Furiten: Difference between revisions

'''Furiten''' (振聴), meaning '''sacred discard''', is a particular rule associated with the tile discards. Unlike many other mahjong variations, the [[discard pile]] for Japanese mahjong is specifically arranged in front of players.  Likewise, [[naki|tile calls]] have specific arrangements to point the source of these discarded tiles.  The main purpose is the enforcement of the '''furiten rule'''. Basically, the player in [[Tenpai|tenpai]] is furiten if winning tiles are present in one's own discard pile or other player's discard pile, barring certain conditions. Players in furiten may still win by tsumo, but not by ron.

== The rule ==

* Players in furiten may not win by ron, even if they have a yaku.  

* Declaring ron while in furiten is penalized with a [[Chombo|chombo payment]].

* Players in furiten may still win by tsumo.

A riichi declarer may ignore a winning tile and not call ron. The ignored tile may have been a discarded tile or a [[Chankan|tile used to extend a minkou to a shominkan]]. After ignoring a winning tile, the riichi declarer is permanently furiten for the rest of the hand. Therefore, it is advised for any player declaring riichi to call ron, at the first instance of a winning tile. Otherwise, a win via [[mentsumo|tsumo]] becomes the only option.

The furiten rule emphasizes that all tiles discarded by any player after the riichi declaration are deemed [[genbutsu|safe tiles]], in addition to the player's own discards. Riichi declarers may not decline a ron against one player and expect to declare ron against another.  Even if a winning tile different from the ignored one appears, the player may not call ron. This rule requires knowledge of all own [[machi|possible waits]].