What is Akadora?
Akadora (Red Dora) are red-colored special tiles that function identically to normal tiles but always count as 1 han. Unlike regular dora that depends on the indicator tile, akadora are predetermined bonus tiles.
Typically, there are 3 akadora: one red 5-man, one red 5-pin, and one red 5-sou. However, the number and types vary by rule set.
Akadora Characteristics
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Red version of normal tiles |
| Value | Always 1 han (same as dora) |
| Usage | Used normally in melds |
| Fixed | Determined before game starts |
Standard Akadora (3 Tiles)
Standard setup:
- Red 5-man (characters)
- Red 5-pin (dots)
- Red 5-sou (bamboo)
Other variations:
- 4 tiles (red 5-pin ×2)
- With red 3s (rare)
- No akadora (0 tiles)Akadora vs Regular Dora
| Aspect | Akadora | Regular Dora |
|---|---|---|
| Determination | Fixed from start | Based on indicator |
| Visibility | Clearly red | Same as normal |
| Variability | Never changes | Can increase with kan |
| Adoption | Rule-dependent | Standard |
Strategic Value
When You Have Akadora
| Situation | Strategy | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Early game | Keep carefully | Guaranteed 1 han |
| Mid game | Play normally | Prioritize shape |
| Late game | Consider safety | Deal-in risk matters |
| With riichi | Use aggressively | Aim for higher value |
Using Akadora Effectively
1. Building hands around akadora
- Aim for sanshoku 456
- Good synergy with tanyao
2. Akadora pair value
- Triplet = 3 han value
- Even pon = 2 han remains
3. Akadora wait setup
- Include in ryanmen waits
- Avoid kanchan waitsProbability Statistics
| Situation | Probability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1+ akadora in starting hand | ~32% | 1 in 3 players |
| 2+ akadora in starting hand | ~3% | Rare |
| All 3 akadora | ~0.01% | Extremely rare |
Point Impact
No akadora: Base points only
1 akadora: +1 han (~2x points)
2 akadora: +2 han (~4x points)
3 akadora: +3 han (~8x points)Discarding Akadora
Decision Timing
| Timing | Guideline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Early | Avoid discarding | High value |
| Mid | Depends on hand | Consider safety |
| Late | Safety priority | Avoid deal-in |
| After riichi | Based on danger | Use genbutsu if possible |
Why Akadora Are Dangerous
Reasons akadora tiles are risky:
1. Everyone wants them
2. 5 is an easy-to-use number
3. Easy to include in ryanmen
4. Core of sanshoku 456Online Mahjong Settings
| Platform | Akadora Setting |
|---|---|
| Mahjong Soul | 3/4/none selectable |
| Tenhou | 3 tiles fixed in ranked |
| MJ | 3 tiles standard |
Common Mistakes
-
Not checking akadora rules
- Not all games use them
- Confirm before playing
-
Akadora count varies
- 3 is standard, but 4 exists
- Online games have settings
-
Stacking with regular dora
- Akadora + regular dora = 2 han
- Red 5 as dora indicator = red 5 is 2 han
-
Akadora alone doesn’t make yaku
- Same as regular dora
- Need a valid yaku to win
Related Terms
- Dora: Bonus tiles in general
- Dora Indicator: Tile that shows dora
- Ura-dora: Under-dora after riichi win
Summary
Akadora are red-colored special tiles that always count as 1 han, typically consisting of red 5-man, 5-pin, and 5-sou. Unlike regular dora, they’re predetermined and easy to identify. Beginners should first confirm if akadora are used, then treat them carefully as guaranteed point boosters. Use them wisely without being overly attached - flexibility based on the situation is key to winning with akadora.