What is Chinitsu? The 6-Han Full Flush Yaku Explained for Beginners

What is Chinitsu?

Chinitsu (清一色) is a yaku in mahjong where your entire hand consists of only one type of number tiles (manzu, pinzu, or souzu). Also called “full flush” in English, it’s a 6-han yaku that’s the pinnacle of “flush hands” and popular among mahjong enthusiasts.

When menzen (closed), it’s worth 6 han; when called, it drops to 5 han due to kuisagari. The pure beauty of using no honor tiles is characteristic, and it guarantees at least haneman when menzen, or mangan when called - a powerful high-scoring yaku.

Detailed Explanation of Chinitsu

Conditions for Completion

To complete chinitsu, you must meet these conditions:

Menzen vs Called Difference

※Menzen guarantees haneman+, called guarantees mangan+

Usage Examples

Real Game Situations

Example 1: Confirming the Yaku

"Chinitsu confirmed"
"Full flush with manzu only"

Example 2: Hand Building

"Collecting manzu for chinitsu"
"Cutting honor tiles for chinitsu"

Example 3: Calling Decisions

"Even called chinitsu is mangan"
"Chi for speed"

Chinitsu Hand Shapes

Basic Form (Menzen)

Hand: 123m 456m 789m 11m 99m
Complete: Manzu only 14 tiles, 6 han (Haneman)

Common Practical Forms

With calls:

Chi: 123m (sideways) 789m (sideways)
Hand: 456m 55m 77m
→ Manzu only chinitsu, 5 han (Mangan)

Combined with chiitoitsu:

Hand: 1122334455667m
→ Chinitsu 6 han + Chiitoitsu 2 han = 8 han (Baiman)

Related Terms

• Honitsu: One suit + honors (3 han)
• Ikkitsuukan: Can combine with chinitsu
• Sanshoku Doujun: Opposite type of yaku
• Kuisagari: Han reduction from calling

Common Mistakes and Points to Note

Points Beginners Often Mistake

1. Confusing with Honitsu

   • Chinitsu: One suit only (no honors)
   • Honitsu: One suit + honors OK

2. Even One Honor Tile

   • Even 1 honor tile disqualifies
   • Becomes honitsu instead

3. Using Multiple Suits

   • Manzu + pinzu = invalid
   • Must be exactly one suit

4. Kuisagari Calculation

   • Calling drops 6 han → 5 han
   • Still mangan or better

Tactics for Aiming at Chinitsu

Judgment from Starting Hand

Guidelines for aiming at chinitsu:

Calling Decisions

When to call:

1. Early game calls

   • Fix direction early
   • Prioritize tenpai speed

2. Mid game calls

   • Call when needed tiles appear
   • 5 han is still great

3. Late game calls

   • Mangan guaranteed value
   • Secure the win

Chinitsu in Practice

Path to Chinitsu

Typical flow:

Starting hand: 8 manzu tiles
↓
Early: Cut all pinzu, souzu, honors
↓
Mid: Collect only manzu
↓
Late: Chinitsu complete, tenpai

Processing Other Suits

Procedure:

1. Cut by danger level

   • Safer tiles first
   • Process early

2. Cut honor tiles too

   • Even yakuhai
   • Chinitsu priority

3. Dora decisions

   • Cut other suit dora
   • Protect dora of your suit

Compatible Yaku Combinations

Commonly Combined Yaku

Combination Example

Chinitsu + Ikkitsuukan + Dora 1:

Hand: 123m 456m 789m 11m 99m
Menzen: 9 han (Sanbaiman)
Called: 8 han (Baiman)

Chinitsu Probability and Value

Occurrence Rate

Statistics:

• Menzen completion: ~0.8%
• Including calls: ~1.2%
• Relatively common among high-scoring yaku

Comparison with Other High-Scoring Yaku

Ease of completion:

1. Toitoi (~1.5%)
2. Chinitsu (~1.2%)
3. Honitsu (~3%)
4. Sanankou (~0.3%)
5. Shousangen (~0.2%)

Chinitsu Strategy Points

Early Game Decisions

Starting hands to aim for:

• Many of one suit (8+ tiles)
• Few honor tiles
• Dora in that suit
• 1-9 well balanced

Starting hands to abandon:

• 3 suits evenly distributed
• Too many honor tiles
• Other yaku more promising
• 7 or fewer of target suit

Mid Game Hand Building

Efficient progression:

1. Commit to one suit

   • Cut everything else
   • Don’t hesitate

2. Use calls

   • Speed priority
   • 5 han is still strong

3. Adjust waits

   • Prioritize good shapes
   • Aim for multi-wait

Late Game Finishing

Path to tenpai:

• Choose maximum waits
• Watch for furiten
• Maximize dora usage

Choosing Between Chinitsu and Honitsu

When to Choose Chinitsu

Chinitsu advantages:

• Overwhelming high score (6 han)
• Haneman+ when menzen
• Pure beauty
• Can cut honor tiles

Conditions for chinitsu:

• Few honor tiles (2 or less)
• 8+ of target suit
• Want haneman or better

When to Choose Honitsu

Honitsu advantages:

• Can use honor tiles
• Easy to combine with yakuhai
• Relatively easier to make

Conditions for honitsu:

• Have yakuhai pair
• 3+ honor tiles
• Prefer stability

Chinitsu Psychology

Effect on Opponents

Chinitsu pressure:

1. Obvious from discards

   • Cutting 2 suits continuously
   • Quickly noticed

2. Forces defense

   • Can’t discard that suit
   • Hand becomes restricted

3. High score intimidation

   • Mangan+ guaranteed
   • Suppresses attacks

Countering Chinitsu

Signs of opponent’s chinitsu:

• Cutting 2 suits from early
• Cutting honor tiles too
• Calling one suit

Countermeasures:

• Hold tiles of that suit
• Consider betaori (folding)
• Strike first with riichi

Conclusion

Chinitsu (full flush) is a 6-han yaku made with only one type of number tiles. Menzen is 6 han guaranteeing haneman+, and even called is 5 han guaranteeing mangan+ - a powerful high-scoring yaku. The pure beauty of using no honor tiles is characteristic, making it the pinnacle of flush hands. Beginners should learn the basics of “one suit only, no honors,” and when you have 8+ tiles of one suit in your starting hand, actively aim for it. While harder than honitsu, the potential for high scores makes it an attractive yaku.