Iishanten: Difference between revisions

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(Additional descriptions of all iishanten types.)
m (→‎Main four types: all of the rests can be used as individual word so left as-is.)
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'''Iishanten''' is the state of the hand, where one tile is needed to achieve [[tenpai]].  This is the [[Shanten|closest state of a hand]] to tenpai.
'''Iishanten''' is the state of the hand, where one tile is needed to achieve [[tenpai]].  This is the [[Shanten|closest state of a hand]] to tenpai.


==Main four types==
== Main four types ==
The four types are based on the possible configurations regarding complete and incomplete [[tile groups]].
The four types are based on the possible configurations regarding complete and incomplete [[tile groups]].


===Yojouhai iishanen===
=== Yojouhai ===
{{#mjt:234m4578s22567p1z}}
{{#mjt:234m4578s22567p1z}}


'''Floating tile''' '''iishanten''' describes the case where there are two complete groups and a pair, with two incomplete groups waiting to be completed. One tile (the East tile in the example hand) does not contribute to any group, and so is said to be floating.
'''Floating tile''' '''iishanten''' describes the case where there are two complete groups and a pair, with two incomplete groups waiting to be completed. One tile (the East tile in the example hand) does not contribute to any group, and so is said to be floating.


===Kanzen iishanten===
=== Kanzenke ===
{{#mjt:234m44578s22567p}}
{{#mjt:234m44578s22567p}}


'''Complete iishanten''' is an improvement on floating iishanten when all tiles in the hand contribute to the iishanten. In the example hand, the 445s group now has three tiles working together. This hand is also an example of '''perfect iishanten'''. Perfect iishanten is a special type of complete iishanten that guarantees a ryanmen wait. If we draw 369s2p, we can discard 4s for a multisided wait. If we draw 4s, we discard 5s.
'''Complete iishanten''' is an improvement on floating iishanten when all tiles in the hand contribute to the iishanten. In the example hand, the 445s group now has three tiles working together. This hand is also an example of '''perfect iishanten'''. Perfect iishanten is a special type of complete iishanten that guarantees a ryanmen wait. If we draw 369s2p, we can discard 4s for a multisided wait. If we draw 4s, we discard 5s.


===Atamanai iishanten===
=== Atamanai ===
{{#mjt:123m456789p2378s}}
{{#mjt:123m456789p2378s}}


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With an ankou in the hand, the above shape becomes even more advantageous.  The completion of either of the ryanmen can bring about pinfu by discarding one tile from the ankou and use the remaining two as the pair.
With an ankou in the hand, the above shape becomes even more advantageous.  The completion of either of the ryanmen can bring about pinfu by discarding one tile from the ankou and use the remaining two as the pair.


===Kuttsuki iishanten===
=== Kuttsuki ===
{{#mjt:234678m37s22567p}}
{{#mjt:234678m37s22567p}}


'''Sticky iishanten''' is identified by three complete groups, one pair, and two floating tiles (37s in the example above). This type of iishanten tends to have the largest range of acceptable tiles to bring it to tenpai (any souzu tile in the example). However, the downside is that many of these draws may leave a narrow, non-ryanmen wait.
'''Sticky iishanten''' is identified by three complete groups, one pair, and two floating tiles (37s in the example above). This type of iishanten tends to have the largest range of acceptable tiles to bring it to tenpai (any souzu tile in the example). However, the downside is that many of these draws may leave a narrow, non-ryanmen wait.
== Chiitoitsu ==
== Chiitoitsu ==
{{main|Chiitoitsu}}
{{main|Chiitoitsu}}

Revision as of 06:50, 2 October 2023

Iishanten is the state of the hand, where one tile is needed to achieve tenpai. This is the closest state of a hand to tenpai.

Main four types

The four types are based on the possible configurations regarding complete and incomplete tile groups.

Yojouhai

Floating tile iishanten describes the case where there are two complete groups and a pair, with two incomplete groups waiting to be completed. One tile (the East tile in the example hand) does not contribute to any group, and so is said to be floating.

Kanzenke

Complete iishanten is an improvement on floating iishanten when all tiles in the hand contribute to the iishanten. In the example hand, the 445s group now has three tiles working together. This hand is also an example of perfect iishanten. Perfect iishanten is a special type of complete iishanten that guarantees a ryanmen wait. If we draw 369s2p, we can discard 4s for a multisided wait. If we draw 4s, we discard 5s.

Atamanai

Headless iishanten is a hand where we have three complete groups, no pair, and one or two incomplete groups. An ideal headless hand will have two ryanmen groups waiting to be completed. If either of these groups completes, then the hand becomes tenpai with a tanki wait. If we pair one of the four tiles, then we can discard the other tile in its incomplete group to get a ryanmen wait on the other incomplete group.

With an ankou in the hand, the above shape becomes even more advantageous. The completion of either of the ryanmen can bring about pinfu by discarding one tile from the ankou and use the remaining two as the pair.

Kuttsuki

Sticky iishanten is identified by three complete groups, one pair, and two floating tiles (37s in the example above). This type of iishanten tends to have the largest range of acceptable tiles to bring it to tenpai (any souzu tile in the example). However, the downside is that many of these draws may leave a narrow, non-ryanmen wait.

Chiitoitsu

Chiitoitsu achieves 1-shanten, when the developing hand is at five pairs. That potentially leaves three individual tiles waiting to be paired. At least one of the tiles could be occupied as part of a triplet, which actually reduces possible pairing tiles down to two.

Kokushi musou

External links

Video covering iishanten shapes