What is Japanese Riichi Mahjong?

Japanese Riichi Mahjong is a four-player variant of mahjong played with 136 tiles. Compared with other styles (e.g., American or Hong Kong), Riichi emphasizes tactical defense, efficient hand-building, and dramatic endgame decisions like the Riichi declaration—locking your hand when one tile away from winning in exchange for higher scoring potential.

A round consists of players drawing and discarding tiles to complete a valid winning hand that includes at least one yaku (a qualifying pattern or condition). Bonus tiles known as dora can increase the value of a hand, but they do not count as yaku by themselves.

If your goal is to learn “how to play mahjong” specifically the Japanese way, start here: understand the tiles, the turn sequence, how calls work (Pon, Chi, Kan), and the basics of scoring. Master these foundations and you’ll be ready for club play or online platforms.

Essential Equipment (Tiles, Table, Scoring Sticks)

Mahjong Tiles (136 total)

• Suits (108 tiles): Characters (Manzu), Circles (Pinzu), Bamboo (Souzu), each 1–9 with four copies of each number.
• Honors (28 tiles): Winds (East, South, West, North) and Dragons (White, Green, Red), four copies each.
• Red Fives (aka dora): Some sets include red 5s that boost score as bonus tiles.

Table

Any stable square table works, but dedicated mahjong tables improve ergonomics. Serious players often use automatic tables that shuffle, build walls, and deal tiles in seconds. Explore Japanese automatic tables.

Scoring Sticks (Tenbou)

Each player starts with 25,000 points represented by sticks (10,000 / 5,000 / 1,000 / 100). Sticks move between players as points are won or lost.

Game Setup and Player Positions

1. Assign seats: Determine winds—East (dealer), South, West, North—clockwise.
2. Build the wall: Each player stacks 34 tiles, two high, forming a square of 136 tiles.
3. Break the wall: Dealer rolls dice to choose where to break and from where to draw.
4. Deal tiles: Everyone takes 13 tiles; the dealer takes 14 and discards one to start.

The dealer (East) is special: dealer wins score more, and a winning dealer stays dealer for the next hand. If the dealer loses, the dealership rotates clockwise.

Turn Order and Tile Discards

Play proceeds clockwise. On your turn, draw one tile from the wall and discard one face-up in front of you. Your visible discard pile informs opponents and can be used by them to call melds.

Discard Strategy (Beginner Essentials)

• Read the table: If many Circles are discarded, your Circles are less contested and often safer to throw.
• Late-round caution: As walls shrink, avoid discarding tiles that complete obvious waits (e.g., middle numbers for sequences).
• Defend when needed: If someone declares Riichi, switch to safer discards (tiles already discarded by that player are often safer).

How to Call Tiles: Pon, Chi, and Kan

You can sometimes claim an opponent’s discard to complete a set:

• Pon (triplet): Claim to make three-of-a-kind from any player’s discard.
• Chi (sequence): Claim to make a straight of three numbers, but only from the player to your left.
• Kan (quad): Make four-of-a-kind (closed or by claim). Declaring Kan reveals a new dora indicator, increasing scoring potential.

Pros and Cons of Calling

• Pros: Faster hand completion, easier time pressure on opponents.
• Cons: Reveals information, often prevents Riichi, and can reduce available yaku.

Beginners should call selectively. Over-calling weakens defense and limits scoring routes.

Winning Hands (Yaku) Overview

To win, your hand must be structurally valid (usually four melds + one pair, or a special hand) and include at least one yaku. Dora add value (han) but are not yaku by themselves.

Basic Yaku (Tanyao, Pinfu, Riichi)

• Tanyao (All Simples): No 1s, 9s, or honor tiles. Fast, flexible, great for beginners.
• Pinfu (All Sequences): Four sequences, simple pair, no fu from melds; commonly paired with Riichi.
• Riichi: Declare when one tile from winning with a closed hand. Adds 1 han, unlocks extra bonuses (e.g., ippatsu on immediate win).

Higher Value Hands (Yakuman examples)

• Kokushi Musou (Thirteen Orphans): One of each terminal and honor plus a duplicate—rare and iconic.
• Daisangen (Big Three Dragons): Triplets of White, Green, and Red dragons.
• Suu Ankou (Four Concealed Triplets): Four closed triplets; extremely difficult and highly rewarding.

Scoring System Explained

Riichi scoring combines fu (minipoints) and han (multipliers) to produce base points. In simplified form:

• Fu: Awarded for hand shape and winning method (closed/open melds, waits, etc.).
• Han: Total from yaku (and dora for extra value). More han → exponentially higher points.
• Base formula: base = fu × 2^(2 + han), then rounded up to the nearest 100 after payments are derived.

Example (Simplified)

A non-dealer wins with 30 fu and 2 han. After applying the formula and rounding rules, this typically results in 1,000 points from each opponent on a ron (total 3,000), or a split on tsumo (dealer pays more).

Dealer vs Non-Dealer Limits

• Dealer wins more: Dealer ron payment is higher than non-dealer, and dealer tsumo is paid equally by all.
• Limit hands: When calculated points exceed thresholds (or at 5 han+), hands are capped at Mangan or above (Haneman, Baiman, Sanbaiman, Yakuman).
• Rounding: Final payments are rounded up to the nearest 100.

Don’t let the math scare you—learn a few common outcomes and use a score chart or app as you start.

Playing on an Automatic Mahjong Table

Automatic tables shuffle tiles internally and raise fully built walls—cutting setup time to seconds and ensuring consistent deals. Core benefits:

• Speed: New hands start in under 15 seconds.
• Consistency: Reduces misdeals and tile exposure.
• Immersion: Replicates authentic Japanese parlor play.

Popular series like AMOS are widely used in Japan and increasingly available overseas. See automatic tables.

Beginner Tips to Start Playing Today

1. Start with simple yaku: Aim for Tanyao or Riichi for quick, consistent wins.
2. Watch discards: Safety matters—avoid feeding a winning tile, especially after an opponent’s Riichi.
3. Stay flexible: Don’t force rare hands; adapt melds as draws change.
4. Practice online: Platforms like Mahjong Soul or Tenhou help internalize tempo and defense.
5. Use proper equipment: A Japanese tile set improves feel and speed. Browse Japanese mahjong tiles.

With the basics of Japanese mahjong rules, tile calls, yaku, and scoring in hand, you’re ready to play—and win—more often.