Score table memorization
Despite the size of the scoring table, it is possible to memorize the table, in a manner similar to that of a multiplication table. However, any attempt to learn the scoring table is fruitless without knowing particular prerequisites, like basic game procedures, game objectives (tenpai and defense), and the yaku. As a recommendation, scoring is among the last of the more basic concepts of the game for any newer player to learn.
Overview
Learning the scoring table requires the division of the table into sections. Once a section of the scoring table is learned, then a player can move on to the next section and memorize that one. It is an ongoing process, until the entire table is learned.
Counting Han
Counting han is simple memorization of the yaku and their han values. As a reminder, various yaku may stack and combine with other yaku. For each time a hand is scored, it becomes a matter of counting off the applied han.
Impossible scores
There are no scoring values assigned for 1 han and 20 fu, 1 han and 25 fu, and 2 han and 25 fu (via mentsumo).
- 1 han and 20 fu
- The hand must be a closed pinfu hand. However, it gets paired with mentsumo; so it defaults as 2 han and 20 fu.
- 1 han and 25 fu
- Chiitoitsu is by default worth 2 han and 25 fu. No other yaku worth 1-han can be set at 25 fu.
- 2 han and 25 fu (tsumo)
- Chiitoitsu with mentsumo would be 3 han and 25 fu.
Mangan and more
| Dealer | Non-Dealer | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Ron | Tsumo† | Ron | Tsumo |
| Mangan | 12000 | 4000 | 8000 | 4000/2000 |
| Haneman | 18000 | 6000 | 12000 | 6000/3000 |
| Baiman | 24000 | 8000 | 16000 | 8000/4000 |
| Sanbaiman | 36000 | 12000 | 24000 | 12000/6000 |
| Yakuman | 48000 | 16000 | 32000 | 16000/8000 |
| † Dealer tsumo applies to all non-dealer players | ||||
For mangan and beyond, a point cap is applied, such that fu is not necessary. It can still be counted; but for scoring purposes, it is not counted due to the cap on the basic points calculation. For example, a 5 han 40 fu hand is valued the same as a 5 han 80 fu hand.
So, this section of the scoring table easy to remember. For easier memorization, these higher values possess specific names, namely: haneman, baiman, sanbaiman, and yakuman. Likewise, they are worth factors more than mangan.
- Haneman = 50% more than mangan
- Baiman = 100% more than mangan (double)
- Sanbaiman = 150% more than mangan
- Yakuman = 200% more than mangan (four times)
The lowest score for mangan is 8000 points for a non-dealer by ron. The dealer value is 4000 points more, or 50% more, at 12000 points. For the tsumo values, the 8000 points for mangan ron is cut in half. That amount is paid by the dealer. The remaining 4000 points is again split in half for the other players to pay 2000 points each. For the dealer value, it is simply taking the 12,000 points normally scored by ron and dividing it into 3 for the other players to pay.
Counting fu
To count fu, a player must understand how fu is generated. In essence, fu comes from the hand's composition and winning method.
The convenience of counting fu rests on rounding up. Even a fu count of 32 fu gets rounded up to 40 fu. So, when counting fu, it is helpful to note when the count crosses a multiple of 10.
Common values: 30 and 40 fu
Among the hands valued at 1 han to 4 han, the most common scores involve 30 fu or 40 fu. So, among the han-fu combinations, this is the most logical section to start.
Naturally, the first score to consider involves 1 han and 30 fu. Of all the hand values possible, this is the smallest. While the 20 fu values exist, 1 han and 20 fu does not, as no hand can be valued as such.
Point equivalences
Various point values are equivalent among the different han and fu combinations. By recognizing the equivalences, this eases the task of memorization, when one section or column of the scoring table is learned.
In general, if a fu count is divisible by 2 and a fu column of that result exists, then the points are equivalent to a han-fu combination of 1+ han. For example, 3 han and 60 fu is equivalent to 4 han and 30 fu. Both han and fu combinations score 7700 points for non-dealer ron, 11600 for dealer ron, 2000/3900 for non-dealer tsumo, and finally 3900 from all for dealer tsumo. Various other similar scoring equivalences exist throughout the scoring table. In a sense, as long as one learns the 25 fu, 30 fu, and 40 fu score columns, then the rest of the fu columns fall on simple equivalency. The 20 fu column is essentially the 40 fu column anyways.
20 fu and 40 fu
Hands with 20 fu only applies to pinfu with mentsumo. This yaku is defined as a hand that does not earn fu. Although, it still earns the 10 fu with closed ron. Otherwise, the hand does not produce fu by any other means.
25 fu and 50 fu
Values associated the 25 fu are the "chiitoitsu" numbers. Due to the uniqueness of 25 fu applied for chiitoitsu, it can be helpful to learn these values separately. After all, it is associated to only one yaku.
Now, 25 fu can be doubled to 50 fu. So, knowing the "chiitoitsu" point values, one would already know the 50 fu column.
| Position | 2 han 25 fu = 1 han 50 fu | 3 han 25 fu = 2 han 50 fu | 4 han 25 fu = 3 han 50 fu |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-dealer tsumo Non-dealer ron |
800/400 1600 |
1600/800 3200 |
3200/1600 6400 |
| Dealer tsumo Dealer ron |
800 2400 |
1600 4800 |
3200 9600 |
Continuing the equivalences place the point values at mangan.
30 fu and 60 fu
40 fu and 80 fu
50 fu and 100 fu
70 fu and more
This portion of the scoring table is the least used. To score 70+ fu, the hand needs the large amount of fu generated by closed kan involving terminal or honor tiles. Otherwise, the hand may also involve any multiple kan calls. Furthermore, the 70+ fu scores only apply to 1 or 2 han hands. With 3 han or more, the value is already set to mangan.
| Dealer | Non-Dealer | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 110 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 110 | |
| 1 han | 1200 3400 |
1300 3900 |
1500 4400 |
1600 4800 |
1800 5300 |
600/1200 2300 |
700/1300 2600 |
800/1500 2900 |
800/1600 3200 |
900/1800 3600 |
| 2 han | 2300 6800 |
2600 7700 |
2900 8700 |
3200 9600 |
3600 10600 |
1200/2300 4500 |
1300/2600 5200 |
1500/2900 5800 |
1600/3200 6400 |
1800/3600 7100 |
Point equivalences continue to apply for the 40 fu and 80 fu column, as well as the 50 fu and 100 fu column. The columns for 70 fu, 90 fu, and 110 fu all produce unique point values not found elsewhere on the scoring table. Therefore, those may have to be memorized on their own. However, they do not occur frequently; so it is best and practical to learn these values after learning the rest of the scoring table.