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'''Dora''' (ドラ) is a feature to the game, where possession of specific tiles instantly grants the hand 1 han per tile. Regardless, hands must still possess a [[yaku]] in order to score, regardless of the number of dora in the hand.
[[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.


==The dead wall==
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'''.
Every mahjong hand session has 14 tiles set aside from the regular tile draw and discard processes.  These tiles are designated as the dead wall, and they are considered to be out of play. Among the dead wall, one tile is flipped and revealed for everyone. This tile is assigned as the '''''dorahyouji''''' (ドラ表示), or "dora indicator".  Tiles marked as dora are indicated as the next tile in the sequence.  For example, if the dora indicator shows {{#mjt:5p}}, then the dora tile is {{#mjt:6p}}.


==Dora order==
== Dora Indicators ==
This lists the complete dora orderAs 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.
{{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 as shown in the picture, is always flipped over to indicate the dora. The tile 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===


:{{#mjt:123456789m}}  If the dora indicator is {{#mjt:9m}}, then the dora is {{#mjt:1m}}.
:{{#mjt:123456789m}}  If the dora indicator is {{#mjt:9m}}, then the dora is {{#mjt:1m}}.
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===Wind order===
===Wind order===
:{{#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 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}}.


===Red 5===
== Multiple Dora ==
If included in the game, these "red fives" may also 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.
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 repeated dora indicator.
 
'''Examples:'''
 
* Dora indicators
: {{#mjt:5s}} {{#mjt:5s}}
 
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==
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===
[[Image:Dora Haku.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Specially marked haku as dora, next to a standard haku tile.]]
'''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}}


==Ura dora==
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.
This applies only to hands won using [[Riichi|riichi]].  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 ura dora.


If there are multiple identical indicators, each indicated tile counts as multiple dora correspondingly.
An akadora used as a dora indicator is treated as a regular tile.
===Nukidora===
{{main|Sanma}}


==Kan dora==
In some rules of three-player mahjong, the North tile may be used as special type of dora. By calling [[kita]], the North tile is placed aside, and the hand gains 1 nukidora. Then, the player gets a dead wall draw. North tiles not called for kita are not dora.
After a call for [[Kan|kan]], additional dora indicators are flipped.  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 kan dora 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.


Likewise, in the event of riichi, the ura dora underneath the kan dora are also revealed, as kan ura dora.
==Strategy==
{{main|Dora strategy}}
 
Because each dora is worth one han, dora tiles are considered valuable. The dora itself, as well as tiles around the dora, are generally more dangerous to discard.
 
==Rule variations==
{{main|Dora 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==
==External links==
{{jpwiki|ドラ_(麻雀)}}
[[Category:Terminology]]
[[Category:Terminology]]
[[Category:Game rules]]
[[Category:Game rules]]

Latest revision as of 05:05, 1 August 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

For every hand, fourteen tiles are always 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 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 repeated 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 special type of dora. By calling kita, the North tile is placed 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

Because each dora is worth one han, dora tiles are considered valuable. 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