Kan: Difference between revisions

'''Kan''' {{kana|カン}} is a special [[tile call]]. This call forms a [[mentsu|tile grouping]] of four identical tiles, called '''kantsu''' {{kana|槓子}}. Just like all tile calls, it is optional.

While it appears as a four-of-a-kind, the tiles used for the kantsu actually function as a [[koutsu|three-of-a-kind]] plus one extra tile. Therefore, the set counts towards the [[Yaku#Triplet|triplet-based yaku]], such as [[toitoi]] and [[sanankou]].  

After declaring kan, the player is required to take an extra tile draw from the [[dead wall]]. This drawn tile is called the '''[[rinshanpai]]''', or '''dead wall draw'''. In addition, when declaring kan, another [[dora|dora indicator]] is revealed.

Kan works similarly to other [[tile calls]], but it comes with special properties and rules. These rules apply when a player possesses or gains possession of four of the same tile; and then the player makes the kan call.

The call for kan reveals additional dora in the form of [[dora|kandora]]. The timing of this reveal is variable, depending on [[Dora variations|the rule set and/or game platform]].  

*The simplest rule is to immediately reveal dora after kan. This rule would place to kan reveal right after step 2.

Kan can occur under three different occasions; and thus, there are three types of kan based on drawing order:

*All four tile types drawn (Ankan; closed kan)

Tiles called for "kan" are set aside.  In most cases, they are called for open tile groups.  However, one arrangement in particular still indicates a closed hand ("menzen").

The first arrangement is preferred, but the second arrangement is also acceptable.

In this example, kan may be called twice in a row after drawing '''1-man'''. Both the '''1-man''' and '''south''' may each be called for ''shominkan'', before making a discard.  Naturally, this must be done one at a time, following the proper procedure for kan.

After [[naki|taking a discarded tile]], a player cannot call kan, even if a player has the tile(s) available in hand to do so. The next opportunity to call kan comes after the next tile draw. This does not apply when a daiminkan is called, as the kan causes a tile to be drawn immediately.

This abortive draw exists due to how the [[dead wall]] works. Each time a kan is declared, a tile is drawn from the dead wall. The dead wall is 14 tiles large, with 10 tiles reserved as [[dora]] indicators, leaving 4 tiles left for kan calls. After four kans, players would be unable to declare kan again, as the fifth kan would draw from the dora indicators. So, unless someone is in tenpai for suukantsu, the game ends immediately after the fourth kan, to avoid the issue of "players not being able to declare kan".

 

In general, tiles called for kan are still applied as triplets.  Any call for kan does not interfere with any yaku dependent on triplets, such as [[sanankou]] or [[yakuhai]]. Four [[List of yaku|yaku]] are centered around kan calls.  One applies a win via the kan draw; and the other is applied to added kans.  Then the last two are composed of kans.