What is Furiten? Meaning, Rules, and Types Explained for Beginners

What is Furiten?

Furiten (振聴) is a state in mahjong where you cannot ron (win by discard) on tiles you have previously discarded or passed on. In furiten state, you cannot win by ron from other players’ discards, but you can still win by tsumo (self-draw). This is an important rule to maintain fairness in mahjong.

The term “furiten” combines “furi” (discard) and “ten” (tenpai), expressing a state where you’ve essentially discarded your own winning tile.

Detailed Explanation of Furiten

Three Types of Furiten

Type	Condition	Duration	How to Clear
Discard Furiten	Your winning tile is in your discards	Permanent	Cannot clear
Same-Turn Furiten	Passed on winning tile same turn	1 turn	Cleared on your draw
Post-Riichi Furiten	Passed on winning tile after riichi	Until end	Cannot clear

Discard Furiten Details

When your discard pile contains a winning tile:
- Cannot ron on that tile
- Cannot ron on ANY of your waits
- Tsumo win is still possible
- Furiten continues even if you change waits

Same-Turn Furiten Details

When you pass on a winning tile in the same turn:
1. Instantly becomes furiten
2. Cannot ron on others' discards
3. Cleared when it's your turn to draw
4. Cleared even if you discard drawn tile immediately

Usage Examples

Real Game Situations

Example 1: Confirming Furiten

"I'm furiten so I can't ron"
"That tile is in my discards, so I'm furiten"

Example 2: Same-Turn Furiten

"Just passed on that, so same-turn furiten"
"Will be cleared on my next draw"

Example 3: Post-Riichi Furiten

"Passed after riichi, so I'm furiten now"
"Can only win by tsumo now"

Ron: Winning on opponent’s discard
Tsumo: Winning by self-draw
Riichi: Tenpai declaration
Tenpai: One tile away from winning
Kawa: Discard pile

Common Mistakes and Points to Note

Points Beginners Often Mistake

All Waits Become Furiten
- Even one winning tile in discards means all waits can’t ron
- Same for multi-wait hands
Tsumo is Still Possible
- Furiten only blocks ron
- Self-draw wins are OK
Changing Waits Doesn’t Help
- Once furiten, can’t be cleared
- Changing hand shape doesn’t help
Passing After Riichi
- Immediately becomes furiten
- Continues until end of hand

Furiten Examples

Discard Furiten Example

Hand	Wait	Discard Status	Result
123m 456p 789s 12m	3m	3m in discards	Furiten
234p 567p 11s 456m	14p	1p in discards	Furiten
Pair hand waiting 13m	13m	1m in discards	Furiten

Same-Turn Furiten Example

Situation: Tenpai with 234p (14p wait)
1. Player to left discards 1p → Pass
2. Player across discards 4p → Can't ron (same-turn furiten)
3. Your turn to draw → Furiten cleared

How to Avoid Furiten

Basic Prevention

Method	Explanation	Effect
Check discards	Always check your discard pile	Prevent discard furiten
Choose waits	Pick waits not in your discards	Improve win rate
Don’t pass	Always ron when in tenpai	Prevent same-turn furiten
Careful riichi	Avoid furiten riichi	Prevent wasted riichi

Strategic Handling

1. When in furiten tenpai:
   - Aim for tsumo win
   - Stay dama and observe
   - Rebuild hand for different wait

2. Deciding whether to riichi:
   - Avoid if furiten
   - Calculate tsumo expected value
   - Consider point situation

Furiten Strategy

Playing with Furiten

Situation	Recommended Action	Reason
Early furiten tenpai	Rebuild hand	Low win rate
Late furiten tenpai	Go for tsumo	No time to rebuild
High-value furiten	Push for tsumo	High reward
Low-value furiten	Fold	High risk

Furiten Riichi - Yes or No?

When to declare furiten riichi:
1. High tsumo expected value
2. Pressure on opponents
3. Ippatsu and uradora possibility
4. Block opponent riichi chase

When to avoid:
1. Few tiles left in wall
2. Points not needed
3. Someone else likely to win

Advantages and Disadvantages of Furiten

Advantages (Strategic Use)

1. Safe tile guarantee
   - Furiten tiles are absolutely safe
   - Use for defense

2. Pressure on opponents
   - Furiten riichi creates pressure
   - May stop opponents from winning

3. Hand reading material
   - Deduce hands from discards
   - Use for strategy planning

Disadvantages

Cannot win by ron
Win rate drops significantly
Riichi value decreases
Point efficiency suffers

Common Furiten Troubles

Frequent Issues

Declaring Furiten Ron
- Results in chombo (penalty)
- Subject to penalty points
Missing Furiten Status
- Common among beginners
- Need habit of checking
Rule Misunderstanding
- Regional variations exist
- Confirm rules beforehand

Conclusion

Furiten is a state where you cannot ron on tiles you’ve discarded or passed on, an important rule maintaining mahjong fairness. There are three types: discard furiten, same-turn furiten, and post-riichi furiten, each with different conditions and durations. Beginners should develop the habit of always checking their discards and not passing on winning tiles. Since tsumo is still possible even in furiten, appropriate judgment based on the situation can minimize furiten’s disadvantages.