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'''Jigoku''' {{kana|地獄}} is a special case of [[tanki]] wait where two of the winning tiles are visible to all the players either in a [[Discard pile|discard pool]] or used as a [[dora]] indicator. This means that there is only one winning tile left.
'''Jigoku''' {{kana|地獄}}, or "hell wait" in English, is a [[tanki]] wait where two of its three winning tiles are made unavailable (in the [[discard pile]], in the [[dora]] indicator, etc.). This means that there is only one winning tile left.


==Background==
==Background==
The meaning of jigoku wait has undergone some changes over time. It commonly refers to any tanki wait as long as two copies of the winning tiles are visible, but it used to refer only to the case where the winning tile is '''shaa''' (「西」 or '''west''') or other honor tile. Some people now started to use the term to refer to non-tanki waits where there is only one winning tile left. This usage is technically incorrect and misleading for the following reason. The basic idea behind jigoku wait is that the winning tile appears safe in the eyes of the opponents, so that whoever deals in to a jigoku wait will feel like they fall into hell. For example, when two copies of an honor tile are already discarded, the third copy of that honor tile looks safe because it can only be claimed for a ron if someone has a tanki wait with the fourth copy of it. However, just because there is one winning tile left does not make that tile appear safer. For this reason, some people still think that the term jigoku wait should not be used to refer to numbered tile tanki wait except when all the other wait patterns are negated by suji and kabe.
The meaning of jigoku wait has undergone some changes over time. It commonly refers to any tanki wait as long as two copies of the winning tiles are visible, but it is also used to refer to the specific case where the winning tile is '''shaa''' (「西」 or '''west'''). It has also been used to refer to exclusively tanki waits of an ''honor tile'' that has 2 copies visible.
 
Some people have now started to use the term to refer to non-tanki waits where there is only one winning tile left. This usage is technically incorrect and misleading for the following reasons:
* The basic idea behind a jigoku wait is that the winning tile appears safe. When two of an honor tile had been discarded already, the 3rd honor tile is much safer to discard - the only way for it to be hit by [[ron]] is if someone had a tanki wait with the 4th copy, or with the rare and easy-to-detect [[kokushi musou]].  
* However, when two of a number tile is discarded, the 3rd copy of said number tile is ''not'' much safer. In addition to tanki, an opponent can claim ron with the waits of [[ryanmen]], [[kanchan]], or [[penchan]].
* Therefore, some people still think that the term jigoku wait should only refer to honor tile tanki waits, not numbered tanki waits or other 1-tile left waits.  


==Wait strength==
==Wait strength==
[[File:Jigoku riichi.png|thumb|right|Riichi with [http://tenhou.net/0/?log=2014081918gm-00a9-0000-ff46ec5f&ts=6 jigoku].]]
[[File:Jigoku riichi.png|thumb|right|Riichi with [http://tenhou.net/0/?log=2014081918gm-00a9-0000-ff46ec5f&ts=6 jigoku].]]


Aside from [[karaten]], this is the weakest choice for a wait, because of the number of available tiles to win: one. However, the solitary tile may actually be strong, as players may view it as a [[defense|safe tile]]; and therefore, one player may discard it. The wait would be better still with the addition of [[suji]] and/or [[kabe]], or even with an [[jihai|honor tile]] with two already discarded. In essence, choosing this wait may come in the form of a trap, luring unsuspecting players.  This wait is best used for emergency situations, such as being in last place at [[oorasu]] and other dire circumstances.
In terms of pure acceptance, this is a very weak wait, as there's only one tile left to win off of. It is unreliable, since your lone tile could be in the [[dead wall]]. It is slow, since pairs are more common than sequences (thus, players often need to go out of the way to have a tanki wait).  
 
However, because a jigoku wait is so poor, it can be used to trap players. A wait on an honor tile may actually end up being strong, as other players can view it as a [[defense|safe tile]] and deal in. A jigoku tanki off a number tile that would be subject to [[suji]] or [[kabe]] is also more powerful.
 
Overall, while this wait is not great at winning, it is one of the better waits for trying to [[ron]] a player. Therefore, this wait is best used for emergency situations, such as being in last place at [[oorasu]] and other dire circumstances.


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

Latest revision as of 11:41, 25 August 2024

Jigoku
Kanji 地獄
English Hell wait
Fu 2 fu
Tile types waiting 1 sided wait
Tiles available 1 tile
Pattern example
Tenhou.net example

Jigoku 「地獄」, or "hell wait" in English, is a tanki wait where two of its three winning tiles are made unavailable (in the discard pile, in the dora indicator, etc.). This means that there is only one winning tile left.

Background

The meaning of jigoku wait has undergone some changes over time. It commonly refers to any tanki wait as long as two copies of the winning tiles are visible, but it is also used to refer to the specific case where the winning tile is shaa (「西」 or west). It has also been used to refer to exclusively tanki waits of an honor tile that has 2 copies visible.

Some people have now started to use the term to refer to non-tanki waits where there is only one winning tile left. This usage is technically incorrect and misleading for the following reasons:

  • The basic idea behind a jigoku wait is that the winning tile appears safe. When two of an honor tile had been discarded already, the 3rd honor tile is much safer to discard - the only way for it to be hit by ron is if someone had a tanki wait with the 4th copy, or with the rare and easy-to-detect kokushi musou.
  • However, when two of a number tile is discarded, the 3rd copy of said number tile is not much safer. In addition to tanki, an opponent can claim ron with the waits of ryanmen, kanchan, or penchan.
  • Therefore, some people still think that the term jigoku wait should only refer to honor tile tanki waits, not numbered tanki waits or other 1-tile left waits.

Wait strength

Riichi with jigoku.

In terms of pure acceptance, this is a very weak wait, as there's only one tile left to win off of. It is unreliable, since your lone tile could be in the dead wall. It is slow, since pairs are more common than sequences (thus, players often need to go out of the way to have a tanki wait).

However, because a jigoku wait is so poor, it can be used to trap players. A wait on an honor tile may actually end up being strong, as other players can view it as a safe tile and deal in. A jigoku tanki off a number tile that would be subject to suji or kabe is also more powerful.

Overall, while this wait is not great at winning, it is one of the better waits for trying to ron a player. Therefore, this wait is best used for emergency situations, such as being in last place at oorasu and other dire circumstances.

External links