Kamicha (Left Player) - The Player on Your Left

What is Kamicha?

Kamicha refers to the player seated to your left in mahjong. Since mahjong progresses counter-clockwise, kamicha is the player who discards immediately before you.

Kamicha is the only player you can chi from (to make sequences), while they can pon/kan your discards. Understanding this position is fundamental to mahjong strategy.

Seating Positions

Mahjong table layout (your perspective):

        Toimen (across)
              ↑
    Kamicha ← You → Shimocha
    (left)         (right)

Direction: Counter-clockwise (←)

Relationship with Kamicha

Aspect	Content	Importance
You can chi	Make sequences from their discards	High
They can pon you	Take your discards for triplets	High
Tile flow	Kamicha → You → Shimocha	Medium
Defense focus	Watch kamicha most closely	High

Positions Compared

Position	From You	You Can	They Can
Kamicha	Left	Chi	Pon/Kan
Shimocha	Right	Nothing	Chi/Pon/Kan
Toimen	Across	Nothing	Pon/Kan

Chi and Kamicha

Chi Rules

Chi conditions:
1. Only from kamicha (left)
2. Have 2 tiles to make sequence
3. Declare "Chi"
4. Priority: Ron > Pon/Kan > Chi

Example: Hand has 2m 3m
Kamicha discards 1m → Can chi

Chi Decision Points

Factor	Should Chi	Avoid Chi
Yaku	Confirmed	None
Hand speed	Big improvement	Small gain
Score situation	Need fast win	Hunting high value
Turn count	Late game	Early game

Reading Kamicha

Information to Watch

Kamicha observation:
1. Discard order
   - Hand tendencies
   - Target yaku

2. Calling activity
   - Call frequency
   - Hand speed

3. Discard timing
   - Tsumogiri vs tedashi
   - Tenpai likelihood

Countering Kamicha

Situation	Counter	Reason
Kamicha riichi	Prioritize genbutsu	Avoid direct hit
Flush suspected	Block that suit	Disrupt progress
Many calls	Secure safe tiles	Defensive play
Damaten suspected	Play cautiously	Avoid surprise ron

Attack Strategy Using Kamicha

Offensive Use

Attacking through kamicha:
1. Chi for speed
   - Confirm tanyao
   - Build sanshoku

2. Information gathering
   - Read their hand
   - Identify danger tiles

3. Push/fold decisions
   - Based on their status
   - Risk management

Defensive Awareness

Watch Point	Content	Counter
Deal-in	To kamicha	Manage genbutsu
Information leak	Your hand revealed	Vary discard order
Being ponned	Your discards taken	Save key tiles for last

Kamicha Changes by Round

Seat Wind and Kamicha

East 1 example:
- East's kamicha: North
- South's kamicha: East
- West's kamicha: South
- North's kamicha: West

*Changes as rounds progress

Dealer and Kamicha

You Are	Kamicha Is	Note
Dealer	Last dealer	Wants to stop your repeat
South	Dealer	Watch dealer’s moves
Last dealer	North	They become dealer next

Practical Kamicha Reading

Early Game Observation

Checkpoints:
1. First discards
   - Which honors
   - Any terminals

2. First 5 turns
   - Hand direction guess
   - Progress speed

3. Dora handling
   - Early cut or holding
   - High value potential

Mid-Late Game Reading

Kamicha Action	Inference	Your Response
More safe tiles	Wary of others	Attack chance
More tedashi	Near tenpai	Prepare defense
Keeping honors	Yakuhai/honitsu	Watch those tiles

Psychological Play

Pressuring Kamicha

Pressure tactics:
1. Quick discards
   - Appear confident
   - Psychological pressure

2. Cutting "dangerous" tiles
   - Show strength
   - But actually safe ones

3. Prepare to call
   - Make them worry about chi
   - Restrict their discards

Common Mistakes

Left/right confusion
- Kamicha is left (counter-clockwise)
- Shimocha is right
- Follow turn direction
Chi restrictions
- Only from kamicha
- Not from toimen or shimocha
- Different from pon
Wrong pronunciation
- Not “ueya”
- “Kamicha” is correct
- Mahjong terms are unique
Strategic misunderstanding
- Kamicha is crucial
- Most to watch
- Most information available

Shimocha: Right player
Toimen: Across player
Chi: Sequence call from kamicha only
Pon: Triplet call from anyone
Kawa: Discard area

Summary

Kamicha is the player to your left, the only one you can chi from. In counter-clockwise mahjong, you can observe kamicha’s moves most closely, making them both strategically important and someone to watch carefully.

Beginners should firmly learn “kamicha = left” and “chi only from kamicha.” Observe their discards well to identify safe tiles - this is the first step to defense. Understanding kamicha position leads to more strategic mahjong.