Mahjong game?

This is just the beginning.

Each month, we’ll feature a new hand to challenge your strategy and help you think more confidently during the Charleston.