What is Hora?
Hora is the formal term for winning in mahjong by completing 4 melds + 1 pair (or special hands) and scoring points. More commonly called “agari” (winning) in casual play, hora is the official term used in formal settings and written rules.
The pronunciation “hora” comes from the Chinese “hu le” (和了). It can also be read as “wariyo” or simply “agari.”
Winning Conditions
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Basic shape | 4 melds + 1 pair complete |
| Special shapes | Chiitoitsu, Kokushi Musou, etc. |
| Valid yaku | At least 1 yaku required |
| Not furiten | Can’t wait on your discards |
Types of Hora
Two main types of winning:
1. Tsumo Hora (Self-draw win)
- Win with tile drawn from wall
- All 3 opponents pay points
2. Ron Hora (Deal-in win)
- Win with opponent's discard
- Discarding player pays all pointsWinning Hand Patterns
| Pattern | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 4 sequences/triplets + 1 pair | Most common |
| Chiitoitsu | 7 pairs | Special yaku |
| Kokushi Musou | 13 terminal/honor types + 1 | Yakuman |
| Suuankou | 4 concealed triplets + pair | Yakuman |
Calling Your Win
Declarations
"Tsumo!" (Self-draw win)
"Ron!" (Deal-in win)
"Agari" (General win announcement)Proper Procedure
1. Declare clearly
2. Reveal your hand
3. Confirm yaku
4. Calculate points
5. Exchange point sticks
6. Prepare next roundScoring Basics
Calculation Elements
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Han (yaku count) | Determines base points |
| Fu (minipoints) | Fine-tunes points |
| Dealer/non-dealer | Dealer pays/gets 1.5x |
| Tsumo/Ron | Changes payment method |
Example Scores (Non-dealer Ron)
1 han 30 fu = 1,000 points
2 han 30 fu = 2,000 points
3 han 30 fu = 3,900 points
Mangan = 8,000 pointsStrategies for Winning
Improving Win Rate
| Strategy | Description | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Fast hands | Win cheap but quick | Higher win rate |
| Multiple yaku | Keep options open | More winning chances |
| Good waits | Build good shape | Better probability |
| Using calls | Speed with melding | Faster tenpai |
Situational Priorities
1st place: Win safe, small hands are fine
2nd place: Balance speed and value
3rd place: Aim for higher value
4th place: Need mangan or betterSpecial Winning Patterns
Normal Wins
| Type | Characteristic | Representative Yaku |
|---|---|---|
| Closed hand | No calls made | Riichi, Pinfu, Menzen Tsumo |
| Open hand | Has calls | Yakuhai, Tanyao, Sanshoku |
| Ippatsu | Within 1 turn after riichi | Ippatsu |
| Last tile | Win on final tile | Haitei, Houtei |
Special Patterns
1. Chiitoitsu
- 7 pairs
- Special 25 fu calculation
2. Kokushi Musou
- All 13 terminal/honor types
- Yakuman
3. Chuuren Poutou
- 1112345678999 + any same suit
- YakumanCommon Mistakes
-
No yaku win attempt
- Complete shape but no yaku = invalid
- Results in chombo penalty
-
Furiten win attempt
- Can’t ron if waiting on your discards
- Watch for temporary furiten too
-
Wrong declaration
- Verify hand before calling
- False win = penalty
-
Missing multi-wait
- Overlooking complex waits
- Missing winning tiles
Win Rate Statistics
| Player Level | Win Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 15-20% | Learning yaku |
| Intermediate | 20-25% | Basic strategy |
| Advanced | 25-30% | Efficient building |
| Professional | 23-27% | Defense matters too |
Average Turns to Win
Fast win: Turns 6-8
Average: Turns 10-12
Slow win: Turns 14-16
Near exhaustive: Turns 17-18Related Terms
- Agari: Common term for winning
- Tsumo: Self-draw win
- Ron: Deal-in win
- Tenpai: One tile away from winning
- Furiten: Cannot ron state
Summary
Hora is the formal term for winning in mahjong, achieved by completing 4 melds + 1 pair (or special hands) with at least one valid yaku. Commonly called “agari,” there are two types: tsumo (self-draw) and ron (deal-in). Beginners should first learn basic winning shapes and understand that yaku is always required. Declare wins clearly, watch for furiten, and enjoy the satisfaction of completing your hand.