Riichi

Definition

Riichi (also called Japanese mahjong or Riichi Mahjong) is the main form of mahjong played in Japan. It is named for the riichi declaration: when your concealed hand is one tile away from winning, you can declare riichi and put a 1,000-point stick on the table as a stake. Riichi Mahjong also uses dora (bonus tiles), yaku (the winning patterns a hand must include), and a rule called furiten that makes defense an important part of the game.

How It Works in Gameplay

To win in Riichi Mahjong, your hand must contain at least one yaku, a specific pattern or condition that qualifies the hand. Four groups and a pair is not enough on its own. Declaring riichi is itself a yaku, so a riichi hand that completes always qualifies. Under the furiten rule, you cannot win on another player's discard if one of the tiles that would complete your hand is already in your own discards. Scoring counts han (from yaku and dora) and fu (base points). Dora add value but do not count as a yaku.

Example

Your concealed hand is tenpai, meaning ready: you need only a 7 Pin to win. You declare "Riichi!" and place a 1,000-point stick on the table. From now on your hand is locked: in almost every case, each tile you draw is discarded unless it wins. Two turns later, an opponent discards a 7 Pin. You call "Ron!" and win, scoring your riichi yaku plus any dora in your hand.

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