Riichi strategy: Difference between revisions

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*If an opponent at iishanten decides to fold, great - one less hand to worry about.
*If an opponent at iishanten decides to fold, great - one less hand to worry about.


Due to these advantagse, a player who declares riichi first will exert pressure on the other players. Other players may choose to give up their hands. Of course, this is not guaranteed, especially if the point standings force some other players to take on offense at all costs. However, you'll still have the advantages listed above.
Due to these advantages, a player who declares riichi first will exert pressure on the other players. Other players may choose to give up their hands. Of course, this is not guaranteed, especially if the point standings force some other players to take on offense at all costs. However, you'll still have the advantages listed above.


Conversely, a chasing riichi (riichi after another player has declared riichi) is weaker, for the same reasons.
Conversely, a chasing riichi (riichi after another player has declared riichi) is weaker, for the same reasons.
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{{main|Kyoku}}
{{main|Kyoku}}


Generally, in the first half of the entire game, a player's exact placement is not as large of a concern. There are many opportunities to make up differences: a player who's ahead can hardly afford to rest on their laurels, while players who are behind are not as desperate. Thus, situations tend to be more "general" - riichi's increased reward is usually appreciated, its intimidation effect more often felt, and it is more often a good idea. In other words, in the earlier half, going for sheer points is often more important than going for placement.
Generally, in the first half of the entire game, a player's exact placement is not as large of a concern. There are many opportunities to make up differences: a player who's ahead can hardly afford to rest on their laurels, while players who are behind are not as desperate. Thus, situations tend to be more "general" - riichi's increased reward is usually appreciated, its intimidation effect more often felt, and it is more often a good idea. In other words, in the earlier half, going for sheer points can be more important than going for placement.


When the game is closer to its end (generally around the second half, but may be earlier if particularly large wins and losses have been going on), point standing becomes more of a concern. If the game could end on the next round, gaining +1000 points to go from 3rd to 2nd becomes much more valuable. At this stage, players who are ahead may not want to riichi, as the risks are amplified, among other considerations.
When the game is closer to its end (generally around the second half, but may be earlier if particularly large wins and losses have been going on), point standing becomes more of a concern. If the game could end on the next round, gaining +1000 points to go from 3rd to 2nd becomes much more valuable. At this stage, players who are ahead may not want to riichi, as the risks are amplified, among other considerations.
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When the game is closer to its end, point standing can affect the decision to declare riichi or not.
When the game is closer to its end, point standing can affect the decision to declare riichi or not.
*Players that are ahead will be more cautious. Late in the game, increasing their lead will not matter as much, while the risk of deal-in matters more. Meanwhile, players who are behind will want to riichi to catch up. Players in the middle should analyze their own specific situations to determine if riichi is right.
*Players that are ahead will be more cautious. Late in the game, increasing their lead will not matter as much, while the risk of deal-in matters more. Meanwhile, players who are behind will want to riichi to catch up. Players in the middle should analyze their own specific situations to determine if riichi is right.
*The 1000 points used to declare riichi could cause you to drop down placement. If this is the case during all last or possibly South 3, you probably shouldn't riichi, especially if you have another yaku.
*The 1000 points used to declare riichi could cause you to drop down placement. If this is the case during all last (or possibly South 3), you probably shouldn't riichi, especially if you have another yaku.
*If a damaten win and riichi win would cause you to end up in the same rank, you should dama.
*If a damaten win and riichi win would cause you to end up in the same rank, you should dama.


=== Winning chance ===
=== Winning chance ===


Pressing players to defend will lower your chance of winning. Assuming a dama hand can ron, declaring riichi will generally lower your winrate by about 40%. Therefore, if winning matters and the extra score does not matter you should dama. Also, with valuable hands (mangan/haneman or above), dama is usually better.
Pressing players to defend will lower your chance of winning. Assuming a dama hand has yaku (i.e. can ron), declaring riichi will generally lower your winrate by about 40%. Therefore, if winning matters and the extra score does not matter you should dama. Also, with valuable hands (mangan/haneman or above), dama is usually better.


A hand which has an extremely poor wait (e.g single tile wait on dora, or a [[hell wait]]) are so bad that riichi doesn't reduce their chance of winning by much.
A hand which has an extremely poor wait (e.g single tile wait on dora) are so bad that riichi doesn't reduce their chance of winning by much.


== Oikake riichi ==
== Oikake riichi ==
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