Haiteihai (Last Draw Tile) - The Final Tile from the Wall

What is Haiteihai?

Haiteihai (last draw tile) is the final tile that can be drawn from the wall in mahjong. With 14 tiles kept as the dead wall (wanpai), the haiteihai is the last of the remaining tiles. Winning by tsumo on this tile awards the 1-han yaku “Haitei Raoyue.”

“Haitei” means the bottom of the sea - named as the deepest tile in the wall. After drawing this tile, you can only discard or tsumo - no kan is allowed.

Tile Distribution

Restrictions on Haiteihai

Haitei Raoyue

1-Han Yaku Conditions

Common Combinations

Example 1: Riichi + Haitei Raoyue + Dora 1
→ 30 fu 3 han = 3,900 points

Example 2: Pinfu + Tsumo + Haitei Raoyue
→ 20 fu 3 han = 2,600 points

Strategic Considerations

Haitei-Aware Play

1. Track remaining tiles

   • Count tsumo turns
   • Predict who gets haitei

2. Aim for tenpai

   • Haitei Raoyue possibility
   • Extra 1 han value

3. Calling judgment

   • Calls change turn order
   • May miss haitei

Calculating Haitei Position

Remaining tiles ÷ 4 = Tsumo turns each

Example: 8 tiles left
→ 2 turns each
→ Turn order determines haitei

Special Situations

Four Kans and Haitei

Haitei Win Value

1. Normal tsumo

   • Just tsumo han
   • Normal calculation

2. Haitei Raoyue

   • Tsumo + Haitei = 2 han
   • Value increases

3. Yakuman case

   • Haitei doesn’t add
   • Fixed at yakuman

Probability

Haitei Raoyue Statistics

Worth Pursuing?

• 1 han value is real
• Don’t force it
• Play naturally
• It’s incidental

The Drama of Haitei

Dramatic Moments

1. Mangan tsumo

   • Haitei + other yaku
   • Great comeback

2. Beginner’s haitei

   • Beginner’s luck
   • Exciting moment

3. Pro haitei read

   • Perfect calculation
   • As planned

Memorable Haitei

• Chuuren Poutou on haitei
• Kokushi Musou on haitei
• Pinfu-only saved by haitei
• No-yaku saved by haitei

Related Terms

• Houteihai: Last discard tile
• Houtei Raoyui: Ron on houteihai
• Wanpai: Dead wall (14 tiles)
• Rinshan-hai: Tile drawn after kan
• Ryuukyoku: Draw game

Common Mistakes

1. Trying to kan

   • Not allowed on haitei
   • No rinshan tiles left

2. Trying to riichi

   • No point
   • No tiles left

3. Miscounting wanpai

   • 14 tiles are untouchable
   • Wrong haitei position

4. Confusing with houtei

   • Haitei: last draw
   • Houtei: last discard

Proper Etiquette

1. Announce haitei

   • “This is haitei”
   • Inform everyone

2. Draw carefully

   • The last tile
   • Handle with respect

3. Decide promptly

   • Don’t overthink
   • Keep tempo

4. Accept the result

   • Even if no win
   • Move to next round

Summary

Haiteihai is the final drawable tile from the wall (excluding the 14-tile dead wall). Winning by tsumo on this tile awards Haitei Raoyue, a 1-han yaku. Kan and riichi are not allowed on haitei. Beginners should remember “the last draw is special” and aim for tenpai as haitei approaches. While you can’t intentionally aim for Haitei Raoyue, the hope and drama of the final tile is one of mahjong’s exciting elements.