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For every hand, one player is designated as the '''oya''' {{kana|親}}, or dealer.  At all instances, this player is also [[Jikaze|seated]] as east. During the game, player is denoted as the dealer with the dealer marker; or, the dealer marker notes the original dealer, while some other means to mark the dealer is used.   
The '''oya''' {{kana|親}}, or dealer, is the player in the [[Jikaze|East seat]]. The dealer gets special benefits when winning a hand. During the game, player is denoted as the dealer with the dealer marker. Alternatively, the dealer marker notes the original dealer, while some other means to mark the dealer is used.   


== Dealer rotation ==
== Dealer rotation ==
During the course of the game, the dealer position rotates among the four players. This can occur in two ways:
During the course of the game, the dealer position rotates among the four players. The dealer position rotates when:
# A player other than the dealer wins a hand.
# A player other than the dealer wins a hand.
# The dealer fails to attain tenpai at [[ryuukyoku]] (exhaustive draw).
# The dealer fails to attain [[tenpai]] at [[ryuukyoku]] (exhaustive draw).


Seldom, a game can end without the dealer position ever changing. Notably, this scenario can occur if a player's points [[Tobi|fall below zero]] beforehand.  Of course, some [[Scoring_variations#Tobi|rules]] allow continuance of the game, despite the scores.
Once every player gets to be a dealer once, the round wind changes. In a [[hanchan]], everyone gets 2 rounds at the dealer seat.


== Dealer conditions ==
== Useful Info ==
The dealer seat has some benefits:
When a player is the dealer, the following properties apply:


* If the dealer wins the hand, the wind seating does not rotate.
* The dealer draws first, which gives a first turn advantage.
* If the dealer is [[tenpai]] at [[ryuukyoku]] (exhaustive draw), the wind seating does not rotate.
* The dealer's hand value is worth 50% more (or approximately 50% more) than non-dealer's.
* The dealer's hand value is worth exactly or approximately 50% more than that of non-dealer hands.
* If the dealer winds the hand, or is tenpai at exhaustive draw, the wind seating does not rotate. Thus, the game is extended by an extra hand - this is known as [[renchan]].
* The dealer is always the first to grab four dealt tiles.
* The dealer pays x2 more than normal when another player wins via [[tsumo]]. (Dealers do not pay more when [[ron|dealing in]].)
* The dealer always draws first and begins the hand.


Ideally, players greatly benefit by retaining the dealer position, an event known as [[renchan]], in order to maximize point gains. Often, games may be won or lost regarding the dealer position.
Due to the +50% point modifier, players greatly benefit from being the dealer. Games are often decided by dealer turns. A lucky player may rise from 4th all the way to 1st through consecutive renchans.


Naturally, other players may force wind rotation by winning the hand themselves. Yet, at times, it may be beneficial for the dealer to simply concede the dealer position. Ideally, the dealer would prefer to let the wind seating rotate either when other players win points off of each other directly (by ron), other players win by tsumo using cheap hands, or being noten at ryuukyoku to minimize point losses.
However, being the dealer is not always helpful. When you have a large lead, you may want to avoid winning as the dealer to avoid extending the game. After all, for every renchan, the other players get a chance to build a [[yakuman]] and ruin your lead. Otherwise, the only disadvantage to the dealer seat is when other players [[tsumo]]. The extra points lost from tsumo can be significant during close games or with big hands.


[[Rule_variations#Agari|Variation]] on the rotation rule may be applied depending on the requirement. Sometimes, the rule setting may require the dealer to win the hand, instead of merely achieving tenpai at ryuukyoku.  This is to increase the pressure on the dealer to win hands.  This also prevents the dealer from elongating the game by attaining additional hands by being tenpai at ryuukyoku.
==Rule variations==
There are two main [[Rule_variations#Agari|variation]]s regarding the dealer's [[renchan]]:


The dealer is only disadvantaged when non-dealer players win by [[tsumo]]. In this case, the dealer pays approximately twice as much as the other players. This is significant during close games or on big hands, where the point differences may be adequate enough for a [[gyakuten|place change]].
*Some rules only allow the dealer to renchan when winning a hand. This means that, when a dealer is tenpai at exhaustive draw, the winds rotate anyways.
*In the [[oorasu|last round]], dealers may or may not be allowed to decline a renchan.  
**Some rules let the last dealer choose to end the game when they win the hand.  
**Other rules end the game when a 1st-place dealer wins, regardless of whenever they want to or not.
**Other rules do not let the dealer to end the game. The game ends when the dealer does not win.


[[Category:Game rules]]
[[Category:Game rules]]
[[Category:Terminology]]
[[Category:Terminology]]

Latest revision as of 02:12, 8 April 2024

The oya 「親」, or dealer, is the player in the East seat. The dealer gets special benefits when winning a hand. During the game, player is denoted as the dealer with the dealer marker. Alternatively, the dealer marker notes the original dealer, while some other means to mark the dealer is used.

Dealer rotation

During the course of the game, the dealer position rotates among the four players. The dealer position rotates when:

  1. A player other than the dealer wins a hand.
  2. The dealer fails to attain tenpai at ryuukyoku (exhaustive draw).

Once every player gets to be a dealer once, the round wind changes. In a hanchan, everyone gets 2 rounds at the dealer seat.

Useful Info

When a player is the dealer, the following properties apply:

  • The dealer draws first, which gives a first turn advantage.
  • The dealer's hand value is worth 50% more (or approximately 50% more) than non-dealer's.
  • If the dealer winds the hand, or is tenpai at exhaustive draw, the wind seating does not rotate. Thus, the game is extended by an extra hand - this is known as renchan.
  • The dealer pays x2 more than normal when another player wins via tsumo. (Dealers do not pay more when dealing in.)

Due to the +50% point modifier, players greatly benefit from being the dealer. Games are often decided by dealer turns. A lucky player may rise from 4th all the way to 1st through consecutive renchans.

However, being the dealer is not always helpful. When you have a large lead, you may want to avoid winning as the dealer to avoid extending the game. After all, for every renchan, the other players get a chance to build a yakuman and ruin your lead. Otherwise, the only disadvantage to the dealer seat is when other players tsumo. The extra points lost from tsumo can be significant during close games or with big hands.

Rule variations

There are two main variations regarding the dealer's renchan:

  • Some rules only allow the dealer to renchan when winning a hand. This means that, when a dealer is tenpai at exhaustive draw, the winds rotate anyways.
  • In the last round, dealers may or may not be allowed to decline a renchan.
    • Some rules let the last dealer choose to end the game when they win the hand.
    • Other rules end the game when a 1st-place dealer wins, regardless of whenever they want to or not.
    • Other rules do not let the dealer to end the game. The game ends when the dealer does not win.
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