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'''Machi''' {{kana|待ち}} is the Japanese term for "wait patterns".  Given any mahjong hand at any instance, players are waiting for specific tiles either to develop their hands or complete it.  Wait patterns arise during hand development, when mahjong tiles in possession in the hand are in need of other tiles in order to complete '''[[mentsu]]''' (tile groups) or the entire hand.  Wait patterns during [[tenpai]] are of particular interest, as they indicate winning tiles.  Players in tenpai must know their waiting tiles, or else end up missing a winning tile.
'''Machi''' {{kana|待ち}}, or "waits" in English, are patterns that can be used to form [[tile group]]s and/or [[pair]]s. They of are particular interest for [[tenpai]] hands, since a tenpai hand's wait determines which tiles it can win with.


Five patterns here are classed as "basic wait patterns". These five patterns occur frequently; and they are not dependent on other patterns for formation. A combination of any of these five, including themselves, can form more complicated patterns.
There are 5 basic wait patterns. These patterns are the most frequent: they are comprised of only 1-2 tiles, and are not dependent on anything else in the hand. Basic waits can be combined in order to form "complex waits".


== Overview ==
== Overview ==
Many different patterns arise during the course of hand development. Once a hand reaches tenpai, being able to interpret the hand's available winning tiles is a vital skill. If a player does not correctly read their winning tiles, they may miss a valid win, or they may commit a [[chombo]] with an illegal win call: either by calling a win on a tile that does not complete the hand, or calling [[ron]] while [[furiten]] due to a tile that they did not realize would complete the hand.
Many different patterns arise during hand development. Once a hand is in tenpai, being able to recognize your winning tiles is important, lest you miss a win. The most common patterns are given names to make them more recognizable.


The most commonly occurring wait patterns have been given names, to make them more easily recognizable. More complex waits can arise involving a large number of potential configurations of the hand. This is especially true of hands with a large number of tiles in the same suit, most notably those aiming for [[chinitsu]]. Knowing the basic wait patterns also helps to combine them to interpret complex hands, which may have as many as 8 weights (not counting the special cases of [[chuuren poutou]] and [[kokushi musou]], which are easily recognizable).
When a hand is in tenpai:
* '''N-sided wait''' refers to the number of ''types'' of tile a hand can win with. A hand that waits for 1m and 4m would be 2-sided. The largest sided wait is [[kokushi musou]], which has a 13-sided wait.
* '''N-tiles available''' refers to the number of ''tiles'' a hand can win with. A hand that waits for 1m and 4m would wait for 8 tiles at maximum (4 copies of 1m, 4 copies of 4m). This number decreases if the winning tiles are discarded, visible in others' [[naki|tile calls]], or if the winning tiles are included in the hand. So if a hand that waits for 1m and 4m already has two copies of 1m, it would wait for 6 tiles at maximum. A hand can wait with 0 tiles remaining, a state known as [[karaten]].


===Wait counts===
Even before reaching tenpai, understanding waits are important. Wait patterns are used to form tile groups, so a hand will gather many wait patterns before reaching tenpai. Keeping better waits in your hand will allow you to [[tile efficiency|to complete your hand faster]].  
The waiting patterns can be analyzed using two numbers: '''n-sided waits''' and '''n-tiles available'''.  This counts the number of tile types and the number of tiles themselves.


Patterns waiting for n-sided look for the number of tile types count as winning tiles.  The largest number involves [[kokushi musou]] with a 13-sided wait pattern.  The smallest number is 1.
Hands with many tiles of the same suit, most notably [[chinitsu]] hands, are notorious for their complex waits, due to the many different ways the hand can be interpreted. Such hands can be difficult to figure out without the help of computer software.
 
As for counting the number of tiles available, this accounts every tile type having 4 copies each.  Maximum possible counts exclude tiles required in the hand.  Any tiles in other players' hands, the [[dead wall]], or discarded tiles are not factored to this count.  Of course, during the course of a hand, players must take into account the number of available tiles along with the maximum count.
 
==Hand development==
{{Main|Tile efficiency}}
 
During hand development, it is important to understand the hand's machi for two reasons. The first is that, when trying to bring a hand to tenpai, a player will want to maximize the number of available tiles to bring them closer. Doing this requires interpreting the patterns of potential groups in a similar manner to finding tile waits in a tenpai hand. The second is that furiten is best avoided, and so a player should avoid making discards that would leave them furiten once they reach tenpai. This can be a particular challenge when developing single-suited hands that may have a large number of different waits.


==Basic wait patterns==
==Basic wait patterns==
These five are essentially the basic wait patterns. Upon tenpai, they only look to complete either the last tile group or the pair.
There are five '''basic wait patterns'''. These are made out of 1 or 2 tiles. Upon tenpai, they only look to complete either the last tile group or the pair. All complex waits can be derived from the basic waits.  


{| class="wikitable" width=100%
{| class="wikitable" width=100%
|-
|-
! Name !! Kanji/Kana !! Header text
! Romaji !! Kanji/Kana !! Translated !! Pattern
! No. Sides !! Max. tiles !! Fu
|-
|-
| [[Ryanmen]] || 両面 || {{machi|pattern  = 000z45s00000000z|tilewaits = 36s}}
| [[Ryanmen]] || 両面 || Open || {{machi|pattern  = 45s00000000000z|tilewaits = 36s}}  
|2 || 8 tiles || 0 fu
|-
|-
| [[Penchan]] || 辺張 || {{machi|pattern  = 00000000000z89p|tilewaits = 7p}}
| [[Shanpon]] || 双ポン || Dual pair || {{machi|pattern  = 44s99p000000000z|tilewaits = 4s9p}}
| 2 || 4 tiles || 0 fu
|-
|-
| [[Shanpon]] || 双ポン || {{machi|pattern  = 000000000z44s99p|tilewaits = 4s9p}}
| [[Kanchan]] || 嵌張 || Closed/Middle || {{machi|pattern  = 35m00000000000z|tilewaits = 4m}}
| 1 || 4 tiles || 2 fu
|-
|-
| [[Kanchan]] || 嵌張 || {{machi|pattern  = 000000z35m00000z|tilewaits = 4m}}
| [[Penchan]] || 辺張 || Edge || {{machi|pattern  = 89p00000000000z|tilewaits = 7p}}
| 1 || 4 tiles || 2 fu
|-
|-
| [[Tanki]] || 単騎 || {{machi|pattern  = 0000000000001z|tilewaits = 1z}}
| [[Tanki]] || 単騎 || Pair || {{machi|pattern  = 1z000000000000z|tilewaits = 1z}}
| 1 || 3 tiles || 2 fu
|}
|}
Each of these wait patterns are worth a set amount of [[fu]]. For the purposes of fu counting, a complex wait can always be interpreted as one of the basic waits. (If multiple interpretations are possible, the highest scoring one is used. This may or may not be the one with the most fu.)
Assuming all else equal, ryanmen is the strongest of the basic wait patterns, with twice the number of tiles as the others. Shanpon is stronger than the others, since waiting on 2 types of tile is better than 1, and shanpon can wait with [[honor]] tiles. Kanchan and penchan are equally strong in tenpai; kanchan is stronger before tenpai, since it is easier to upgrade into ryanmen. Tanki is the weakest, but can be surprising.


==Named combinations==
==Named combinations==
The basic patterns can be combined for more complex patterns; and the wait patterns listed here have taken on names.
The basic patterns can be combined for more complex patterns. The wait patterns listed here have taken on names.


{| class="wikitable" width=100%
{| class="wikitable" width=100%
Line 47: Line 51:
| [[Nobetan]] || 延べ単<br />ノベタン || {{machi|pattern  = 000z2345p000000z|tilewaits = 25p}}
| [[Nobetan]] || 延べ単<br />ノベタン || {{machi|pattern  = 000z2345p000000z|tilewaits = 25p}}
|-
|-
| [[Sanmenchan]] || 三面張 || {{machi|pattern  = 00000000z23456m|tilewaits = 147m}}
| Standard [[Sanmenchan]]|| 狭義の三面張 || {{machi|pattern  = 00000000z23456m|tilewaits = 147m}}
|-
|-
| [[Sanmentan]] || 三面単 || {{machi|pattern  = 2345678s000000z|tilewaits = 258s}}
| [[Sanmentan]] || 三面単 || {{machi|pattern  = 2345678s000000z|tilewaits = 258s}}
Line 69: Line 73:
|}
|}


==Double yakuman patterns==
==Yakuman patterns==
These two unique patterns are linked to specific [[yakuman]]. Under all possible tile waits with these patterns, yakuman is ensured; under some scoring rules, winning a hand with these patterns is awarded [[multiple yakuman#full scoring|double yakuman]]. There are no other wait patterns with more than 8 winning tiles (although it is possible for an 8-sided wait to include four of the same tile in such a way that a hypothetical fifth copy of the same tile would complete the hand).
These three unique patterns are linked to specific [[yakuman]]. A yakuman is ensured no matter which tile is scored; under some rulesets, the latter two patterns are worth a [[multiple yakuman#full scoring|double yakuman]].


===Chuuren poutou kyuumen machi===
The latter two patterns are the widest in the game. The widest non-yakuman wait is an 8-sided wait.
{{Main|Chuuren poutou}}
 
===Kokushi musou===
{{Main|Kokushi musou}}
{{machi
{{machi
|pattern  = 1112345678999s
|pattern  = 19m19p19s1123456z
|tilewaits = 123456789s
|tilewaits = 7z
}}
}}


Line 86: Line 92:
}}
}}


==Complex patterns==
===Chuuren poutou kyuumen machi===
{{Main|Chuuren poutou}}
{{machi
|pattern  = 1112345678999s
|tilewaits = 123456789s
}}
 
==Other complex patterns==
{{main|Complex waits}}
{{main|Complex waits}}


These combinations involve patterns that do not have specific names. Instead, they use combined forms of the other patterns. Furthermore, they mostly consist of consecutive, or closely consecutive, numbered tiles.  Recognition of these patterns can produce some significantly powerful waits, which may be immune to [[suji]] and have large numbers of waiting tiles.
These combinations involve patterns that do not have specific names. Instead, they use combined forms of the other patterns. Furthermore, they mostly consist of consecutive, or closely consecutive, numbered tiles.  Recognition of these patterns can produce some significantly powerful waits, which may be immune to [[suji]] and have large numbers of waiting tiles.


==Related terminology==
==Related terminology==

Latest revision as of 07:12, 26 July 2024

Machi 「待ち」, or "waits" in English, are patterns that can be used to form tile groups and/or pairs. They of are particular interest for tenpai hands, since a tenpai hand's wait determines which tiles it can win with.

There are 5 basic wait patterns. These patterns are the most frequent: they are comprised of only 1-2 tiles, and are not dependent on anything else in the hand. Basic waits can be combined in order to form "complex waits".

Overview

Many different patterns arise during hand development. Once a hand is in tenpai, being able to recognize your winning tiles is important, lest you miss a win. The most common patterns are given names to make them more recognizable.

When a hand is in tenpai:

  • N-sided wait refers to the number of types of tile a hand can win with. A hand that waits for 1m and 4m would be 2-sided. The largest sided wait is kokushi musou, which has a 13-sided wait.
  • N-tiles available refers to the number of tiles a hand can win with. A hand that waits for 1m and 4m would wait for 8 tiles at maximum (4 copies of 1m, 4 copies of 4m). This number decreases if the winning tiles are discarded, visible in others' tile calls, or if the winning tiles are included in the hand. So if a hand that waits for 1m and 4m already has two copies of 1m, it would wait for 6 tiles at maximum. A hand can wait with 0 tiles remaining, a state known as karaten.

Even before reaching tenpai, understanding waits are important. Wait patterns are used to form tile groups, so a hand will gather many wait patterns before reaching tenpai. Keeping better waits in your hand will allow you to to complete your hand faster.

Hands with many tiles of the same suit, most notably chinitsu hands, are notorious for their complex waits, due to the many different ways the hand can be interpreted. Such hands can be difficult to figure out without the help of computer software.

Basic wait patterns

There are five basic wait patterns. These are made out of 1 or 2 tiles. Upon tenpai, they only look to complete either the last tile group or the pair. All complex waits can be derived from the basic waits.

Romaji Kanji/Kana Translated Pattern No. Sides Max. tiles Fu
Ryanmen 両面 Open
Waiting for:
2 8 tiles 0 fu
Shanpon 双ポン Dual pair
Waiting for:
2 4 tiles 0 fu
Kanchan 嵌張 Closed/Middle
Waiting for:
1 4 tiles 2 fu
Penchan 辺張 Edge
Waiting for:
1 4 tiles 2 fu
Tanki 単騎 Pair
Waiting for:
1 3 tiles 2 fu

Each of these wait patterns are worth a set amount of fu. For the purposes of fu counting, a complex wait can always be interpreted as one of the basic waits. (If multiple interpretations are possible, the highest scoring one is used. This may or may not be the one with the most fu.)

Assuming all else equal, ryanmen is the strongest of the basic wait patterns, with twice the number of tiles as the others. Shanpon is stronger than the others, since waiting on 2 types of tile is better than 1, and shanpon can wait with honor tiles. Kanchan and penchan are equally strong in tenpai; kanchan is stronger before tenpai, since it is easier to upgrade into ryanmen. Tanki is the weakest, but can be surprising.

Named combinations

The basic patterns can be combined for more complex patterns. The wait patterns listed here have taken on names.

Name Kanji/Kana Header text
Nobetan 延べ単
ノベタン
Waiting for:
Standard Sanmenchan 狭義の三面張
Waiting for:
Sanmentan 三面単
Waiting for:
Entotsu 煙突系
エントツ
Waiting for:
Aryanmen 亜両面
Waiting for:
Ryantan 両単
Waiting for:
Pentan 辺単
Waiting for:
Kantan 嵌単
Waiting for:
Kantankan 嵌単嵌
Waiting for:
Tatsumaki 竜巻
Waiting for:
Happoubijin 八方美人
Waiting for:

Yakuman patterns

These three unique patterns are linked to specific yakuman. A yakuman is ensured no matter which tile is scored; under some rulesets, the latter two patterns are worth a double yakuman.

The latter two patterns are the widest in the game. The widest non-yakuman wait is an 8-sided wait.

Kokushi musou

Main article: Kokushi musou
Waiting for:

Kokushi musou 13 machi

Main article: Kokushi musou
Waiting for:

Chuuren poutou kyuumen machi

Main article: Chuuren poutou
Waiting for:

Other complex patterns

Main article: Complex waits

These combinations involve patterns that do not have specific names. Instead, they use combined forms of the other patterns. Furthermore, they mostly consist of consecutive, or closely consecutive, numbered tiles. Recognition of these patterns can produce some significantly powerful waits, which may be immune to suji and have large numbers of waiting tiles.

Related terminology

Karaten

Main article: Karaten

Karaten 「カラテン」, or empty tenpai, is the case where there are no tiles left to win with, due to all potential winning tiles already having been used in the player's hand, a discard pool, a called group, or visible as dora indicators. In some rulesets, a hand in this state is considered noten at an exhaustive draw.

Takame and yasume

Main article: Takame and yasume

Takame is a potential winning tile which is worth more points than another, called yasume.

External links

Machi in Japanese Wikipedia
Forum list of various patterns
Wait survey quiz in Tenhou.net
Basic Waits

One-sided: Kanchan - Penchan - Tanki (Hadaka tanki - Nakabukure)

Two-sided: Ryanmen - Shanpon
2-tile Complex Wait
3-tile Complex Wait
4 or more
Miscellaneous
Special
Hand development
Defense
Scoring
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