Yakuhai: Difference between revisions

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* [http://tenhou.net/0/?log=2012120416gm-0009-0000-20a78337&tw=3&ts=12 Double West]
* [http://tenhou.net/0/?log=2012120416gm-0009-0000-20a78337&tw=3&ts=12 Double West]
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'''Yakuhai''' {{kana|役牌}} is a group of [[List of yaku|yaku]] that focus on [[jihai]], or honor tiles.  Along with [[tanyao]], these yaku are one of the easiest and most frequently occurring yaku in the game.  Particularly with [[Kazehai|wind tiles]], players need to make note of the seat winds (and their order); and on top of that, the round wind needs to be noted as well.  This determines whether or not particular wind tile groups may count for yakuhai. [[Sangenpai|Dragon tile groups]], on the other hand, count throughout the game.  Under any of these instances, players must collect [[Koutsu|triplets]] of the appropriate tile groupings.
'''Yakuhai''' {{kana|役牌}} is a group of 1 [[han]] [[yaku]] scored for completing a [[mentsu|group]] of certain  [[jihai|honour tiles]].  Along with [[tanyao]] and [[riichi]], these yaku are the easiest and most frequently occurring yaku in the game.  The yakuhai awarded for [[kazehai|wind tiles]] are unique in that the eligible tiles change over the course of the game. [[Sangenpai|Dragon tile groups]], on the other hand, count throughout the game.


==Tile patterns==
==Tile patterns==


To simply put, a player attaining a triplet of the appropriate honor tiles automatically produces yaku worth one han per qualifying honor triplet.  Upon attaining yakuhai, the rest of the hand may be formed as any composition: open, closed, and any [[mentsu|tile group]] that helps complete the hand.
All that is required for yakuhai is a single [[koutsu|triplet]] or [[kantsu|quad]] of an eligible tile. The three [[sangenpai|dragon tiles]] are always eligible, but among the wind tiles, only the [[bakaze|round wind]] and the player's [[jikaze|seat wind]] are eligible. [[Otakaze|Guest winds]] are ineligible.


:{{#mjt:345p999m1114z}} {{#mjt:7'89s}} Agari: {{#mjt:4z}}
Yakuhai is not a single yaku but rather a collection of five yaku (one for each dragon, one for the round wind, and one for the seat wind). The five are all compatible with each other and they can be scored in any combination, except that all three dragon yakuhai will lead to [[daisangen]] instead. If the round wind and seat wind are the same, then both are scored for that group.


Here, the triplet of the east wind satisfies the yaku requirement for the hand, for the dealer and/or any player during the East round.  For the dealer during the East round, the triplet is counted as yakuhai twice.  Now, consider the east wind triplet were to be replaced by a dragon triplet:
==Examples==


:{{#mjt:345p999m6664z}} {{#mjt:7'89s}} Agari: {{#mjt:4z}}
:{{#mjt:0000000000666z}} Agari: {{#mjt:0z}}


The triplet of the green dragons satisfies the yaku requirement regardless of seating and wind round.
The triplet of the green dragons satisfies the yaku regardless of seating and wind round.


:{{#mjt:345p5556664z}} {{#mjt:7'89s}} Agari: {{#mjt:4z}}
:{{#mjt:0000000z}} {{#mjt:11'1z}} {{#mjt:000'z}} Agari: {{#mjt:0z}}


Here, the 9-man triplet is replaced with a white dragon triplet. A hand looking like this counts each dragon triplet for 1-han each.
Here, the triplet of the east wind satisfies the yaku if this hand is scored during the [[ba|east round]], or by the [[oya|dealer]] in any round. In the east round, the dealer will score the double east wind as 2 han.


==Rules==
:{{#mjt:0000007z}} {{#mjt:55"5z}} {{#mjt:6'666z}} Agari: {{#mjt:7z}}
 
Each of the dragon quads scores 1 han for its own yakuhai. They are scored separately, and the fact that they are quads rather than triplets is irrelevant in the scoring. The additional [[jantou|pair]] of red dragons means that the hand scores [[shousangen]] in addition to, but not instead of, the double yakuhai.
 
 
==Usage==
Along with [[tanyao]], yakuhai are among the easiest yaku to learn and use. As the honour tiles are generally weak due to their inability to form [[shuntsu|sequences]], they are often discarded early in the hand. A player starting with a [[toitsu|pair]] of eligible tiles can usually [[pon]] a third, instantly satisfying the yaku requirement.    This ability makes this yaku exceptionally convenient for the completion of fast hands.  Therefore, this yaku is also sometimes called an '''express ticket'''.
 
Players looking for a quick win will often hold lone yakuhai tiles a little longer than their [[tile efficiency]] would dictate, in hopes of getting a second and then calling (or drawing) a third to make a yakuhai. This is particularly true with hands that will have difficulty completing an open [[tanyao]], either because they have lots of [[routouhai|terminals]] or honours, or because [[kuitan|open tanyao]] is not allowed.
 
==Terminology==
{| class="wikitable" align=right style="margin:0.5em" width=15%
{| class="wikitable" align=right style="margin:0.5em" width=15%
|-
|-
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| Red dragon || 役牌 中 || White dragon || 役牌 白
| Red dragon || 役牌 中 || White dragon || 役牌 白
|}
|}
Yakuhai are dependent among the different honor tiles.  In the case of [[sangenpai]] (dragon tiles), any player may collect a set of either tile and attain the yaku for that tile.  With regards to [[kazehai]] (wind tiles), yakuhai counts for the players in relation to their current [[jikaze|wind seating]] and/or the current wind round.
Players are assigned a particular '''wind seat''', or '''[[jikaze]]''' {{kana|自風}}, relative to the dealer position, who is always seated East.  As a note, players need to remember the wind order of: '''East, South, West, and North''' {{kana|東、南、西、北}}, which is always the turn order barring calls for [[pon]] or [[kan]].  The wind seating rotates counterclockwise according to the rules; and under all circumstances, the order remains the same relative to the dealer.
For the seat wind yaku, players must collect their own set of wind tiles to qualify for yakuhai.  For this, it is necessary for players to be aware of the current wind seating.  Once again, this can easily be noted by paying attention to the dealer position.  If a wind is neither the seat nor round wind, it is considered as an '''otakaze''' {{kana|客風}} (''off wind'' or ''guest wind''). A set of such a wind is not counted towards yakuhai, which may or may not be helpful depending on the hand.  Open calls for such wind tiles forces players to resort to other yaku for completion.  Tile calls on guest winds may not be a wise decision.  Though, it may actually signal to other players regarding some "unusual hand development".
Furthermore, the game has an assigned round wind.  Typically, the round wind is denoted by either East or South.  Occasionally, the game moves into [[Shaakyoku|West round]] as well, where the West wind counts as the '''bakaze''' {{kana|場風}}, or '''round wind'''.  Marked by the dealer indicator, the round wind is the same for all players; and it only changes after all players had a chance to sit as East for at least one hand, when the game moves from the East round to the South round.  Collecting a set of this wind satisfies the round wind yaku.  Essentially, the round wind functions like the dragon tiles, where any player may collect them and have them counted for yakuhai.  Finally, a tile grouping of the round wind work in conjunction with the wind seating.  When seated as the same wind with the round wind, then the tile group counts double, such as Double East or Double South.
Finally, four [[yakuman]] utilizes the honor tile groups.  All three groups of sangenpai in one hand creates [[daisangen]].  The wind tiles can be used for either [[shousuushi]] or [[daisuushii]].  Some assorted groups of honor tiles form [[tsuuiisou]].  Both daisangen, shousuushii, or daisuushii can mix with tsuuiisou for [[multiple yakuman|double yakuman]].  For each of these, yakuhai itself becomes irrelevant.


==Usage==
While yakuhai can be referred to collectively and it is rarely ambiguous, it is not uncommon to call them out individually, particularly when scoring a hand by announcing its yaku. The table to the right shows the written forms of most of the yakuhai.
Along with [[tanyao]], yakuhai are among the easiest yaku to learn and use.  It is the simple collection of particular wind tiles or any group of dragon tiles.  As for the rest of the hand, players are free to form any tile grouping, that they wish whether open or closed. Typically, yakuhai are open hands, as possession of the appropriately paired tiles makes it easy to complete by calling on the discarded third tile, or sometimes fourth.  This ability makes this yaku exceptionally convenient, for the completion of fast hands.  Therefore, this yaku is also called "express ticket".


=== Compatability ===
== Compatability ==
{{main|Yaku compatability}}
{{main|Yaku compatability}}


{{Yaku compatibility table|YAK}}
{{Yaku compatibility table|YAK}}


Yakuhai essentially works with any yaku, that has room or allows the use of honor tile groups, which gives it a great amount of versatility.  [[Honitsu]] is most effective, with the use of at least one yakuhai group.  Finally, different groups of yakuhai tiles may be collected into one hand; and so, this yaku is compatible with itself.  In particular, [[shousangen]] requires not just one, but two yakuhai.
Yakuhai essentially works with any yaku which has room or allows the use of honor tile groups, which gives it great versatility.  [[Honitsu]] is one of the most effective combinations with at least one yakuhai group.  Different groups of yakuhai tiles may be collected into one hand; and so, this yaku is compatible with itself.  In particular, [[shousangen]] requires not just one, but two yakuhai.  
 
The definitions of [[tanyao]], [[junchan]], and [[chinitsu]] eliminates the use of honor tiles all together. Yakuhai groups generate fu; and this prevents a combination with [[pinfu]]. [[ryanpeikou]] requires four sequence groups and [[chiitoitsu]] requires seven distinct pairs; neither has room for a triplet.
 
===Value===
 
Each yakuhai koutsu (triplet) is a separate yaku worth 1 han.  However, the value can be dramatically increased if the particular yakuhai koutsu is indicated as the [[Dora#Dora_order|dora]].  As dora, a hand is already guaranteed 4 han.


If a player's seat wind matches the round wind, a triplet of this wind counts as 2 han instead.  For example, the dealer (sitting east) can claim a triplet of the east wind during the east round. It satisfies two different 1-han yaku (yakuhai for seat wind and round wind).  Typically, this involves the east and south winds, as games normally involve the east round (tonkyoku) and south round (nankyoku) rounds.  Of course, this may apply to the west round (shaakyoku).
Incompatibilities arise for a few reasons. Firstly, the definitions of [[tanyao]], [[junchan]], and [[chinitsu]] eliminates the use of honor tiles all together. [[Pinfu]] and [[ryanpeikou]] each require four sequence groups and [[chiitoitsu]] requires seven distinct pairs, leaving no room for a triplet in those yaku.


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

Revision as of 17:41, 17 June 2015

Yakuhai
Type Yaku
Kanji 役牌
English Value tiles
Value 1 han per counted meld
Speed Very fast
Difficulty Very easy

Yakuhai 「役牌」 is a group of 1 han yaku scored for completing a group of certain honour tiles. Along with tanyao and riichi, these yaku are the easiest and most frequently occurring yaku in the game. The yakuhai awarded for wind tiles are unique in that the eligible tiles change over the course of the game. Dragon tile groups, on the other hand, count throughout the game.

Tile patterns

All that is required for yakuhai is a single triplet or quad of an eligible tile. The three dragon tiles are always eligible, but among the wind tiles, only the round wind and the player's seat wind are eligible. Guest winds are ineligible.

Yakuhai is not a single yaku but rather a collection of five yaku (one for each dragon, one for the round wind, and one for the seat wind). The five are all compatible with each other and they can be scored in any combination, except that all three dragon yakuhai will lead to daisangen instead. If the round wind and seat wind are the same, then both are scored for that group.

Examples

Agari:

The triplet of the green dragons satisfies the yaku regardless of seating and wind round.

Agari:

Here, the triplet of the east wind satisfies the yaku if this hand is scored during the east round, or by the dealer in any round. In the east round, the dealer will score the double east wind as 2 han.

Agari:

Each of the dragon quads scores 1 han for its own yakuhai. They are scored separately, and the fact that they are quads rather than triplets is irrelevant in the scoring. The additional pair of red dragons means that the hand scores shousangen in addition to, but not instead of, the double yakuhai.


Usage

Along with tanyao, yakuhai are among the easiest yaku to learn and use. As the honour tiles are generally weak due to their inability to form sequences, they are often discarded early in the hand. A player starting with a pair of eligible tiles can usually pon a third, instantly satisfying the yaku requirement. This ability makes this yaku exceptionally convenient for the completion of fast hands. Therefore, this yaku is also sometimes called an express ticket.

Players looking for a quick win will often hold lone yakuhai tiles a little longer than their tile efficiency would dictate, in hopes of getting a second and then calling (or drawing) a third to make a yakuhai. This is particularly true with hands that will have difficulty completing an open tanyao, either because they have lots of terminals or honours, or because open tanyao is not allowed.

Terminology

Yakupai Kanji Yakupai Kanji
East seat 自風 東 East round 場風 東
South seat 自風 南 South round 場風 南
West seat 自風 西 West round 場風 西
North seat 自風 北 Green dragon 役牌 發
Red dragon 役牌 中 White dragon 役牌 白

While yakuhai can be referred to collectively and it is rarely ambiguous, it is not uncommon to call them out individually, particularly when scoring a hand by announcing its yaku. The table to the right shows the written forms of most of the yakuhai.

Compatability

Main article: Yaku compatability

^ Ippatsu requires riichi to be of any use.

RCH DRI IPP SMO TAN PFU IPK ITT YAK SDJ SDO TOI SNA SNK CHA JUN RPK SSG HRO HON CHN CHI RIN HAI HOU CHK
YAK

Yakuhai essentially works with any yaku which has room or allows the use of honor tile groups, which gives it great versatility. Honitsu is one of the most effective combinations with at least one yakuhai group. Different groups of yakuhai tiles may be collected into one hand; and so, this yaku is compatible with itself. In particular, shousangen requires not just one, but two yakuhai.

Incompatibilities arise for a few reasons. Firstly, the definitions of tanyao, junchan, and chinitsu eliminates the use of honor tiles all together. Pinfu and ryanpeikou each require four sequence groups and chiitoitsu requires seven distinct pairs, leaving no room for a triplet in those yaku.

External links

Yakuhai in Japanese Wikipedia
Closed only Yaku - 1 han
Yaku - 1 han
Yaku - 2 han
Yaku - 3 han
Yaku - 6 han
Yakuman
Special
Optional
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