Kawa: Difference between revisions

'''Kawa''' {{kana|河}} (lit. "river", sometimes referred to as the "pond") is the discard pile. It helps provide players with information regarding other players' hands. For [[defense|defensive play]], players rely on the discards to determine [[genbutsu|safe tiles]]. It can also be used to determine probable hands of other players, especially when particular [[yaku]] are sought for.

In most non-Japanese variants of mahjong, discarded tiles are simply placed in a disorganized pile at the center of the playing area. However, for Japanese mahjong, each player is in charge of maintaining one's own discard pile. The customary rule of etiquette suggests discarded tiles to be arranged in rows of six, but it isn't mandatory under casual settings. Under more formal settings, the customary rule may be required.