What is Han? Unit of Yaku Value in Mahjong Explained for Beginners

What is Han?

Han (翻) is a unit representing the value or magnitude of yaku in mahjong. Each yaku like riichi, tanyao, and yakuhai has an assigned han count, and the total han when winning determines the basic score.

Starting from 1 han, points increase dramatically with each additional han. 13+ han is counted yakuman, while yakuman is the maximum score regardless of han count.

Detailed Explanation of Han

Score Changes by Han Count (Non-dealer)

How to Calculate Han

Total han count:
1. Check han value of yaku
2. Add number of dora tiles
3. Sum everything

Example: Riichi(1) + Ippatsu(1) + Tanyao(1) + Dora 2 = 5 han

Representative Yaku and Han Count

※ Depends on rules

Usage Examples

Real Game Situations

Example 1: Checking Han Count

"How many han?"
"Riichi, tsumo, dora 1 for 3 han"
"With pinfu it's 4 han"

Example 2: Relationship with Points

"4 han so mangan"
"One more han would've been haneman"
"Dora hit for 5 han, mangan!"

Example 3: Strategic Discussion

"2 han confirmed so I'll push"
"Want at least 3 han"
"Only 1 han so I'll pass"

Related Terms

• Yaku: Patterns that gain han
• Fu: Another scoring element
• Mangan: 5 han score
• Yakuman: Highest scoring yaku
• Dora: 1 han per tile
• Kuisagari: Han decrease when calling

Common Mistakes and Points to Note

Points Beginners Often Mistake

1. Confusing dora with yaku

   • Dora counts as han but isn’t yaku
   • Cannot win with only dora
   • Need at least 1 yaku

2. Han decrease when calling

   • Many yaku lose 1 han when called
   • Some become invalid when called
   • Treatment varies by yaku

3. Miscounting han

   • Forgetting uradora
   • Overlooking kandora
   • Missing compound yaku

4. Misunderstanding mangan+

   • 5+ han is fixed points regardless of fu
   • 4 han 40+ fu is also mangan
   • 3 han 70+ fu is also mangan

Importance of Han

Role of Han in Mahjong

What han determines:
1. Basic points
   - Rough framework decided by han
   - Fu is supplementary element

2. Strategic direction
   - How many han to aim for
   - Risk vs return

3. Winning condition
   - Minimum 1 han needed
   - Cannot win without yaku

Strategic Differences by Han Count

Ways to Increase Han

Basic Han Increase Techniques

Techniques to increase han:
1. Aim for yaku combinations
   - Riichi + pinfu + tanyao
   - Yakuhai + toitoi

2. Collect dora
   - Keep dora neighbors
   - Aim for dora increase via kan

3. Hope for lucky yaku
   - Ippatsu, tsumo
   - Haitei, houtei
   - Rinshan kaihou

Efficient Han Building

Han-Related Tactics

Han Value by Situation

Situations where han value changes:
1. Oorasu (final round)
   - Needed han count clear
   - Calculate comeback requirement

2. Dealer turn
   - 1.5x so value increases
   - Consider renchan too

3. Point differential
   - Gap from leader
   - Needed score

Balance of Han Count and Win Rate

Special Han Handling

Yakuman Han Conversion

Yakuman special nature:
- Normal: No han calculation
- Counted yakuman: 13+ han
- Double yakuman: Yakuman × 2
- Treatment varies by region

Local Rule Han

Using Han Quick Reference

Common Combinations

Standard combinations:
- Riichi only: 1 han
- Riichi + tsumo: 2 han
- Riichi + ippatsu + tsumo: 3 han
- Tanyao + pinfu: 2 han
- Yakuhai + dora 1: 2 han

Combinations Making Mangan

History and Evolution of Han

Changes Over Time

Han system evolution:
- Classical: Varied by region
- Unification: Rule standardization
- Modern: Mostly fixed
- Competitive: Strict regulations

Conclusion

Han is a unit representing yaku value in mahjong and the most important element determining winning points. Starting from minimum 1 han, at 5 han becomes mangan, continuing to haneman, baiman and beyond. Calculate by summing yaku han and dora count.

Beginners should start by reliably making 1 han yaku (riichi, yakuhai, tanyao, etc.). As you improve, progressively aim for higher hands with 2, 3 han. Understanding han directly connects to mahjong improvement and is crucial knowledge.