Riichi: Difference between revisions

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A player may actually declare riichi with a [[Tenpai|noten hand]].  This is a '''noten riichi''' {{kana|ノテン立直}}, which is highly not advisable.  Of course, computer based play is usually programmed to prevent players from making such a riichi declaration.  If and when the hand results in [[ryuukyoku]], then it is required of the player to reveal the hand to show tenpai.  The noten riichi would naturally show noten; and it is subject to [[chombo]].  Likewise, chombo is applied if a win is called, as the hand's winning status would be verified only to reveal an invalid hand.  Players may escape this dubious position, when another player wins the hand or has committed a chombo penalty.  An [[abortive draw]] may also prevent the chombo penalty, except suucha riichi.
A player may actually declare riichi with a [[Tenpai|noten hand]].  This is a '''noten riichi''' {{kana|ノテン立直}}, which is highly not advisable.  Of course, computer based play is usually programmed to prevent players from making such a riichi declaration.  If and when the hand results in [[ryuukyoku]], then it is required of the player to reveal the hand to show tenpai.  The noten riichi would naturally show noten; and it is subject to [[chombo]].  Likewise, chombo is applied if a win is called, as the hand's winning status would be verified only to reveal an invalid hand.  Players may escape this dubious position, when another player wins the hand or has committed a chombo penalty.  An [[abortive draw]] may also prevent the chombo penalty, except suucha riichi.


=== Kan during riichi ===
=== Kan ===
When a riichi declarer holds three identical tiles and draws the fourth after the riichi announcement, he may form an [[Kan|ankan]] from these tiles instead of discarding the fourth. The hand composition and the possible winning tiles may not change: it is not allowed to declare kan if, for some possible winning tile, any of the three identical tiles may be interpreted as part of a [[shuntsu|sequence]] or part of the pair.
{{main|Kan#Kan during riichi}}


If a player does declare a kan illegally during riichi, and they call [[ron]] or the game goes to an [[ryuukyoku|exhaustive draw]], then they will be penalized with a [[chombo]] penalty for breaking the rule. If a player is not required to reveal their hand, or if another player wins, they will normally not be penalized.
Kan during riichi is a discretionary playPlayers must take not of the hand composition to determine, whether the kan is allowable or not. Disallowable calls either alters the hand's waiting pattern or alters the hand's composition, where tile groupings are changed. Improper calls are subject to chombo.
 
'''Example 1:'''
:{{#mjt:3444m778899s333z}} Illegal kan: {{#mjt:4m}} Legal kan: {{#mjt:3z}}.
 
It is not allowed to kan the fours. The manzu tiles may either be interpreted as a 3-4 [[Ryanmen|ryanmen]] wait and a 4-4 pair, or as a 4-man ankou with a 3-man [[tanki]] wait. A kan call would alter the wait just for a 3-man tankiFor a legal kan declaration, the three identical tiles would have to be an ankou in any interpretation. Had the player drawn a west wind, he would have been allowed to kan it.
 
'''Example 2:'''
:{{#mjt:111m222333p5678s}} Legal kan: {{#mjt:1m}} {{#mjt:2p}} or {{#mjt:3p}}.
 
In this example, none of the waits are affected by any of the kan possibilities.  The waiting tiles are completely unrelated to any of the existing triplets in this hand.  Therefore, it is acceptable to call kan during riichi here.
 
'''Example 3:'''
:{{#mjt:3335666p111456s}} Illegal kan: {{#mjt:36p}}
 
Here, the waits are 457p. A kan on 6p would remove the 7p wait, so it is obviously not permitted. A kan on the 3p would not change the waits, however, if the hand was won with 4p, the hand could be interpreted as:
 
:{{#mjt:33p}} {{#mjt:345p}} {{#mjt:666p}} {{#mjt:111s}} {{#mjt:456s}}
 
In this case, the 3p does not form a [[koutsu|triplet]], but rather a pair and a part of a sequence. A kan on the 3p would remove this potential interpretation of the hand, and is therefore forbidden.


=== Furiten ===
=== Furiten ===

Revision as of 00:09, 2 September 2015

Riichi
Type Yaku
Kanji 立直 or リーチ
English Ready hand
Value 1 han (closed only)
Speed Varies
Difficulty At discretion

Riichi 「立直」 or 「リーチ」 is the most commonly used yaku in the game. This yaku may apply to any closed hand and may be declared upon achieving tenpai. Due to its common usage, various specific game scenarios must be considered when using riichi, or facing opponents who have called riichi.

Unlike other yaku, the call for riichi operates at a player's discretion and is certainly not mandatory. Players may simply opt not to call riichi and retain the secrecy of a hand's tenpai status, using a tactic known as damaten. The decision for using riichi rests on some factors, primarily on need. Current point standings often factor towards a riichi call, especially when falling behind in points. On the other hand, point leaders may tend to be conservative to limit opportunities for other players to score hands directly.

Rules

When a player has a closed tenpai hand, the player may declare riichi. Doing so gains the hand 1 han. To declare riichi, a player announces riichi and discards a tile facing sideways in the discard pile. This is done to indicate when riichi was called. If that tile is claimed by another player for an open meld, then the next discard is turned sideways as a replacement.

Unless the first sideways discard is claimed for a win immediately, the riichi announcer now places a bet of 1,000 points on the table. This bet is collected by the next player to win a hand. Of course, a player must also have 1,000 points to begin with, assuming that a game ends with negative scores. Specific rulesets may handle differently what happens to the bet on a multiple win.

After a riichi declaration, the hand remains locked and unchangeable. In this state, the player is simply waiting for a winning tile to appear, either by draw or discard. However, a notable exception may involve calls for kan.

It is not allowed to declare riichi when less than four tiles remain in the wall. The player must be able to draw one more tile in an uninterrupted set of turns. For any hand, the absolute last chance to call riichi is when the player has a chance to score riichi, haitei, ippatsu, and mentsumo.

Noten riichi

A player may actually declare riichi with a noten hand. This is a noten riichi 「ノテン立直」, which is highly not advisable. Of course, computer based play is usually programmed to prevent players from making such a riichi declaration. If and when the hand results in ryuukyoku, then it is required of the player to reveal the hand to show tenpai. The noten riichi would naturally show noten; and it is subject to chombo. Likewise, chombo is applied if a win is called, as the hand's winning status would be verified only to reveal an invalid hand. Players may escape this dubious position, when another player wins the hand or has committed a chombo penalty. An abortive draw may also prevent the chombo penalty, except suucha riichi.

Kan

Kan during riichi is a discretionary play. Players must take not of the hand composition to determine, whether the kan is allowable or not. Disallowable calls either alters the hand's waiting pattern or alters the hand's composition, where tile groupings are changed. Improper calls are subject to chombo.

Furiten

During riichi, a player may be furiten. In this case, the riichi is considered to be a furiten riichi. Likewise, after calling riichi, a player may decline the option to call on a winning tile, whether it be by self-draw or by discard. However, if a win is declined, then the riichi declared hand is subject to furiten for the remainder of the hand. Thus, all tiles discarded after the riichi declaration, as indicated by the discarded sideways tile, are considered to be guaranteed safe tiles. While it is advised to declare a win on the first opportunity, some plays may require a player not to do so under very specific circumstances. Of course, such play requires caution.

Uradora

The benefits of uradora. [1]

When a riichi declarer wins, he may flip the tiles underneath the dora and kan dora indicators. These flipped ura dora indicators may increase the value of his hand.

Tochuu ryuukyoku

Tochuu ryuukyoku, or abortive draw, is in effect when suucha riichi occurs. In this case, three riichis have been called; and a fourth one is called in place. If the discarded tile is not claimed for a win, then the hand ends.

Open riichi

Open riichi 「オープン立直」 is an optional yaku, which is a modified version to riichi itself. The principle works exactly in the same way as the original riichi. However, there is an added bonus of 1-han attached, which is earned by revealing either the hand or the tile waits. This naturally eases everyone else's ability to defend against the riichi. As a further optional rule, yakuman may be awarded if any player actually plays into the open riichi. This is more or less a harsh penalty for playing into a revealed hand. Many official organizations and tournaments do not implement open riichi. It is more or less reserved for casual game or gambling setting.

Riichi based yaku

Two yaku are specifically associated with riichi: ippatsu and double riichi.

Ippatsu

Ippatsu 「一発」 is a separate yaku but is very dependent on riichi. Riichi is required to score ippatsu, as the yaku is defined as a riichi winning before the declarer's next discard. Tile calls, including kan, are able to nullify ippatsu by denying it.

Double riichi

Double riichi 「ダブルリーチ」 is a special case for riichi. Here, the player declares riichi on the first turn before one's own discard. No tile call may have interrupted the turn order before the declaration, where applicable. For the dealer, double riichi can never be interrupted. As the name implies, this yaku is worth 2 han instead of 1 han, as a bonus for the initial timing. With the added han value, a call for double riichi has a huge advantage over the other players in conjunction with the immediate speed and value compared to conventional riichi calls.

Compatibility

^ Ippatsu requires riichi to be of any use.

RCH DRI IPP SMO TAN PFU IPK ITT YAK SDJ SDO TOI SNA SNK CHA JUN RPK SSG HRO HON CHN CHI RIN HAI HOU CHK
RCH
DRI

Given the rules, riichi is compatible with all other yaku. Likewise, riichi and double riichi cannot be combined as they are essentially the same yaku. It just happens that double riichi is a specific instance of riichi. Per rule and definition, it is impossible to attain ippatsu without riichi.

Once again, the prospect for rinshan kaihou to work with riichi is dependent on the legality of the kan call during riichi. With computer interfaces, this rule may be enforced by disabling a player's ability to call the kan during this situation. However, with actual tiles, a player must be aware of this legality. Otherwise, chombo may be enforced instead.

Strategy

Calling riichi is an optional play. Therefore, players often have to make various considerations, when it comes to using riichi. Often, this depends on the discarded tiles, how early or late in the hand, the hand value, and/or the player's hand composition. If possible, a player may opt not to use riichi at all and instead employ the strategy of damaten.

External links

Riichi in Japanese Wikipedia