The Charleston

Before anyone plays a tile, there is a passing round called the Charleston. It lets you trade away tiles you do not want.

Pass three tiles to the player on your right, receive three from the left. Then pass three across. Then pass three to the left. All three passes are required, so a hand changes a lot before play starts. On that last pass to the left you may pass on tiles you just received without looking at them: a blind pass.

A second round, in the other order (left, across, right), is optional: it happens only if all four agree, and any one player can decline it before it starts. Whether or not there is a second round, a courtesy pass of up to three tiles with the player across is allowed if both agree, the same number each way.

One firm rule: Jokers are never passed. Keep them. The Charleston drill here practices the first pass, to the right, and tells you why each pass is right.