[Glossary of Mahjong Terms #4] Mahjong Scoring &Dora Terms

By TAKEYuichi

September 29, 2025 2 min read

Mahjong Scoring & Dora Terms

Scoring is one of the most unique aspects of Japanese mahjong. It is based on two units—han and fu—and capped by limits such as mangan, haneman, baiman, and yakuman. Dora tiles add bonus han without forming yaku. This glossary explains key scoring terms and how dora works in Riichi mahjong.

1. Scoring Terms

翻 / Han (Fan): The basic unit for scoring, counted from yaku (scoring elements) and dora. More han means higher points. unit
符 / Fu: A secondary unit calculated from the type of waits, melds, and certain win conditions. Combined with han to determine points. unit
副底 / Fūtei: A base of 20 fu automatically awarded for any winning hand. base
満貫 / Mangan: A limit hand worth 5 han (or equivalent). Scores 12,000 points for dealer, 8,000 for non-dealer. limit
跳満 / Haneman: A limit hand worth 6–7 han. 18,000 points (dealer), 12,000 (non-dealer). limit
倍満 / Baiman: A limit hand worth 8–10 han. 24,000 points (dealer), 16,000 (non-dealer). limit
三倍満 / Sanbaiman: A limit hand worth 11–12 han. 36,000 points (dealer), 24,000 (non-dealer). limit
数え役満 / Kazoe-yakuman: A hand with 13 or more han, scored as a yakuman. 48,000 (dealer), 32,000 (non-dealer). limit
役満 / Yakuman: The highest scoring hands, worth 48,000 (dealer) or 32,000 (non-dealer). limit
点棒 / Tenbō (Point Sticks): Sticks representing points, used to settle scores. Typically in denominations of 100, 1000, 5000, 10000. equipment
立直棒 / Riichi-bō (Riichi Stick): A 1000-point stick placed as a deposit when declaring riichi. Awarded to the next winner. deposit
点箱 / Tenbako (Point Box): The container used to hold point sticks. equipment
箱点 / Hakoten (Bankruptcy): When a player’s score drops to zero. Also called “hako,” “tobi,” or “going bankrupt.” state
青天井 / Aotenjō (Open Ceiling): A rare scoring rule where points are calculated without applying limit caps, producing extremely high scores. variant

2. Dora Terms

ドラ / Dora: Bonus tiles that add 1 han each when present in a winning hand. Dora itself is not a yaku. bonus
ドラ表示牌 / Dora-hyōjihai (Dora Indicator): The tile revealed in the dead wall to show which tile is dora. The next tile in sequence is the actual dora. indicator
裏ドラ / Ura-dora: Bonus dora indicators revealed beneath the original ones when a riichi winner wins. bonus
槓ドラ / Kan-dora: Additional dora indicators revealed whenever a kan is declared, up to four extra. bonus
槓ウラ / Kan-ura: Ura-dora applied to kan-dora indicators, revealed when a riichi winner wins after a kan. bonus
赤牌 / Akahai (Red Dora): Special red-colored tiles (usually 5-man, 5-pin, 5-sou) that each count as 1 dora automatically. bonus

Tip: Mastering scoring and dora rules is essential in Riichi mahjong. A strong hand shape means little without han and fu, and managing dora efficiently often decides who wins big.