List of yaku: Difference between revisions

A '''[[yaku]]''' {{kana|役}} is a certain pattern in a mahjong hand, or a special condition under which a win is declared. Many yaku are pattern-based yaku comparable to "poker hands". Unlike poker, yaku types do not supercede each other. Instead, they are the main factor to determine hand values.  Players must finish hands before others do; and each yaku has [[han|specific values]] attached to them to determine [[Scoring table|payment amounts]].

The yaku and their values are essential for [[scoring]]. The game rules define twenty-six different yaku, worth a different amount of '''[[han]]''' {{kana|飜}} based on their difficulty or pre-assigned value. A player can incorporate [[Yaku compatibility|several different yaku in the same hand]] and accumulate their han values for high-scoring hands. For additional scoring, the game also features [[dora]].  However, possession of dora are not considered as yaku, even though they provide han.  In addition, eleven additional patterns are classed as [[yakuman]].  Finally, one special case may be allowed in [[nagashi mangan]].

'''In order to win any hand in this game, a player requires at least one yaku.''' A hand having no yaku may not win, even if it has multiple dora. Declaring a win on a yakuless hand may result in [[chombo]].  So, as an early part of the game's learning process, it is essential to learn the different yaku listed here and eventually their han values.

The most important yaku to learn is [[riichi]], since it is very common and a very easy yaku to achieve. A new player may find it easiest to avoid opening their hand and simply aim for riichi every time; no other yaku is required to win the hand. However, this strategy is far too simple for serious play and an experienced player should generally aim for a high-scoring yaku or combination of yaku from the beginning of the hand.