What is Betaori? Complete Fold Strategy and Judgment Criteria Explained for Beginners

What is Betaori (Complete Fold)?

Betaori (ベタオリ) is a defensive mahjong tactic where you completely abandon winning and focus solely on not dealing in. You discard safe tiles even if it destroys your hand, aiming to survive the round.

“Beta” means “completely,” and “ori” is short for “folding.” It’s the most passive tactic, completely abandoning offense.

Detailed Explanation of Betaori

Basic Principles of Betaori

1. Abandon winning

   • Don’t even aim for tenpai
   • Ignore hand shape

2. Prioritize safe tiles

   • Genbutsu → honors → suji order
   • Never discard dangerous tiles

3. Aim for draw

   • Accept noten penalty
   • Better than dealing in

Betaori Procedure

1. Confirm and discard genbutsu
2. If no genbutsu, honor tiles (especially guest winds)
3. If those unavailable, use suji or walls
4. Last resort: terminals (1・9)
5. Never discard unsafe simples until the end

Usage Examples

Real Game Situations

Example 1: Betaori Declaration

"Betaori against dealer riichi"
"Double riichi, complete betaori"

Example 2: Executing Betaori

"Discard genbutsu, betaori stance"
"Hand scattered, but betaori only choice"

Example 3: Continuing Betaori

"Even if tenpai, continue betaori"
"Already folded, staying folded to the end"

When to Betaori

Absolute Betaori Situations

Consider Betaori Situations

1. Multiple riichi

   • 2+ players in riichi
   • High dealing in probability

2. High point signs

   • Dora not visible
   • High points from calls

3. Bad hand

   • Noten or bad wait
   • Cheap hand

Related Terms

• Genbutsu: 100% safe tiles
• Oshihiki: Offense-defense judgment
• Suji: Reading ryanmen waits
• Kabe: Reading from 4 visible tiles
• Mawashiuchi: Partial folding

Common Mistakes and Points to Note

Points Beginners Often Mistake

1. Half-hearted folding

   • Switching between fold and attack is worst
   • Be thorough once you decide to fold

2. Tempted by tenpai

   • Ignore tenpai during betaori
   • Riichi with dangerous tile is absurd

3. Too early betaori

   • Situational judgment is important
   • Don’t fold more than necessary

4. Overlooking genbutsu

   • Check everyone’s discards
   • Don’t forget same-turn genbutsu

Betaori Technique

Safe Tile Priority

Betaori Mindset

1. Abandon pride
   → Avoid loss over winning

2. Ignore hand beauty
   → Break up :1m::2m::3m::4m::5m::6m: if needed

3. Noten penalty is necessary expense
   → 1000-3000 points is cheap

Betaori Judgment Criteria

Judgment by Point Situation

Judgment by Hand

Good hand (ryanmen wait, high points)
→ Consider oshihiki

Bad hand (noten, bad wait, cheap)
→ Betaori recommended

Betaori vs Oshihiki

Betaori vs Mawashiuchi Difference

Gradual Defense

1. Wait and see: Discard safe tiles but maintain shape
2. Mawashiuchi: Start breaking shape
3. Betaori: Completely give up

Betaori Statistics

Betaori Effectiveness

• Deal-in rate: Below 5% (when executed correctly)
• Noten penalty: Average 1500 points
• Expected value: -1500 points

※Dealing into riichi averages 8000 point loss

Betaori Tips

Mental Aspect

1. Accept the decision

   • Cut attachment to winning
   • Take long-term perspective

2. Don’t be embarrassed

   • Betaori is legitimate skill
   • Pros are better at betaori

Technical Aspect

1. Discard management

   • Remember everyone’s discards
   • Don’t miss genbutsu

2. Track remaining tiles

   • Count safe tile numbers
   • Calculate if you can survive

Conclusion

Betaori is a defensive tactic where you completely abandon winning to avoid dealing in. For beginners, it takes courage, but it’s essential skill to win at mahjong. As the saying goes, “not dealing in is also skill” - being able to betaori in appropriate situations greatly improves long-term performance. Judge situations correctly and have the courage to betaori when needed.