Kan (Quad) - The Special 4-Tile Meld

What is Kan?

Kan (quad) is a special mahjong action where you form a kantsu (4-tile meld) with 4 identical tiles. Regular melds are 3 tiles, but kan creates a special 4-tile meld, then you draw a replacement rinshan tile.

There are 3 types: minkan (open), ankan (concealed), and kakan (added). Each has different rules. While kandora can increase your score, there are risks too - making it an advanced technique.

Types of Kan

Kan Procedure

Kan flow:
1. Declare kan
   Say "Kan!" clearly

2. Reveal 4 tiles
   - Minkan: End 2 face down
   - Ankan: Only middle 2 visible

3. Draw rinshan tile
   1 tile from dead wall

4. Flip kandora
   New dora indicator

5. Discard
   14 tiles to 13 again

Effects of Kan

When to Kan

Good Situations

When to kan actively:
1. Want more dora
   - You have many dora
   - High-scoring hand
   - Big gamble

2. Need fu
   - 30fu → 50fu
   - Score jump

3. Special yaku
   - Rinshan kaihou
   - Sankantsu/Suukantsu
   - Fu-dependent scores

Bad Situations

Minkan (Open Kan)

Minkan features:
- Use opponent's discard
- Priority: Pon > Chi
- Breaks menzen
- 8 fu (simples) or 16 fu (terminals)

Procedure:
1. Have triplet in hand
2. 4th tile discarded
3. Declare "Kan"
4. Show 4 tiles (ends face down)

Ankan (Concealed Kan)

Kakan (Added Kan)

Kakan notes:
- Must have ponned first
- Self-draw 4th tile
- Can be chankanned
- Cancels ippatsu

Cannot kakan when:
- 4th from opponent
- Haven't ponned
- After riichi (with conditions)

Kan Risks

Main risks:
1. Benefit to opponents
   - Kandora given
   - Kan-ura too

2. Hand becomes fixed
   - Can't change
   - Defense weakens

3. Information exposed
   - Hand readable
   - Wait predictable

Risk Management

Special Kan Rules

Kan After Riichi

Conditions for post-riichi kan:
1. Ankan only
2. Wait doesn't change
3. Meld structure same

Example:
After riichi with 1m 1m 1m
Draw 1m → Can ankan

Suukansanra (4-Kan Abort)

Tactical Uses

Offensive Kan

Attacking with kan:
1. Dora hunting
   - You have many dora
   - Comeback attempt

2. Fu building
   - 2 han 30fu → 2 han 50fu
   - Big score jump

3. Yaku building
   - Path to sankantsu
   - Rinshan kaihou chance

Defensive Kan

Kan Statistics

General rates:
- Kan per round: ~15%
- Minkan: ~8%
- Ankan: ~5%
- Kakan: ~2%
- Multiple kans: ~2%

Kandora Hit Rate

Common Mistakes

1. Ankan vs Minkan confusion

   • Ankan: Keeps menzen, riichi OK
   • Minkan: Breaks menzen, no riichi
   • Fu differs significantly

2. Procedure errors

   • Can’t flip dora first
   • Can’t discard before rinshan
   • Forgetting declaration

3. Kakan conditions

   • Only after pon
   • Self-draw 4th only
   • Can’t from opponent

4. Kan limits

   • 4 kans = possible abort
   • Post-riichi restrictions
   • Dead wall stays 14 tiles

Related Terms

• Kantsu: 4-tile meld
• Rinshan-hai: Tile after kan
• Kandora: Dora from kan
• Wanpai: Dead wall (14 tiles)
• Rinshan Kaihou: Win on rinshan
• Chankan: Ron on added kan

Summary

Kan forms a special 4-tile meld with minkan, ankan, and kakan types. While kandora is tempting, it also gives dora to opponents - situation judgment is key.

Beginners should start with ankan, gradually learning kan timing. “Will kandora hit me or them?” - this gamble is part of mahjong’s depth. Follow proper procedure and consider risk/reward when using kan.