Keishiki tenpai: Difference between revisions

'''Keishiki tenpai''' {{kana|形式聴牌}}, also known as '''keitan''' or '''shaped tenpai''', is a [[tenpai]] hand with no [[yaku]]. Such a hand cannot win normally, but can still gain points from the tenpai settlements at [[ryuukyoku]]. It can also win if it gains a conditional yaku (those being [[haitei]], [[houtei]], [[rinshan]], [[chankan]], or [[menzen tsumo]]), but the former four are rare, and menzen tsumo

Usually, players do not aim for keikshiki tenpai until late into a hand, the third row of discards at the earliest.

While the point gain/loss from tenpai is relatively small, it can still matter, especially in close point races. There's also a small chance that [[haitei]] or [[houtei]] can let you win. Therefore, if pushing for keitan is safe, then do so. However, players must be wary of other players already in tenpai, so [[defense]] considerations are important. It is better to lose points via noten than to deal into a big hand.