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'''Renchan''' {{kana|連荘}}, called '''repeats''' or '''continuances''' in English, are when another [[kyoku|hand]] is played again with the same [[oya|dealer]]. Renchan factor significantly into game strategy: because the dealer scores more points for winning, it is generally preferred to have as many hands as dealer as possible. While the exact conditions for renchan [[scoring variations#renchan|vary by ruleset]], in general, a renchan is a bonus given to a dealer who does well.
When a '''renchan''' {{kana|連荘}}, or '''dealer repeat''', occurs, a new [[kyoku|hand]] is started, but the [[jikaze|wind seating]] does not rotate. Therefore, for each renchan, the game is extended by 1 hand. In addition, a [[honba]] is added, slightly increasing the value of the next win.


When a renchan occurs, the hand is played again with the same dealer. Consequently, the [[jikaze|winds]] do not rotate. Additionally, a [[honba]] is added, slightly increasing the value of the next hand.
A renchan occurs when the [[dealer]] wins. In many rulesets, they also occur when the dealer retains [[tenpai]] when [[Ryuukyoku|no one wins the hand]]. They also occur after an [[abortive draw]].


Renchan are not the only situations where a honba can be added, nor the only situations where the hand can be repeated with the same dealer. Honba are also added if the deal rotates without a player winning, and the hand can be repeated with the same dealer in event of a [[chombo]]. If a chombo occurs, however, no honba are added.
Renchan are a major part of the game's strategy. Dealers get more points for winning, so the dealer is encouraged to renchan to keep their position (each renchan is +1 hand where they are dealer). In addition, the extra hands can allow players more chances to [[gyakuten|comeback]] from a losing situation.


== Conditions ==
== Strategy ==
The dealer is encouraged to win a bit more quickly in order to trigger renchan. Note, however, that the value of renchan is not very big. In an average situation, the expected value of a renchan is around 500 (as a lowball estimate) to 750 points.<ref>Gō, Kobayashi. ''Super Digital Mahjong''. Translation: https://natsuai.com/mahjong/digital/chapter-2-3</ref> This is quite small, so in normal situations, you shouldn't change your play by a lot just for an extra renchan.


Under all rulesets, renchan occurs any time the dealer wins a hand. Under rulesets which allow [[tochuu ryuukyoku|abortive draws]], renchan occurs every time an abortive draw occurs.
When nearing [[oorasu|all last]], renchan can be a lot more valuable. A player who is very far behind is hard-pressed to win many renchan in order to climb back up. Conversely, when late in the game, a player with a big lead may deliberately avoid a renchan to end the game faster (giving other players less chances to make a comeback).


Beyond these commonalities, the conditions for renchan can vary from ruleset to ruleset. In some rulesets, they can vary depending on the [[ba|wind round]] of the game. If this is the case, then renchan is usually more difficult in the east round, and more commmon during the south round.
If tenpai renchan is used, then dealers have a greater incentive to remain tenpai by exhaustive draw. This may result in riskier play than usual, since the dealer has more at stake than the other players.


=== Agari renchan ===
== Rule variations ==
{{Main|Scoring variations#Renchan}}


The most restrictive form of renchan rules is '''agari renchan''' (win renchan), under which there are no other conditions for renchan. In particular, renchan never occurs at [[ryuukyoku|an exhaustive draw]].
Practically every ruleset allows renchan after a dealer win. Other than that, the rules can vary:


=== Tenpai renchan ===
*'''Agari renchan''': Renchan only occurs after a dealer win.
*'''Tenpai renchan''': Renchan occurs after a dealer win, or if the dealer is tenpai at exhaustive draw.
*'''Ryuukyoku renchan''': Renchan occurs after a dealer win or any exhaustive draw (even if dealer is not tenpai). This is mainly used in rulesets when the East round is tenpai renchan, and South round is ryuukyoku renchan.


The most common form of renchan is '''tenpai renchan''', under which a renchan also occurs at an exhaustive draw if the dealer declares a [[tenpai]] hand.
In addition, if [[abortive draw]]s are used, an abortive draw always triggers a renchan.


=== Ryuukyoku renchan ===
Some rulesets may have different renchan rules depending on whether it is East round or South round. In these rules, renchans are usually harder in East round, and easier in the South round.


The most permissive form of renchan is '''ryuukyoku renchan''', under which a renchan also occurs at any exhaustive draw, regardless of players' tenpai status. Usually, this variation is only found in the south round where the east round is played with tenpai renchan.
If [[multiple ron]] is enabled, there may be a variation to the rule that the dealer always get a renchan after winning the hand. Under some rulesets, if a multiple ron occurs and the dealer is one of the winners, a renchan occurs in a multiple ron only if the dealer is the first player in turn order after the player who dealt in, similar to how [[atamahane]] awards the win only to the first player in turn order.
 
=== Minor variations ===
 
If [[multiple ron]] is permitted, there may be a variation to the rule that the dealer always get a renchan after winning the hand. Under some rulesets, if a multiple ron occurs and the dealer is one of the winners, a renchan occurs in a multiple ron only if the dealer is the first player in turn order after the player who dealt in, similar to how [[atamahane]] awards the win only to the first player in turn order.


If [[nagashi mangan]] is used, then its interaction with renchan depends on how it is scored. Under some rulesets, nagashi mangan is scored as a winning hand, in which case renchan occurs if the dealer was the player to complete it. Under other rulesets, nagashi mangan is treated as a replacement for the usual points exchange at an exhaustive draw, in which case the renchan occurs based on the usual rules for an exhaustive draw. This may allow the dealer to complete and score nagashi mangan but, because they are not [[tenpai]], to lose the deal.
If [[nagashi mangan]] is used, then its interaction with renchan depends on how it is scored. Under some rulesets, nagashi mangan is scored as a winning hand, in which case renchan occurs if the dealer was the player to complete it. Under other rulesets, nagashi mangan is treated as a replacement for the usual points exchange at an exhaustive draw, in which case the renchan occurs based on the usual rules for an exhaustive draw. This may allow the dealer to complete and score nagashi mangan but, because they are not [[tenpai]], to lose the deal.
== Strategy ==
In general, the dealer wants to win repeatedly and quickly in order to trigger renchan. The dealer receives a score bonus for winning, and while taking slower, bigger hands may be enticing, it is better to save that for large hands ([[mangan]] or better) in order to minimize the risk of someone else winning and the deal rotating.
Every time the dealer wins a hand, they receive a renchan. This means that they will receive the points for winning the hand, and then the hand will repeat with the same dealer. The points exchange means that the game is no closer to its conclusion, but the dealer now has more points, putting them into a better situation. If the dealer wins repeatedly, these points can add up, and the points for the honba will also add up.
If tenpai renchan is the rule in effect, then as a hand nears an exhaustive draw, the dealer is encouraged to remain tenpai in order to claim a renchan. This may result in riskier play than usual, since the dealer has more at stake than the other players.
Near the end of the game, the strategy regarding renchan can change. A player who is very far behind is hard-pressed to win many renchan in order to climb back up and possibly surpass other players' scores, while a player in first wants the game to end as quickly as possible. Nearing the end, a dealer with a sizeable lead may deliberately avoid a renchan (especially if [[agariyame]] is not being used) in order to avoid the risk of a large tsumo, and to hasten the end of the game.


== External links==
== External links==
{{References}}
[[Category:Game rules]]
[[Category:Game rules]]
[[Category:Terminology]]
[[Category:Terminology]]


{{Navbox strategy}}
{{Navbox strategy}}

Latest revision as of 11:43, 25 August 2024

When a renchan 「連荘」, or dealer repeat, occurs, a new hand is started, but the wind seating does not rotate. Therefore, for each renchan, the game is extended by 1 hand. In addition, a honba is added, slightly increasing the value of the next win.

A renchan occurs when the dealer wins. In many rulesets, they also occur when the dealer retains tenpai when no one wins the hand. They also occur after an abortive draw.

Renchan are a major part of the game's strategy. Dealers get more points for winning, so the dealer is encouraged to renchan to keep their position (each renchan is +1 hand where they are dealer). In addition, the extra hands can allow players more chances to comeback from a losing situation.

Strategy

The dealer is encouraged to win a bit more quickly in order to trigger renchan. Note, however, that the value of renchan is not very big. In an average situation, the expected value of a renchan is around 500 (as a lowball estimate) to 750 points.[1] This is quite small, so in normal situations, you shouldn't change your play by a lot just for an extra renchan.

When nearing all last, renchan can be a lot more valuable. A player who is very far behind is hard-pressed to win many renchan in order to climb back up. Conversely, when late in the game, a player with a big lead may deliberately avoid a renchan to end the game faster (giving other players less chances to make a comeback).

If tenpai renchan is used, then dealers have a greater incentive to remain tenpai by exhaustive draw. This may result in riskier play than usual, since the dealer has more at stake than the other players.

Rule variations

Main article: Scoring variations#Renchan

Practically every ruleset allows renchan after a dealer win. Other than that, the rules can vary:

  • Agari renchan: Renchan only occurs after a dealer win.
  • Tenpai renchan: Renchan occurs after a dealer win, or if the dealer is tenpai at exhaustive draw.
  • Ryuukyoku renchan: Renchan occurs after a dealer win or any exhaustive draw (even if dealer is not tenpai). This is mainly used in rulesets when the East round is tenpai renchan, and South round is ryuukyoku renchan.

In addition, if abortive draws are used, an abortive draw always triggers a renchan.

Some rulesets may have different renchan rules depending on whether it is East round or South round. In these rules, renchans are usually harder in East round, and easier in the South round.

If multiple ron is enabled, there may be a variation to the rule that the dealer always get a renchan after winning the hand. Under some rulesets, if a multiple ron occurs and the dealer is one of the winners, a renchan occurs in a multiple ron only if the dealer is the first player in turn order after the player who dealt in, similar to how atamahane awards the win only to the first player in turn order.

If nagashi mangan is used, then its interaction with renchan depends on how it is scored. Under some rulesets, nagashi mangan is scored as a winning hand, in which case renchan occurs if the dealer was the player to complete it. Under other rulesets, nagashi mangan is treated as a replacement for the usual points exchange at an exhaustive draw, in which case the renchan occurs based on the usual rules for an exhaustive draw. This may allow the dealer to complete and score nagashi mangan but, because they are not tenpai, to lose the deal.

External links

  1. ↑ Gō, Kobayashi. Super Digital Mahjong. Translation: https://natsuai.com/mahjong/digital/chapter-2-3
Hand development
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