Yaku: Difference between revisions

'''Yaku''' {{kana|役}} are [[List of yaku|specific hand patterns or conditions]] needed in order to score a hand.  In a sense, they are synonymous to "poker hands".  Yet, unlike poker hands, yaku are worth specific "[[scoring|han values]]", and various yaku may be combined together into one hand. Basic mahjong knowledge involves learning the yaku, but it is not expected of new players to know them.  '''Most importantly, every hand must include at least one yaku in order to count as a winning hand'''.

Each yaku is assigned han values. Most have static values, regardless of the hand being closed or open.  However, some decrease in han value while being open. Furthermore, some also require hands to remain closed in order to count.  For hands to maximize the total han value, different yaku may be combined into a single hand.

Various yaku are affected by the hand's state of being open or closed. After using the different [[naki|tile calls]], a yaku may be affected in terms of han value or even validity. Various yaku, and even yakuman, are restricted to be closed only.  Others, they remain valid but their value is decreased by 1-han.  As for the rest, it is irrelevant whether the hand is open or closed.

'''Nomi''' {{kana|ノミ}} is the state of the hand which contains only one yaku and no dora. In other words, it is the lowest value (or second lowest value) for that particular yaku possible.  In general, this term can be appended to any of the yaku names as a suffix.  For example, '''riichi nomi''' {{kana|リーチノミ}} meaning "riichi only". Usually, winning hands in this state are [[scoring|cheap low value hands]] worth only 1 or 2 [[han]]. Though, the term used for higher valued yaku, such as [[ryanpeikou]] or [[chinitsu]], are acceptable; but it's not generally used.  When [[dora]] is included in the hand, then the term is not applicable.  As for yakuman, the term nomi is not appended, due to the high scoring value.

These two are yaku because the hand is tenpai during specific discard timings. Likewise, these two yaku can never be won via drawing a tile.

: This is the only yaku, by which players have the option to declare or not. Otherwise, hands may possibly [[damaten|win without it]], if it remains closed with other valid yaku.

: A complete string of 1-9 tile naturally use sequences.

: Every tile group must be a sequence.