World Riichi Championship rules
The World Riichi Rules consist of combined rulesets applied by the EMA and contemporary Japanese rules. The rules document is authored by Sylvain Malbec and is accepted by the EMA, JPML, and the rest of the tournament participants. The rules were applied to the World Riichi Championship.
| World Riichi Championship rules ruleset | |
|---|---|
| Kuitan, atozuke | Ari-Ari |
| Starting points | 30,000 |
| Ending points (Target) |
30,000 |
| Negative score | Game end |
| Oka (total ante) |
0 |
| Uma (placement bonus) |
+15/+5 Modified for ties |
| Renchan setting | Tenpai-renchan |
| Abortive draws | None |
Summary
The rules apply regular Japanese mahjong rules with some notable differences. The following organizations and their rulesets were put into consideration:
- European Mahjong Association (EMA)
- 101 Kyougi Renmei
- Japan Professional Mahjong League (JPML)
- Korean Mahjong League (KML)
- Mu Mahjong μ!
- Nihon Pro Mahjong (NPM)
- Real Mahjong Unit (RMU)
- Saikouisen
- United States Professional Mahjong League (USPML)
Basic rules
Basic rules to the game are essentially the same. Game mechanics regarding turn order, tile calls, and yaku are inherently the same. Rule differences are generally applicable using ari (on) or nashi (off) on various rule settings and variations. Any major differences are listed.
Kuitan
Kuitan, or open tanyao, is allowed in the WRC rules. During the planning stages of the first WRC, there were initial plans to prohibit kuitan at the behest of the EMA. However, after some discussion, the stakeholders chose to allow kuitan instead.
Tochuu ryuukyoku
Abortive draws are completely omitted from the tournament.
Uma
The uma for the tournament uses 「+15 / +5 / -5 / -15」. However, in the event of a tie between players, then the uma is adjusted to accommodate the tie. At the end, the end game score is calculated as follows:
Session score = ((points – 30,000) / 1,000) + uma
Yakuman
Every yakuman is counted as single yakuman. Plus, the maximum points awarded for any hand is capped as that of a single yakuman.
Kazoe yakuman
Normally, a hand worth 13 han or more is classed as a yakuman. However, this value is reduced to sanbaiman.