What is Dora? Meaning, Types, and Counting Explained for Beginners

What is Dora?

Dora refers to special tiles (bonus tiles) in mahjong that add 1 han just by holding them. Formally called “kenshouhai” (bonus tiles), winning with dora significantly increases your score. Dora itself is not a yaku, so it must be combined with other yaku.

The name “dora” comes from the English word “Dragon” and developed as a unique rule in Japanese mahjong.

Detailed Explanation of Dora

Types of Dora

Relationship Between Dora Indicator and Dora

The tile after the dora indicator becomes dora:
1-man → 2-man is dora
9-man → 1-man is dora (cycles)
East → South is dora
North → East is dora (cycles)
White → Green is dora
Red → White is dora (cycles)

Counting Dora

Usage Examples

Real Game Situations

Example 1: Confirming Dora

"Dora indicator is 3-man, so dora is 4-man"
"This round's dora is green dragon"

Example 2: Winning with Dora

"Tanyao with 3 dora - mangan!"
"Riichi, tsumo, dora-dora - haneman"

Example 3: Kan-dora

"Declared kan and got new dora!"
"Kan-dora made my score jump"

Related Terms

• Dora Indicator: Tile indicating dora
• Wanpai (Dead Wall): Location of dora indicators
• Ura-dora: Bonus for riichi wins
• Kan: Declaring four matching tiles
• Aka-dora: Special red tiles

Common Mistakes and Points to Note

Points Beginners Often Mistake

1. Cannot win with dora alone

   • Other yaku are required
   • Dora is not a yaku

2. Confusing dora indicator with dora

   • Tile after indicator is dora
   • Indicator itself is not dora

3. Ura-dora verification timing

   • Only for riichi wins
   • Cannot see with dama wins

4. Aka-dora rule variations

   • Confirm if adopted
   • Number varies by rules

Strategic Value of Dora

Decisions When Holding Dora

How to Use Dora

1. Handling dora pairs
   - Worth calling pon for
   - Triplet = 3 han value

2. Dora tanki wait
   - High risk
   - High reward

3. Dora-soba wait
   - Likely to be discarded
   - Worth actively pursuing

Dora Probabilities

Dora Appearance Probability

Kan-dora Impact

Kan count and dora types:
0 kans: 1 dora type (omote-dora only)
1 kan:  2 dora types (+kan-dora 1)
2 kans: 3 dora types (+kan-dora 2)
3 kans: 4 dora types (+kan-dora 3)
4 kans: 5 dora types (+kan-dora 4)

Dora-Conscious Tactics

Offensive Utilization

Defensive Considerations

1. Dora are dangerous tiles
   - Others want them too
   - Early disposal is an option

2. Dora-adjacent also dangerous
   - Easily become waits
   - Extra caution needed

3. Aka-dora handling
   - Highly visible
   - Easily targeted

Special Dora Rules

Regional/Rule Variations

1. Aka-dora count

   • 0 tiles (none)
   • 3 tiles (one per suit)
   • 4 tiles (two in pinzu)

2. Nuki-dora

   • Adopted in some regions
   • Extract north or flower tiles

3. Tips/Bonuses

   • Additional for aka-dora or ippatsu
   • Cash or chips

Dora in Online Mahjong

Dora-Related Terminology

Commonly Used Expressions

• “Dora-dora”: 2 dora
• “Dora-baku”: Massive dora
• “Ura-notta”: Ura-dora hit
• “Dora-pon”: Call pon on dora
• “Dora-kiri”: Discard dora

Dora Value Expressions

No dora: "Base points only"
Dora 1: "Dora 1"
Dora 2: "Dora-dora"
Dora 3+: "Dora-baku" "Dora festival"

History of Dora

Development in Japanese Mahjong

• Introduction: 1950s-60s
• Origin: Influenced by American mahjong
• Establishment: Became common during high-growth period
• Present: Established as essential rule

Pros and Cons of Dora

Merits

• Enhanced gameplay
• Comeback element
• Chances for beginners

Demerits

• Increased luck factor
• Skill differences less apparent
• Added complexity

Conclusion

Dora are special tiles worth 1 han just by holding them, and are one of mahjong’s highlights. There are four types: omote-dora, ura-dora, kan-dora, and aka-dora, each verifiable at different timings. Beginners should first remember that the tile after the dora indicator becomes dora, and understand that dora alone cannot win. Using dora skillfully allows you to aim for high scores and makes mahjong more enjoyable.