Overview of Mahjong Tiles

Japanese Riichi Mahjong uses 136 tiles divided into suits, honors, and bonus tiles. Mastering the categories is the first step to building valid hands and recognizing yaku.

The Three Suits

• Characters (Manzu): 1–9 with Chinese numerals.
• Circles (Pinzu): 1–9 represented by coin-like circles.
• Bamboo (Souzu): 1–9 represented by bamboo sticks.

Each suit has four copies of each number, for a total of 108 suit tiles.

Honor Tiles

• Winds: East, South, West, North. Essential for dealer role and wind-based yaku.
• Dragons: White, Green, Red. Vital for high-value Yakuhai triplets.

There are 28 honor tiles. Learning how they interact with yaku is crucial for beginners.

Dora Tiles and Bonus Points

Dora tiles are bonus indicators that increase scoring. They do not count as yaku but add extra han to completed hands.

• Red Fives: Bonus tiles that count as Dora when included in a hand.
• Indicators: Flipped tiles in the dead wall showing which tiles act as Dora.

Why Learning Tile Types Matters

Beginners who can quickly recognize suits, honors, and Dora will find it easier to build sequences, avoid mistakes, and aim for yaku efficiently. Familiarity with tile groups also improves defensive play.

Conclusion

Tiles are the foundation of every Riichi Mahjong hand. By learning suits, honors, and Dora, you set yourself up for better strategy, scoring, and enjoyment of the game.