What is Mangan? Points, Requirements, and How to Build Explained for Beginners

What is Mangan?

Mangan (満貫) is a point threshold in mahjong, worth 8,000 points for non-dealer (child) and 12,000 points for dealer (parent). When the base points calculated from han (doubles) and fu reach 2,000 or more, it becomes mangan, and no further detailed calculation is needed.

Mangan is a significant scoring milestone in mahjong. Achieving a mangan hand brings great satisfaction and is the first high-scoring target beginners should aim for.

Detailed Explanation of Mangan

Mangan Point Values

Conditions for Mangan

Mangan conditions (any of these):
1. 3 han with 70+ fu
2. 4 han with 40+ fu
3. 5+ han (regardless of fu)

Examples:
- 3 han 70 fu = Mangan
- 4 han 30 fu = Mangan (rounded up)
- 5 han 20 fu = Mangan
- Yakuman = 4× Mangan equivalent

Point Calculation Structure

Usage Examples

Real Game Situations

Example 1: Declaring Mangan

"Riichi, Tsumo, Dora 3 - Mangan!"
"Tanyao, Pinfu, Sanshoku, Dora - Mangan"
"Three yakuhai for Mangan"

Example 2: Mangan Payment

"Child mangan tsumo, 2,000-4,000"

Example 3: Aiming for Mangan

"I have Dora 2, just need 2 more han for Mangan"
"3 han here, 70 fu would make it Mangan"
"If I riichi, Mangan is guaranteed"

Related Terms

• Haneman: 1.5× Mangan (12,000/18,000 points)
• Baiman: 2× Mangan (16,000/24,000 points)
• Sanbaiman: 3× Mangan (24,000/36,000 points)
• Yakuman: 4× Mangan (32,000/48,000 points)
• Fu: Point calculation element
• Han: Yaku value unit

Common Mistakes and Points to Note

Points Beginners Often Mistake

1. Overlooking Rounded-Up Mangan

   • 4 han 30 fu is also Mangan
   • Calculation: 7,700 → 8,000 points
   • Called “kiriage mangan”

2. Fu Calculation Misconception

   • 5+ han doesn’t need fu calculation
   • Automatically becomes Mangan or higher
   • Pinfu is always 30 or 20 fu

3. Tsumo vs Ron Point Difference

   • Tsumo: All players pay
   • Ron: One player pays
   • Total is the same

4. Dealer vs Non-dealer Difference

   • Dealer gets 1.5× points
   • Payment is also 1.5×
   • Understand “all” meaning

Yaku Combinations for Mangan

Representative Mangan Patterns

Paths to Mangan

3-han route (requires high fu):
- Yakuhai × 3 (1 han each)
- Toitoi(2) + Yakuhai(1)
- Sanankou(2) + Yakuhai(1)

4-han route (medium fu OK):
- Riichi(1) + Ippatsu(1) + Tsumo(1) + Dora 1
- Tanyao(1) + Sanshoku(2) + Dora 1
- Honitsu(3) + Yakuhai(1)

5-han route (fu doesn't matter):
- Riichi(1) + Tsumo(1) + Dora 3
- Tanyao(1) + Pinfu(1) + Iipeikou(1) + Dora 2
- Chinitsu(6) alone makes Haneman

Fu Calculation and Mangan

When Fu Matters

Scoring Tiers Above Mangan

Point Progression

Han Count and Points

1-2 han: Calculated by fu
3-4 han: Mangan depends on fu
5 han: Mangan guaranteed
6-7 han: Haneman
8-10 han: Baiman
11-12 han: Sanbaiman
13+ han: Kazoe yakuman

Conclusion

Mangan is an important scoring unit of 8,000 points for child and 12,000 for parent, achieved at 3 han 70+ fu, 4 han 40+ fu, or 5+ han. It’s a significant milestone in mahjong and the first high-scoring target beginners should aim for.

Building mangan requires combining yaku, utilizing dora, and sometimes understanding fu calculation. Whether through Riichi-Tsumo-Dora combinations or multiple yakuhai, there are various paths to mangan. Being able to consistently achieve mangan is an important indicator of mahjong improvement.