Tenpai: Difference between revisions

'''Karaten''' {{kana|カラテン}}, or '''empty tenpai''', is a state where a [[tenpai]] hand does not have the ability to win. If all four copies of each winning tile are in play, then it is considered karaten. These "visible tiles" may have been discarded, used as a dora indicator, or exist in one's own hand. Furthermore, they may be held in other player's hands or even reside within the dead wall. However, the latter case is beyond a player's visibility.

'''Keishiki tenpai''' {{kana|形式聴牌}}, or '''shaped tenpai''', applies to hands with no yaku. Such hands still remain relevant at ryuukyoku regarding tenpai vs noten payments. The definition of tenpai does not necessarily apply to [[yaku]].

This is a common pitfall for many beginners. Hands are built to tenpai.  However, due to lack of or limited knowledge of the yaku, players may find themselves unable to declare a win. Often, the hand simply lacks yaku.  Otherwise, [[furiten]] may also be a reason.  In this state, it is still possible to produce yaku via [[haitei]], [[houtei]], and even possibly [[rinshan]].  This is particularly true of open hands.  For closed hands, [[mentsumo|tsumo]] may count as an additional option.