Score table memorization

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Despite the size of the scoring table, it is possible to memorize the table, in a manner similar to memorizing a multiplication table. However, any attempt to learn the scoring table is fruitless without knowing particular prerequisites, like basic game procedures and the yaku with their han values. As a recommendation, scoring is among the last of the more basic concepts of the game for any newer player to learn.

Overview

The scoring table can be subdivided into sections. Once a section of the scoring table is learned, then a player can move on to the next section and memorize that one. It is an ongoing process, until the entire table is learned. As it turns out, some sections share similar point values as other sections.

Counting Han

Counting han is simple memorization of the yaku and their han values. As a reminder, various yaku may stack and combine with other yaku. For each time a hand is scored, it becomes a matter of counting off the applied han.

Impossible scores

There are no scoring values assigned for 1 han and 20 fu, 1 han and 25 fu, and 2 han and 25 fu (via mentsumo).

  • 1 han and 20 fu
The hand must be a closed pinfu hand. However, it gets paired with mentsumo; so it defaults as 2 han and 20 fu.
  • 1 han and 25 fu
Chiitoitsu is by default worth 2 han and 25 fu. No other yaku worth 1-han can be set at 25 fu.
  • 2 han and 25 fu (tsumo)
Chiitoitsu with mentsumo would be 3 han and 25 fu.

Mangan and more

Dealer Non-Dealer
Name Ron Tsumo† Ron Tsumo
Mangan 12000 4000 8000 4000/2000
Haneman 18000 6000 12000 6000/3000
Baiman 24000 8000 16000 8000/4000
Sanbaiman 36000 12000 24000 12000/6000
Yakuman 48000 16000 32000 16000/8000
Dealer tsumo applies to all non-dealer players

For mangan and beyond, a point cap is applied, such that fu is not necessary. It can still be counted; but for scoring purposes, it is not counted due to the cap on the basic points calculation. For example, a 5 han 40 fu hand is valued the same as a 5 han 80 fu hand.

So, this section of the scoring table easy to remember. For easier memorization, these higher values possess specific names, namely: haneman, baiman, sanbaiman, and yakuman. Likewise, they are worth factors more than mangan.

  • Haneman = 50% more than mangan
  • Baiman = 100% more than mangan (double)
  • Sanbaiman = 150% more than mangan
  • Yakuman = 200% more than mangan (four times)

The lowest score for mangan is 8000 points for a non-dealer by ron. The dealer value is 4000 points more, or 50% more, at 12000 points. For the tsumo values, the 8000 points for mangan ron is cut in half. That amount is paid by the dealer. The remaining 4000 points is again split in half for the other players to pay 2000 points each. For the dealer value, it is simply taking the 12,000 points normally scored by ron and dividing it into 3 for the other players to pay.

Counting fu

To count fu, a player must understand how fu is generated. In essence, fu comes from the hand's composition and winning method. Yaku has no bearing on the fu count, aside from required tile compositions of specific yaku.

The convenience of counting fu rests on rounding up. Even a fu count of 32 fu gets rounded up to 40 fu. So, when counting fu, it is helpful to note when the count crosses a multiple of 10.

Common values

Despite the full range of the entire scoring table, the more frequent score combinations are best to focus on, after the simpler mangan+ scores. The frequent occurrence of the common scores will end up becoming more routine with each scoring hand.

30 and 40 fu

Among the hands valued at 1 han to 4 han, the most common scores involve 30 fu or 40 fu. So, among the han-fu combinations, this is the most logical section to start.

Naturally, the first score to consider involves 1 han and 30 fu. Of all the hand values possible, this is the smallest. While the 20 fu values exist, 1 han and 20 fu does not, as no hand can be valued as such.

25 fu

The 25 fu column involves the yaku, chiitoitsu. This yaku is unique enough, such that it has its own fu column dedicated to it. This is mainly because it does not follow the typical "4 tile groups and a pair" pattern.

Point equivalences

Various point values are equivalent among the different han and fu combinations. By recognizing the equivalences, this eases the task of memorization, when one section or column of the scoring table is learned.

In general, if a fu count is divisible by 2 and a fu column of that result exists, then the points are equivalent to a han-fu combination of 1+ han. For example, 3 han and 60 fu is equivalent to 4 han and 30 fu. Both han and fu combinations score 7700 points for non-dealer ron, 11600 for dealer ron, 2000/3900 for non-dealer tsumo, and finally 3900 from all for dealer tsumo. Various other similar scoring equivalences exist throughout the scoring table. In a sense, as long as one learns the 25 fu, 30 fu, and 40 fu score columns, then the rest of the fu columns fall on simple equivalency. The 20 fu column is essentially the 40 fu column anyways.

20 fu and 40 fu

Hands with 20 fu only applies to pinfu with mentsumo. This yaku is defined as a hand that does not earn fu. Although, it still earns the 10 fu with closed ron. Otherwise, the hand does not produce fu by any other means.

25 fu and 50 fu

Values associated the 25 fu are the "chiitoitsu" numbers. Due to the uniqueness of 25 fu applied for chiitoitsu, it can be helpful to learn these values separately. After all, it is associated to only one yaku.

Now, 25 fu can be doubled to 50 fu. So, knowing the "chiitoitsu" point values, one would already know the 50 fu column.

Position 2 han 25 fu = 1 han 50 fu 3 han 25 fu = 2 han 50 fu 4 han 25 fu = 3 han 50 fu
Non-dealer tsumo
Non-dealer ron
800/400
1600
1600/800
3200
3200/1600
6400
Dealer tsumo
Dealer ron
800
2400
1600
4800
3200
9600

Continuing the equivalences place the point values at mangan.

30 fu and 60 fu

40 fu and 80 fu

50 fu and 100 fu

70 fu and more

This portion of the scoring table is the least used. To score 70+ fu, the hand needs the large amount of fu generated by closed kan involving terminal or honor tiles. Otherwise, the hand may also involve any multiple kan calls. Furthermore, the 70+ fu scores only apply to 1 or 2 han hands. With 3 han or more, the value is already set to mangan.

Dealer Non-Dealer
70 80 90 100 110 70 80 90 100 110
1 han 1200
3400
1300
3900
1500
4400
1600
4800
1800
5300
600/1200
2300
700/1300
2600
800/1500
2900
800/1600
3200
900/1800
3600
2 han 2300
6800
2600
7700
2900
8700
3200
9600
3600
10600
1200/2300
4500
1300/2600
5200
1500/2900
5800
1600/3200
6400
1800/3600
7100

Point equivalences continue to apply for the 40 fu and 80 fu column, as well as the 50 fu and 100 fu column. The columns for 70 fu, 90 fu, and 110 fu all produce unique point values not found elsewhere on the scoring table. Therefore, those may have to be memorized on their own. However, they do not occur frequently; so it is best and practical to learn these values after learning the rest of the scoring table.

External links