Yaku

Yaku 「役」 are specific hand patterns or conditions needed in order to score a hand. In a sense, they are synonymous to "poker hands". Yet, unlike poker hands, yaku are worth specific "han values"; and various yaku may be combined together into one hand. basic mahjong knowledge involves learning the yaku, but it is not expected of new players to know them.

Most importantly, every hand must include at least one yaku, in order to count as a winning hand.

Han

Main article: Scoring

Each yaku is assigned han values. Most have static values, regardless of the hand being closed or open. However, some decrease in han value while being open. Furthermore, some also require hands to remain closed in order to count. For hands to maximize the total han value, different yaku may be combined into a single hand.

Open vs closed

Main article: Kuisagari

Various yaku are affected by the hand's state of being open or closed. After using the different tile calls, a yaku may be affected in terms of han value or even validity. Various yaku, and even yakuman, are restricted to be closed only. Others, they remain valid but their value is decreased by 1-han. As for the rest, it is irrelevant whether the hand is open or closed.