What is Daisangen? Big Three Dragons Yakuman Requirements Explained for Beginners

What is Daisangen (Big Three Dragons)?

Daisangen (大三元) is a mahjong yakuman where you make triplets from all three dragon types (white, green, red). It’s a popular yakuman for its powerful and straightforward concept of monopolizing the highly valuable dragons among honor tiles.

One of the few yakuman that can be completed with calling, you can actively pon to build it. However, calling the second dragon tile creates the possibility of “responsibility payment” (sekinin-barai), requiring caution.

Detailed Explanation of Daisangen

Establishment Conditions

For daisangen to be valid, these conditions must be met:

Daisangen Characteristics

Differences from other yakuman:

1. Can be called

   • Can pon to build
   • Open hand OK

2. Easy to understand

   • 3 dragon triplets
   • Easy for beginners to remember

3. Responsibility payment

   • Special rule applies
   • Person who let 2nd dragon be called

Usage Examples

Real Game Situations

Example 1: Building Phase

"Pon white! Aiming for daisangen"
"Called green too, daisangen confirmed"

Example 2: Tenpai and Win

"Daisangen tenpai"
"Daisangen! Responsibility payment!"

Example 3: Warning Expressions

"Called 2, watch for daisangen"
"Absolutely don't discard dragons"

Daisangen Patterns

Basic Form

Hand: :5z::5z::5z: :6z::6z::6z: :7z::7z::7z: :1m::2m::3m: :5s::5s:
Complete: 3 dragon triplets + 1 set + pair

Common Real Game Form

With calling:

Pon: :5z::5z::5z: (sideways), :6z::6z::6z: (sideways)
Hand: :7z::7z::7z: :4s::5s: :1z::1z:
Wait: :3s: or :6s:

Related Terms

• Sangenpai: White, green, red collectively
• Shousangen: 2 dragon triplets + 1 pair, 2 han yaku
• Yakuman: Highest scoring hands
• Sekinin-barai: Responsibility payment rule
• Yakuhai: Dragons are always yakuhai

Common Mistakes and Points to Note

Points Beginners Often Mistake

1. Confusing with shousangen

   • Daisangen: All 3 as triplets
   • Shousangen: 2 triplets + 1 pair

2. Insufficient understanding of responsibility payment

   • Person who let 2nd be called
   • Tsumo: full amount, Ron: split

3. Weak defense

   • Be alert after 1 called
   • Absolutely prevent 2nd

4. Dragon value

   • Even 1 tile is yakuhai
   • Don’t casually discard

Responsibility Payment (Pao) Rules

Responsibility Payment Conditions

Situations where it occurs:

Example:
1. Player A pons white
2. Player B discards green
3. Player A pons green (2nd dragon)
4. Later Player A completes daisangen

→ Player B has responsibility payment

Payment Patterns

Daisangen Strategy

Starting Hand Judgment

Guidelines for aiming:

Calling Judgment

Calling timing:

1. 1st: Be active

   • Call early
   • Apply pressure

2. 2nd: Be careful

   • Watch opponent hands
   • Consider responsibility payment

3. 3rd: Completes it

   • Definitely call
   • Don’t miss

Daisangen in Real Play

Path to Daisangen

Typical flow:

Starting hand: 1-2 dragon pairs
↓
Early game: Pon the 1st
↓
Mid game: Pon the 2nd too (responsibility payment confirmed)
↓
Late game: Wait for 3rd or complete others

Preventing Opponent’s Daisangen

Defense basics:

1. Be alert after 1 called

   • Don’t discard dragons
   • Pairs especially dangerous

2. Absolutely prevent 2nd

   • Avoid responsibility payment
   • Safety first

3. Know when to fold

   • If 2 called
   • Defensive play important

Daisangen Probability and Value

Occurrence Rate

Statistical data:

• Normal: About 0.033%
• With calling: Slightly higher
• Relatively common among yakuman

Comparison with Other Yakuman

Ease of building:

1. Can be called (major advantage)
2. Clear pattern
3. Easier to aim for

Daisangen Mind Games

Using Pressure

Effect after calling 1:

1. Intimidation effect

   • Daisangen possibility
   • At minimum yakuhai confirmed

2. Tile monopoly

   • Dragons less likely to appear
   • Restricts opponent hands

3. Responsibility payment fear

   • Caution about 2nd
   • Opponents become defensive

Hiding Daisangen

When aiming closed:

1. Silently collect

   • Progress without calling
   • Hide until the end

2. Appear to be another hand

   • Normal hand building
   • Value non-dragons too

3. Call suddenly

   • Consecutive pons late game
   • Catch opponents off guard

History and Culture

Daisangen Origins

Name meaning:

• “Dai”: Complete all
• “Sangen”: Collective term for white-green-red
• Derived from Chinese philosophy

Dragon Tile Meanings

Individual meanings:

Local Rules

Combining with Daisuushii

Double yakuman possibility:

Example: :1z::1z::1z: :2z::2z::2z: :3z::3z::3z: :5z::5z::5z: :6z::6z::6z:
→ Daisangen + Daisuushii (double yakuman)

Responsibility Payment Presence

Regional differences:

• Generally: Has responsibility payment
• Some regions: No responsibility payment
• Confirm beforehand

Daisangen Memories

Achievement Appeal

Daisangen charm:

1. Powerfulness

   • Honor tile impact
   • Visual presence

2. Satisfaction

   • Fun of building by calling
   • Moment of completion

3. Memorable

   • Responsibility payment drama
   • Unforgettable moments

Conclusion

Daisangen (big three dragons) is a powerful yakuman requiring triplets of all three dragons (white, green, red). One of the few yakuman that can be completed with calling, you can actively pon to build it, but letting the second dragon be called creates responsibility payment. For beginners, first learn the basics: “make all 3 dragons into triplets,” and actively aim for it when your starting hand has dragon pairs. When opponents call 1 dragon be alert, and be careful to absolutely not let them call a 2nd. Daisangen is a clear and satisfying wonderful yakuman.