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[[Image:Dora and Wanpai.jpg|thumb|350px|Dead wall showing 2-pin as the dora indicator.]]'''Dora''' {{kana|ドラ}} is a feature to the game, where possession of specific tiles instantly grants the hand 1 han per tile. Nevertheless, hands still require at least one [[yaku]] in order to score, regardless of the number of dora in the hand. At the start of every hand, 14 tiles are set aside as the wanpai, or dead wall tiles.  Furthermore, additional dora may be revealed through the use of '''uradora''' and/or '''kandora'''.
[[Image:Dora and Wanpai.jpg|thumb|350px|Dead wall showing 2-pin as the dora indicator.]]'''Dora''' {{kana|ドラ}} are special tiles; each dora in your hand grants 1 [[han]]. However, '''hands still require at least one [[yaku]] in order to score'''. Dora do not count towards the yaku requirement, so they are best considered as a bonus.


== Wanpai ==
At the beginning of every hand, fourteen tiles are set aside as the dead wall tiles. One dead wall tile is then flipped over. The tile sequentially after the flipped tile is considered dora. Additional dora may be revealed through [[kan]], known as '''kandora'''. Also, hands that declare [[riichi]] may score extra '''uradora'''.
{{main|Wanpai}}


For every hand, fourteen tiles are always set aside to form the '''dead wall''', or '''wanpai''' {{kana|王牌}}.  One of these tiles, the third from the initial wall break, is always flipped over to indicate the dora.
== Dora Indicators ==
{{Main|Wanpai}}


==Dora order==
Every time tiles are dealt, fourteen tiles are set aside to form the '''dead wall''', or '''wanpai''' {{kana|王牌}}. One of these tiles - the third from the initial wall break, as shown in the picture - is always flipped over to indicate the dora. The tile sequentially after the flipped "dora indicator" is the dora itself. For example, if 1-man is the dora indicator, then 2-man is the dora itself.
This lists the complete dora order. As a repeat, the dora is the next tile within each of the following orders.  Dora are not "cross indicated" among the different suits. Furthermore, the dora order loops.
 
The following lists the complete dora order. Note that the order loops around, and that doras do not "cross-indicate" tiles of another suit.


===Suit order===
===Suit order===
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:{{#mjt:1234z}}  If the dora indicator is {{#mjt:4z}}, then the dora is {{#mjt:1z}}.
:{{#mjt:1234z}}  If the dora indicator is {{#mjt:4z}}, then the dora is {{#mjt:1z}}.


The wind order follows the same order as the [[Jikaze|seat winds]] in the same counterclockwise direction as the normal turn order.  Naturally, wind based dora are particularly advantageous to [[yakuhai]].  Yet, players seated off wind can still use this dora while implementing the appropriate yaku.
The wind order follows the same order as the [[Jikaze|seat winds]] in the same counter-clockwise direction as the normal turn order.


===Dragon order===
===Dragon order===
:{{#mjt:567z}}  If the dora indicator is {{#mjt:7z}}, then the dora is {{#mjt:5z}}.
:{{#mjt:567z}}  If the dora indicator is {{#mjt:7z}}, then the dora is {{#mjt:5z}}.


== Duplicated dora ==
== Multiple Dora ==
Dora stack; a hand can have as many dora as it can fit into the hand.


In the event a dora indicator is repeated, either as a kandora or uradora, then the dora tile is worth the number of han as the dora indicator shows.
In the event a dora indicator is repeated, then the dora tile will be worth one han per dora indicator.


'''Example:'''
'''Examples:'''


* Dora indicators
* Dora indicators
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A single {{#mjt:6s}} is worth 2 han.
A single {{#mjt:6s}} is worth 2 han.
----
* Dora indicator
: {{#mjt:4p}}
A single {{#mjt:0p}} is worth 2 han - one as a regular dora, one as an [[#Akadora|akadora]].


==Other types of dora==
==Other types of dora==
Additional indicators of dora may be found in the game.
During the game, you may find additional sources of dora.
 
===Kandora===
[[Image:Kandora.png|250px|right|thumb|Multiple dora shown due to [http://tenhou.net/0/?log=2014081810gm-0009-7447-935af6c5&tw=1&ts=5 kan calls].]]
After a call for [[kan]], an additional dora indicator is flipped. Specifically, the tile next to the dora indicator counter-clockwise on the dead wall is flipped. These are known as '''kandora''' {{kana|カンドラ}}.
 
Casual games will simply flip the kan dora immediately after kan. Others will differentiate between the kan types.
*Open kans (both damiminkan and shouminkan) only reveal the dora indicator after a discard, or after the next kan.
*Closed kans (ankan) reveal the dora indicator immediately.
 
===Uradora===
'''Uradora''' {{kana|裏ドラ}}, or '''underneath dora''', are used whenever a hand wins with [[riichi]]. Therefore, no open hand may ever have access to the ura dora. In the event that any riichi-declaring hand wins, the tiles underneath the dora indicator(s) are revealed. These newly revealed tiles serve as additional dora indicators.
 
For each kandora revealed, the hand gets an additional uradora indicator. These are known as '''kanuradora''' {{kana|カン裏ドラ}}.


===Akadora===
===Akadora===
[[Image:Dora Haku.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Specially marked haku as dora, next to a standard haku tile.]]
[[Image:Dora Haku.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Specially marked haku as dora, next to a standard haku tile.]]
[[Image:Kandora.png|250px|right|thumb|Multiple dora shown due to [http://tenhou.net/0/?log=2014081810gm-0009-7447-935af6c5&tw=1&ts=5 kan calls].]]
'''Akadora''' {{kana|赤ドラ}} or '''akapai''' {{kana|赤牌}} are specifically marked red dora tiles.  If included in the game, these "red fives" automatically count as dora, regardless of the dora indicator. If the dora indicator is a four, the red five of the same suit counts as two dora.  Some tile sets may mark other tiles as red dora.


'''Akadora''' {{kana|赤ドラ}}, '''akapai''' {{kana|赤牌}}, or '''red dora''' are tiles marked in red. Unlike dora indicators, having the red tile itself in your hand counts as a dora.
Akadora are frequently included in games, but are not universal. The most common rule is to include three red fives, one of each suit.
:{{#mjt:0m0p0s}}
:{{#mjt:0m0p0s}}


Other tiles may also be marked "red" as automatic dora. Five happens to be the common choice because it is the center number within the 1 through 9 range. Though rarely found, some older sets include a "red haku" tile (white dragon).
Most modern mahjong sets will include an extra red 5p (in total: two red 5p, one red 5m/5s). Sets may include other tiles marked "red" as automatic dora. Five happens to be the common choice because it is the center number within the 1 through 9 range. Though rarely found, some older sets include a "red haku" tile (white dragon), with some marking not present on the usual haku tile, and some sets include red threes.


===Uradora===
An akadora used as a dora indicator is treated as a regular tile.
'''Uradora''' {{kana|裏ドラ}}, or '''underneath dora''' applies only to hands won using [[riichi]].  Thus, no open hand may ever have access to the uradora.  In the event a riichi declared hand has won, the tiles underneath the dora indicator(s) are revealed.  These newly revealed tiles serve as additional dora indicators.  Potentially, such hands may potentially gain substantial value, just off of the uradora.
===Nukidora===
{{main|Sanma}}


If there are multiple identical indicators, each indicated tile counts as multiple dora correspondingly.
In some rules of three-player mahjong, the North tile may be used as a special dora. When a North tile is obtained, the player may call [[kita]], set the tile aside, and the hand gains 1 nukidora. Then, the player gets a dead wall draw. North tiles not called for kita are not dora.


===Kandora===
==Strategy==
After a call for [[Kan|kan]], additional dora indicators, called '''kandora''' {{kana|カンドラ}}, are revealed.  These are tiles next to the dora indicator counter clockwise on the dead wall.  Depending on the rules and/or formality of the game, the timing for flipping the kandora during a kan procedure may vary.  Casual games will simply flip the kan dora immediately after kan.  More technical games will differentiate between the kan types, where the kan dora may be flipped after the player makes a discard.
{{main|Dora strategy}}


Likewise, in the event of riichi, the uradora underneath the kandora are also revealed, as '''kanuradora''' {{kana|カン裏ドラ}}.
Dora tiles are valuable due to their +1 han. Until mangan, each han will roughly double your score, so even one dora is a substantial score boost.
===Nukidora===
{{main|Sanma}}


In some rules of three-player mahjong, North tiles may be [[kita|picked]]. The procedure is the same of forming a added kan. The North tiles picked becomes doras.
Because of their value, the dora itself, as well as tiles around the dora, are generally more dangerous to discard.


==Rule variations==
==Rule variations==
{{main|Dora variations}}
{{main|Dora variations}}


Rules variations allow the customization on the use of dora. Most commonly, the use of the initial dora is generally universal within Japanese mahjong. As for the other sources of dora, such as the kandora and uradora, some organizations would omit them. The most optional dora involve the akadora, where tile sets are sold with the red dora as extra tiles.
Rules variations differ on the use of dora.
*The initial dora is the most common - it is generally universal within Japanese mahjong.
*Kandora and uradora may be excluded in some rulesets, but it is common to use both.
*Akadora is the most optional, with many rules enabling/disabling them. Mahjong tile sets are often sold with red fives in addition to four regular fives of each suit.


==External links==
==External links==

Latest revision as of 00:36, 3 November 2024

Dead wall showing 2-pin as the dora indicator.

Dora 「ドラ」 are special tiles; each dora in your hand grants 1 han. However, hands still require at least one yaku in order to score. Dora do not count towards the yaku requirement, so they are best considered as a bonus.

At the beginning of every hand, fourteen tiles are set aside as the dead wall tiles. One dead wall tile is then flipped over. The tile sequentially after the flipped tile is considered dora. Additional dora may be revealed through kan, known as kandora. Also, hands that declare riichi may score extra uradora.

Dora Indicators

Every time tiles are dealt, fourteen tiles are set aside to form the dead wall, or wanpai 「王牌」. One of these tiles - the third from the initial wall break, as shown in the picture - is always flipped over to indicate the dora. The tile sequentially after the flipped "dora indicator" is the dora itself. For example, if 1-man is the dora indicator, then 2-man is the dora itself.

The following lists the complete dora order. Note that the order loops around, and that doras do not "cross-indicate" tiles of another suit.

Suit order

If the dora indicator is , then the dora is .
If the dora indicator is , then the dora is .
If the dora indicator is , then the dora is .

Wind order

If the dora indicator is , then the dora is .

The wind order follows the same order as the seat winds in the same counter-clockwise direction as the normal turn order.

Dragon order

If the dora indicator is , then the dora is .

Multiple Dora

Dora stack; a hand can have as many dora as it can fit into the hand.

In the event a dora indicator is repeated, then the dora tile will be worth one han per dora indicator.

Examples:

  • Dora indicators

A single is worth 2 han.


  • Dora indicator

A single is worth 2 han - one as a regular dora, one as an akadora.

Other types of dora

During the game, you may find additional sources of dora.

Kandora

Multiple dora shown due to kan calls.

After a call for kan, an additional dora indicator is flipped. Specifically, the tile next to the dora indicator counter-clockwise on the dead wall is flipped. These are known as kandora 「カンドラ」.

Casual games will simply flip the kan dora immediately after kan. Others will differentiate between the kan types.

  • Open kans (both damiminkan and shouminkan) only reveal the dora indicator after a discard, or after the next kan.
  • Closed kans (ankan) reveal the dora indicator immediately.

Uradora

Uradora 「裏ドラ」, or underneath dora, are used whenever a hand wins with riichi. Therefore, no open hand may ever have access to the ura dora. In the event that any riichi-declaring hand wins, the tiles underneath the dora indicator(s) are revealed. These newly revealed tiles serve as additional dora indicators.

For each kandora revealed, the hand gets an additional uradora indicator. These are known as kanuradora 「カン裏ドラ」.

Akadora

Specially marked haku as dora, next to a standard haku tile.

Akadora 「赤ドラ」, akapai 「赤牌」, or red dora are tiles marked in red. Unlike dora indicators, having the red tile itself in your hand counts as a dora.

Akadora are frequently included in games, but are not universal. The most common rule is to include three red fives, one of each suit.

Most modern mahjong sets will include an extra red 5p (in total: two red 5p, one red 5m/5s). Sets may include other tiles marked "red" as automatic dora. Five happens to be the common choice because it is the center number within the 1 through 9 range. Though rarely found, some older sets include a "red haku" tile (white dragon), with some marking not present on the usual haku tile, and some sets include red threes.

An akadora used as a dora indicator is treated as a regular tile.

Nukidora

In some rules of three-player mahjong, the North tile may be used as a special dora. When a North tile is obtained, the player may call kita, set the tile aside, and the hand gains 1 nukidora. Then, the player gets a dead wall draw. North tiles not called for kita are not dora.

Strategy

Dora tiles are valuable due to their +1 han. Until mangan, each han will roughly double your score, so even one dora is a substantial score boost.

Because of their value, the dora itself, as well as tiles around the dora, are generally more dangerous to discard.

Rule variations

Rules variations differ on the use of dora.

  • The initial dora is the most common - it is generally universal within Japanese mahjong.
  • Kandora and uradora may be excluded in some rulesets, but it is common to use both.
  • Akadora is the most optional, with many rules enabling/disabling them. Mahjong tile sets are often sold with red fives in addition to four regular fives of each suit.

External links

Dora in Japanese Wikipedia