What is Haitei? The Last Tile Rules and Related Yaku Explained for Beginners

What is Haitei (Last Tile)?

Haitei (海底) refers to the last tile in the wall in mahjong. Specifically, it indicates the last tile excluding the 14 dead wall tiles, and drawing this tile is called “haitei moyue.” The haitei tile signifies the end of the round, as no more tiles can be drawn after it.

The name “haitei” comes from likening the wall to an “ocean” (海), with this being the tile at the deepest bottom.

Detailed Explanation of Haitei

Rules Regarding Haitei

Special Nature of Haitei Tile

Differences from normal tsumo:
1. Cannot kan (minkan or ankan)
2. Cannot riichi
3. This becomes the last draw
4. Special yaku haitei moyue exists

Position of Haitei

Wall composition (136 tiles):
- Draw tiles: 122 tiles
- Dead wall: 14 tiles (including dora indicators, rinshan tiles)

Haitei = 122nd draw tile

Usage Examples

Real Game Situations

Example 1: Haitei Confirmation

"Almost at haitei"
"3 turns until haitei"

Example 2: Drawing on Haitei

"Drew on haitei!"
"Win with haitei moyue!"

Example 3: Haitei Restrictions

"Can't kan on haitei"
"Can't riichi on haitei"

Related Terms

• Houtei: Last discard
• Haitei Moyue: Tsumo win on haitei tile
• Houtei Raoyue: Ron win on houtei tile
• Wanpai: Dead wall (14 unused tiles)
• Ryuukyoku: Exhaustive draw

Common Mistakes and Points to Note

Points Beginners Often Mistake

1. Confusing with dead wall

   • Haitei is not dead wall
   • Last drawable tile

2. Miscounting tiles

   • Exclude 14 dead wall tiles
   • Tile #122 is haitei

3. Kan rules

   • Kan not allowed on haitei
   • Not enough rinshan tiles

4. Riichi rules

   • Riichi not allowed on haitei
   • No next draw

Yaku Related to Haitei

Haitei Moyue (Last Tile Draw)

Example of Tsumo Win on Haitei

Hand: :1m::2m::3m: :4p::5p::6p: :7s::8s::9s: :1m::1m: :1z::1z:
Haitei tile: Draw :1m:

Yaku: Tanyao + Tsumo + Haitei Moyue = 3 han

Haitei Strategy

Judgment Near Haitei

Play Conscious of Haitei

1. Track remaining tiles
   - Always check wall
   - Calculate turns to haitei

2. Kan judgment
   - Complete kan before haitei
   - Kan not allowed on haitei

3. Riichi judgment
   - Turn before haitei is last chance
   - Riichi not allowed on haitei

Special Haitei Rules

Variations by Region/Rules

1. Dead wall count

   • Usually 14 tiles
   • May differ in some rules

2. Special actions on haitei

   • Ankan also not allowed
   • Kakan also not allowed

3. Haitei moyue treatment

   • Treated as luck yaku
   • Not subject to yakuman bonus

Haitei in Online Mahjong

Haitei Precautions

Things Not to Do

1. Attempt to kan

   • Rule violation
   • May become chombo

2. Riichi declaration

   • Becomes invalid
   • Embarrassing

3. Miscount wall

   • Miss haitei
   • Strategy mistake

Haitei Etiquette

1. Conscious it's the last tile
   - Handle carefully
   - Prepare for draw

2. Consider other players
   - Inform about haitei
   - Smooth progression

3. Confirm rules
   - Check in advance
   - Prevent trouble

Haitei Trivia

Etymology and Culture

• Chinese origin: “Haitei moyue” from Chinese story
• Established in Japan: Became common in Showa era
• Dramatic effect: Creates dramatic development

Statistical Data

Haitei moyue win rate: About 2-3%
Tenpai rate on haitei: About 25%
Draw rate on haitei: About 70%

Conclusion

Haitei is the last tile in the wall (excluding dead wall) and marks the end of the mahjong round. Special rules exist where kan and riichi are not allowed on the haitei tile, and there’s also a special yaku called haitei moyue. For beginners, it’s important to understand that the last tile excluding the dead wall is haitei, and remember the rule restrictions on haitei. By being conscious of remaining tiles near haitei and making appropriate judgments, you can play more strategic mahjong.