What is Kazoe?
Kazoe (counted yakuman) refers to a hand with 13 or more han achieved through regular yaku combinations. When you reach 13+ han, it’s treated as yakuman with the same points (dealer 48,000, non-dealer 32,000).
Called “kazoe” (counting) because you “count up to 13 han,” it differs from specific yakuman like Kokushi Musou by combining multiple regular yaku.
Kazoe Yakuman Conditions
| Condition | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Han count | 13+ han | Yaku + dora total |
| Yaku types | No restrictions | Any combination OK |
| Points | Same as yakuman | Dealer 48,000, Non-dealer 32,000 |
| Calling | Allowed | Consider kuisagari |
Han to Points Relationship
| Han | Category | Dealer | Non-dealer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-5 | Mangan | 12,000 | 8,000 |
| 6-7 | Haneman | 18,000 | 12,000 |
| 8-10 | Baiman | 24,000 | 16,000 |
| 11-12 | Sanbaiman | 36,000 | 24,000 |
| 13+ | Kazoe Yakuman | 48,000 | 32,000 |
Common Kazoe Patterns
High-Han Yaku Base
| Base Yaku | Additional Elements | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Chinitsu (6 han) | +Toitoi +5 dora | 13 han |
| Honitsu (3 han) | +Toitoi +Sanankou +5 dora | 13 han |
| Junchan (3 han) | +Sanshoku +Iipeikou +Riichi +Tsumo +3 dora | 13 han |
Heavy Dora Patterns
| Combination | Breakdown | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Riichi Tsumo Pinfu Tanyao +9 dora | 1+1+1+1+9 | 13 han |
| Chiitoitsu Tsumo +10 dora | 2+1+10 | 13 han |
Building Toward Kazoe
Basic Strategy
-
Use high-han yaku as base
- Chinitsu (6/5 han)
- Honitsu (3/2 han)
- Toitoi + Sanankou
-
Maximize dora
- Dora triplets/quads
- Include red dora
- Kan for more dora
-
Stack multiple yaku
- Sanshoku + others
- Iipeikou + others
- Tanpin combinations
Common Mistakes
-
Miscounting han
- Overlooking dora
- Forgetting red dora
- Missing ura-dora
-
Ignoring kuisagari
- Called hands reduce han
- Accurate calculation needed
-
Exactly 13 confusion
- 13+ all count as kazoe
- 14, 15 han = same points
-
Yakuman confusion
- Different from regular yakuman
- Doesn’t become double yakuman
When to Aim for Kazoe
Ideal Starting Hands
- 4+ dora tiles
- Chinitsu potential
- Multiple yakuhai pairs
- Good shape tenpai candidates
Worth Pursuing
- 11-12 han already visible
- High value hand developing
- Points desperately needed
Time to Abandon
- Dora unusable
- Opponents too fast
- Sanbaiman is sufficient
Related Terms
- Yakuman: Maximum score hands
- Sanbaiman: 11-12 han score
- Dora: Key to reaching kazoe
- Chinitsu: Common kazoe base
Summary
Kazoe is achieving yakuman-level points by combining regular yaku to reach 13+ han. Unlike specific yakuman, it offers flexibility through various combinations. Beginners should remember “13+ han = kazoe yakuman” and focus on high-han yaku with maximum dora utilization. Chinitsu or toitoi as a base, combined with as much dora as possible, is the path to kazoe yakuman.