Japanese mahjong scoring rules: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:Scoring Table.png|right|350px]]
[[Image:Scoring Table.png|right|350px]]
[[Japanese mahjong]] features a very complex scoring system. Nearly every mahjong hand has a value in terms of '''han''' and '''fu''', the two scoring factors. The han and fu are plugged into an [[#Calculating basic points|equation]] to derive the value of the hand. Certain [[yaku]] are instead given a value of [[yakuman]] (or sometimes [[multiple yakuman|double yakuman]]), the highest scoring hands.
[[Japanese mahjong]] features a very complex scoring system. Nearly every mahjong hand has a value in terms of '''han''' and '''fu''', which are plugged into an equation [[#Calculating basic points|equation]] to derive the hand's points. Alternatively, a [[scoring table]] can be used to find a hand's point value directly.


Under usual rules, above 4 han, the score is capped. Fu become irrelevant and the hand is scored based solely on the han value. Since there are not a large number of possible hand values below 5 han, a [[scoring table]] is usually used, rather than calculating the values directly.
Generally, a game starts players with 25,000 points, with the goal of scoring at least 30,000 by the end for first place to declare victory. Both of these values can be changed; tournament play in particular often starts with 30,000 points.
 
By default, most games start players at 25,000 points, with the goal of scoring at least 30,000 to declare victory for the points leader. Both of these values are easily varied.  Any game can set the start and target scores to any desired but workable numbers.  Tournament play in particular often starts with 30,000 points.
 
Under the rarely-used [[aotenjou]] rules, there is no scoring cap, and every hand is evaluated for fu and han, regardless of value. This can result in absurdly high hand values.


== Scoring factors ==
== Scoring factors ==
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=== Han ===
=== Han ===


'''Han''' {{kana|飜}} is the main portion of scoring, as each [[yaku]] is assigned a value in terms of han.  Most of the yaku are valued at either 1 or 2, but the values, not counting yakuman hands, go as high as 6 han for a closed [[chinitsu]]. Some yaku are worth [[Kuisagari|one fewer han when open]], and some cannot be scored with an open hand, but many yaku are not scored the same regardless of whether the hand is open or closed.
'''Han''' {{kana|飜}} is the main portion of scoring. Each [[yaku]] is assigned a value in terms of han: most are valued at 1-2, going up to 6 han for closed [[chinitsu]]. Some yaku are worth -1 han with an open hand, and others cannot be scored at all with an open hand. Also, each [[dora]] in the hand grants +1 han.


Afterwards, the [[dora]] are counted.  Each [[dora]] tile in the hand counts as additional han. Dora are ordinarily worth 1 han each.  Additional dora indicators may increase that value.
Players are encouraged to know yaku, their han values, and how much points a given hand is worth. This knowledge may help with various game decisions, particularly when [[Riichi strategy|calling riichi]] or [[Betaori|abandoning the hand]].


In addition [[List of yaku|to knowing the yaku]], players are encouraged to know their han values.  This gives them greater awareness on potential point values of the hand. This knowledge may help aiding in various game decisions, particularly when [[Riichi strategy|calling riichi]] or [[Betaori|abandoning the hand]].
As a general rule, for every +1 han, the hand doubles in value until it reaches 4 han. There is a "[[mangan|cap]]" at 2000 base points (5 han; 4 han 40+ fu), after which the doubling stops. Once reaching the cap, fu no longer matters for points, and han generally is reduced in value.


=== Fu ===
=== Fu ===
{{main|Fu}}
{{main|Fu}}


'''Fu''' {{kana|符}} (''pronounced as foo'') takes the hand composition into consideration in terms of [[mentsu|tile groups]], [[machi|wait patterns]] and/or win method. Every hand begins with a default start value of 20 fu. To determine the final number of fu, the sources of fu are added up along with the base number and then rounded up to the next multiple of 10. The exception is the [[chiitoitsu]] yaku, which is fixed to 25 fu and is not rounded. While fu may be counted for hands worth 5 han or greater, it is not necessary.  At 5 han and above, the hand value is dependent only on the han count, and the fu count is ignored. When playing with the uncommon [[aotenjou]] rule, however, the fu count is used for hands of any han value.
'''Fu''' {{kana|符}} (''pronounced as foo'') takes the hand composition into consideration in terms of [[mentsu|tile groups]], [[machi|wait patterns]] and/or win method.
 
Every hand begins with a default of 20 fu. Any extra sources of fu are added, and then rounded up to the next multiple of 10. The exception is with [[chiitoitsu]] yaku, which is fixed to 25 fu (and not rounded).
 
Fu does not impact scoring for hands that have at least 5 han.


=== Yakuman ===
=== Yakuman ===
{{main|Yakuman}}
{{main|Yakuman}}


The highest-scoring combinations are the yakuman patterns. A hand completing a yakuman is not normally scored for han and fu, but depending on the rules, it may be possible to combine multiple yakuman for an even larger hand.
The highest-scoring combinations are the yakuman patterns. A hand completing a yakuman is not scored for han and fu, but depending on the rules, it may be possible to combine multiple yakuman for an even larger hand.
 
Under [[aotenjou]] rules, where there is no scoring limit, a yakuman is scored as a 13-han yaku.


== Scoring procedure ==
== Scoring procedure ==
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To determine the point value of a hand, the following procedure is used:
To determine the point value of a hand, the following procedure is used:
# If the hand is a [[List of yaku|yakuman]], then the hand scores 8,000 basic points.
# If the hand is a [[List of yaku|yakuman]], then the hand scores 8,000 basic points.
## If double yakuman are used, a double yakuman scores 16,000 basic points.
## If double yakuman are used, a double yakuman scores 16,000 basic points. If multiple (>2) yakuman are used, points are multiplied accordingly.
## If multiple yakuman are used, and multiple single and/or double yakuman are completed, their values are added together.
# Otherwise, determine all of the hand's valid [[yaku]].
# Otherwise, determine all of the hand's valid [[yaku]].
## Some [[Yaku compatibility|yaku combinations]] such as [[chanta]] + [[junchan]] are not compatible with each other.
## Some [[Yaku compatibility|yaku combinations]] such as [[chanta]] + [[junchan]] are not compatible with each other.
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In addition to the points for the hand, the winner is paid a small sum of points based on the number of honba counters on the table. Thus, as a hand is [[renchan|repeated]], its value goes up slowly.
In addition to the points for the hand, the winner is paid a small sum of points based on the number of honba counters on the table. Thus, as a hand is [[renchan|repeated]], its value goes up slowly.


== Oyakaburi ==
=== Oyakaburi ===
'''Oyakaburi''' 「親かぶり」 is when a non-dealer player wins by tsumo, causing the dealer to pay more than non-dealer players. This usually applies to a high value tsumo, as the dealer has to pay double of a non-dealer for tsumo payout. The effect of oyakaburi is bigger to dealer when the total value is high.
'''Oyakaburi''' 「親かぶり」 is when a non-dealer player wins by tsumo, causing the dealer to pay more than non-dealer players. This term usually refers to high value tsumos, which can cause the dealer to drop down placement.
 
== Scoring Table ==
{{Main|Scoring table}}
 
Since the han and fu equation does not change, it is possible to use a scoring table to score the hand. Simply calculate the hand's han and fu, then find the values on the table. See [[scoring table]] for the actual table.
 
For details on how to memorize scoring, see [[score table memorization]].


== End game score ==
== End game score ==
{{main|Final scores}}
{{main|Final scores}}


At the end of the game, the raw points are used to calculate the end game score. These are the two or three digit +/- numbers used to reflect a player's score. Instead of 30,000 points, a player's score may actually be displayed as +40.0. <!-- To this day, I don't know why this system exists-->
At the end of the game, the raw points are used to calculate the end game score. These are the two or three digit +/- numbers used to reflect a player's score. For example:
*A player ends the game with 40,000 points.
*The starting value of 25,000 points is subtracted, leaving +15,000 points.
*To make the values easier to read, 15,000 is divided by 1,000, for a value of +15.0 points.
*This +15 value may be affected by [[uma]] (a bonus/penalty for placing 1st/2nd/etc.).


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 21:05, 4 April 2024

Japanese mahjong features a very complex scoring system. Nearly every mahjong hand has a value in terms of han and fu, which are plugged into an equation equation to derive the hand's points. Alternatively, a scoring table can be used to find a hand's point value directly.

Generally, a game starts players with 25,000 points, with the goal of scoring at least 30,000 by the end for first place to declare victory. Both of these values can be changed; tournament play in particular often starts with 30,000 points.

Scoring factors

Han

Han 「飜」 is the main portion of scoring. Each yaku is assigned a value in terms of han: most are valued at 1-2, going up to 6 han for closed chinitsu. Some yaku are worth -1 han with an open hand, and others cannot be scored at all with an open hand. Also, each dora in the hand grants +1 han.

Players are encouraged to know yaku, their han values, and how much points a given hand is worth. This knowledge may help with various game decisions, particularly when calling riichi or abandoning the hand.

As a general rule, for every +1 han, the hand doubles in value until it reaches 4 han. There is a "cap" at 2000 base points (5 han; 4 han 40+ fu), after which the doubling stops. Once reaching the cap, fu no longer matters for points, and han generally is reduced in value.

Fu

Fu 「符」 (pronounced as foo) takes the hand composition into consideration in terms of tile groups, wait patterns and/or win method.

Every hand begins with a default of 20 fu. Any extra sources of fu are added, and then rounded up to the next multiple of 10. The exception is with chiitoitsu yaku, which is fixed to 25 fu (and not rounded).

Fu does not impact scoring for hands that have at least 5 han.

Yakuman

The highest-scoring combinations are the yakuman patterns. A hand completing a yakuman is not scored for han and fu, but depending on the rules, it may be possible to combine multiple yakuman for an even larger hand.

Scoring procedure

Calculating basic points

To determine the point value of a hand, the following procedure is used:

  1. If the hand is a yakuman, then the hand scores 8,000 basic points.
    1. If double yakuman are used, a double yakuman scores 16,000 basic points. If multiple (>2) yakuman are used, points are multiplied accordingly.
  2. Otherwise, determine all of the hand's valid yaku.
    1. Some yaku combinations such as chanta + junchan are not compatible with each other.
  3. Count the han based on the yaku.
  4. Count any number of dora to the han count.
  5. If the han count is 5 or more, then counting fu is no longer necessary. The hand is scored according to its han value:
    1. 5 han: mangan hand worth 2,000 base points.
    2. 6-7 han: haneman hand worth 3,000 base points.
    3. 8-10 han: baiman hand worth 4,000 base points.
    4. 11-12 han: sanbaiman hand worth 6,000 base points.
  6. If the han count is 4 or less, then count fu.
    1. If the hand is not seven pairs, round the fu up to the nearest 10.
  7. To get the base points, multiply the fu value by four, and then double it for each han (fu × 2(2 + han)).
  8. If playing with kiriage mangan, round a 1,920-point hand up to a 2,000-point mangan.
  9. In any case, if the base points value would be above 2,000 for a hand with 4 or fewer han, it is instead a 2,000-point mangan.

Payment multipliers

After determining the basic points, multiply based on the status as dealer and no-dealer as well as the win by ron or tsumo.

  • When a non-dealer wins by tsumo, the player is paid 1 × basic points by the other non-dealers, and 2 × basic points by the dealer.
  • When a non-dealer wins by ron, the discarding player pays the winner 4 × basic points.
  • When the dealer goes out by tsumo, the player is paid 2 × basic points from all other players.
  • When the dealer goes out by ron, the discarding player pays the winner 6 × basic points.

Each value to be paid is rounded up to the nearest 100.

The numbers for a ron payment are obtained by having the ronned player pay every other players points. Because rounding is done after this reassignment of points, it is sometimes the case that a win by tsumo is worth a few hundred more points than a win by ron.

Honba

In addition to the points for the hand, the winner is paid a small sum of points based on the number of honba counters on the table. Thus, as a hand is repeated, its value goes up slowly.

Oyakaburi

Oyakaburi 「親かぶり」 is when a non-dealer player wins by tsumo, causing the dealer to pay more than non-dealer players. This term usually refers to high value tsumos, which can cause the dealer to drop down placement.

Scoring Table

Since the han and fu equation does not change, it is possible to use a scoring table to score the hand. Simply calculate the hand's han and fu, then find the values on the table. See scoring table for the actual table.

For details on how to memorize scoring, see score table memorization.

End game score

At the end of the game, the raw points are used to calculate the end game score. These are the two or three digit +/- numbers used to reflect a player's score. For example:

  • A player ends the game with 40,000 points.
  • The starting value of 25,000 points is subtracted, leaving +15,000 points.
  • To make the values easier to read, 15,000 is divided by 1,000, for a value of +15.0 points.
  • This +15 value may be affected by uma (a bonus/penalty for placing 1st/2nd/etc.).

External links

Japanese mahjong scoring rules in Japanese Wikipedia