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Japanese mahjong: Difference between revisions
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a "things to know" section to prime people into basic strategy
(a "things to know" section to prime people into basic strategy) |
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===End of game=== | ===End of game=== | ||
[[File:PlusMinus.png|thumb|240px|right|End game results with raw scores and uma scores]] | [[File:PlusMinus.png|thumb|240px|right|End game results with raw scores and uma scores]] | ||
Typically, the game ends after the final hand of the last round, when at least one player | Typically, the game ends after the final hand of the last round, when at least one player has at least 30,000 points. This figure may differ (it depends on ruleset). However, the entire game may end prematurely. A game end may occur under the following conditions: | ||
* '''Negative points'''. When any player's points falls below 0, then the game ends immediately. At that point, the player has run out of point sticks. The game can continue when a player has exactly 0 points. (Some rules allow the game to continue even when a player has negative points) | * '''Negative points'''. When any player's points falls below 0, then the game ends immediately. At that point, the player has run out of point sticks. The game can continue when a player has exactly 0 points. (Some rules allow the game to continue even when a player has negative points) | ||
* '''Win and finish'''. On the final hand of the last round, if the dealer wins the hand, the dealer may choose to continue the game or end the game. | * '''Win and finish'''. On the final hand of the last round, if the dealer wins the hand, the dealer may choose to continue the game or end the game. | ||
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===End game score=== | ===End game score=== | ||
{{main|Uma}} | {{main|Uma}} | ||
Once the game ends, points are tallied, and places get a rank from 1st to 4th. | |||
With the [[oka and uma]] systems, players get a bonus or penalty based on rank. 4th place pays 1st place some amount of points, and 3rd place pays second place some amount of points. This system was originally designed for gambling, but it can also be used for tournament or competitive play. | |||
==Variants== | ==Variants== | ||
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A variant that is much more fast-paced, and considered more suited towards gambling, with the goal of 'sinking' the other players. | A variant that is much more fast-paced, and considered more suited towards gambling, with the goal of 'sinking' the other players. | ||
== Things to Know == | |||
Compared to other "general" variants of mahjong, such as Hong Kong or Singaporean: | |||
*Yaku are less important for the value of the hand. You need at least one yaku to win, but in general, yaku are less important to focus on. This is because of [[riichi]] and [[dora]]. By using riichi and/or dora, hands can be valuable without sacrificing much speed. Therefore, slower/more difficult yaku have a harder time competing. | |||
:The "[[mangan]] limit" also contributes to this point. Each han roughly doubles the score until ~4 han (specifically, at 8000 points), where you reach mangan. Past this point, each han become less effective at increasing your score. Therefore, 4 han hands are great for efficiency. | |||
*Defense is a major part of gameplay, due to riichi and furiten. Furiten allows players to defend reliably. Riichi gives players a reason to defend - they do not want to deal in. Tsumo is not worth ''as'' much as in other variants. | |||
*Placement is important in most places where riichi mahjong is played. The oka and/or uma encourage players to rise in ''place'' rather than rise in points. Going from 2nd to 1st in the last round might be worth the equivalent of a [[yakuman]], depending on the settings. In online clients, placement is often the main factor for determining rating. | |||
A player new to mahjong should focus on the following: | |||
*How to make a winning hand. | |||
*Basic game flow - getting used to gameplay in general. | |||
*Basic [[yaku]], such as [[riichi]], [[tanyao]], and [[yakuhai]]. | |||
Once you learn these, you should learn: | |||
*[[Tile efficiency]] - How to build your hand faster (and when to go for speed over value, and vice versa). | |||
*[[Defense]] - which tiles are safer than others. Also, learn to defend and not just push every hand you get. | |||
*Common values for [[scoring]] and the other yaku. Note that some yaku, like [[honroutou]] and [[sankantsu]], are slow, rare, difficult, and not worth very much. Others are more useful. | |||
== Player environments == | == Player environments == | ||
The game may be played under a number of different environments. | The game may be played under a number of different environments. New players may engage under casual settings where rule enforcement is not so strict, and play speed might not be so rigorous. In addition, the pressure of winning is smaller. The formality is increased under tournament settings. In Japan, commercial play is hosted in [[Jansou|mahjong parlors]], where players come to pay-to-play. Either at the parlors, casinos, or residences, gambling may be involved, whether it be legal or not legal. Finally, professional play involves televised games; and a staff may take detailed record of games and their results. Naturally, participants are expected to be knowledgeable of the rules and strategies. | ||
=== Club play === | === Club play === | ||