Shanten

Shanten 「向聴」 is the number of tiles needed for reaching tenpai.

Examples:

• Iishanten (1-shanten)

• Ryanshanten (2-shanten)

• Sanshanten (3-shanten)

Open vs closed

Main article: Naki

Often, the decision to open the hand rests on the tiles needed and the yaku most conveniently acquired. In addition, the shanten count may play a factor too, especially at 1-shanten where a discarded tile could put the hand into tenpai.