What Is a Blind Pass in American Mahjong?
A blind pass is a special Charleston procedure in American Mahjong. During a permitted blind-pass stage, a player may forward allowed tiles received from another player without first fully incorporating every passed tile into the rack, while still completing the required pass correctly.
Why Blind Passing Exists
Late in the Charleston, a player may be reluctant to pass three useful tiles from the rack. A permitted blind pass can reduce that damage by allowing recently received tiles to continue in the required direction. The procedure does not create extra information or allow jokers to be passed.
Exact blind-pass allowances can depend on the recognized rules and event procedures, so players should verify the current standard before a competitive game.
Blind Pass vs. Ordinary Charleston Pass
Ordinary Pass
Select three legal tiles from the rack and pass them in the required direction.
Blind Pass
Forward permitted received tiles without fully incorporating them into the rack, while supplying any remaining required tiles from your own rack.
Blind Pass Rules to Confirm
- Confirm that the current point in the Charleston permits a blind pass.
- Never include a joker.
- Keep the pass at exactly three tiles.
- Do not secretly inspect tiles that are meant to remain blind.
- Supply any required additional tiles from your rack.
- Use the same procedure for every player at the table.
Blind-Pass Questions
Can a player blind pass at any time?
No. Blind passing is limited to particular Charleston circumstances under the applicable rules.
Can a joker be forwarded blindly?
No. Jokers may never be passed during the Charleston.
Should beginners use blind passes?
They should first understand the normal passing sequence, then use a blind pass only when the procedure has been clearly explained.