What is Menzen? The Basics of Non-Calling Mahjong Explained for Beginners

What is Menzen?

Menzen (門前) refers to a state where you haven’t called any tiles from other players’ discards. Also called “menzenchin” (門前清), it means you’re progressing your hand using only your draws from the starting hand.

Many yaku are menzen-only, and it’s advantageous in scoring, making it an important concept in basic mahjong strategy.

Detailed Explanation of Menzen

Difference Between Menzen and Fuuro

Advantages of Menzen

Benefits of menzen:
1. All yaku available
2. Can declare riichi
3. +10 fu for menzen ron
4. Hand is harder to read
5. Uradora rights

Main Menzen-Only Yaku

Usage Examples

Real Game Situations

Example 1: Status Confirmation

"Tenpai in menzen"
"Deciding whether to break menzen"
"Keep menzen for riichi"

Example 2: Strategic Conversation

"Aiming for high hand in menzen"
"Call for quick win"
"Stuck too much to menzen"

Example 3: About Yaku

"Need menzen for pinfu"
"Menzen chinitsu is 6 han"
"Menzen tsumo adds 1 han"

Related Terms

• Fuuro: Making calls to reveal hand
• Naki: General term for chi, pon, kan
• Riichi: Basic menzen-only yaku
• Ankan: Kan that maintains menzen
• Kuisagari: Han reduction from calling
• Damaten: Menzen tenpai without riichi

Common Mistakes and Points to Note

Points Beginners Often Mistake

1. Ankan Treatment

   • Ankan maintains menzen
   • Only when you gathered all 4 tiles yourself
   • Minkan breaks menzen

2. Overvaluing Menzen

   • Calling is sometimes necessary
   • Speed is also important
   • Balance is key

3. Forgetting Yaku Restrictions

   • Tanyao can be called (rule-dependent)
   • Yakuhai OK to call
   • Flush hands can call

4. Too Fixated on Menzen

   • Causes slow hands
   • Increased deal-in risk
   • Flexibility needed

Menzen Strategy

When to Choose Menzen

Situations where menzen is effective:
1. Good starting hand
   - Sets already formed
   - Many dora
   - High hand visible

2. Time available
   - Early to mid game
   - Dealer turn
   - Comfortable point lead

3. Menzen yaku visible
   - Pinfu potential
   - Can make iipeikou
   - Sanshoku or ittsu possible

When to Call

Balancing Menzen and Calling

Judgment by Hand Type

Hands to keep menzen:
- Riichi + other yaku
- Pinfu type
- Iipeikou type
- High score potential

Hands OK to call:
- Yakuhai only
- Toitoi type
- Honitsu・Chinitsu
- Tanyao (rule-dependent)

Impact on Scoring

Menzen Mind Games

Characteristics of Menzen Players

Information that can be read:
1. Possibly good hand
   - Aiming for high score
   - Holding dora

2. Riichi possibility
   - Sudden attack
   - Ippatsu, uradora

3. Defensive power
   - All tiles available
   - Many safe tiles

Tactics Against Menzen Players

Menzen Rate and Skill

Menzen Rate by Play Style

Menzen rate guide:
- Beginner: 70-80% (don't know how to call)
- Intermediate: 50-60% (balanced)
- Advanced: 40-50% (situational)
- Defensive: 60-70% (riichi-focused)
- Offensive: 30-40% (speed-focused)

Meaning of Menzen Rate

Mastering Menzen

How to Master Menzen

Points for improvement:
1. Starting hand judgment
   - Instantly decide if menzen works
   - Judge if calling is better

2. Waiting for hand changes
   - Wait for good shape change
   - Keep yaku possibilities

3. Patience
   - Don't give in to temptation
   - Long-term perspective

Philosophy of Menzen

Menzen in Modern Mahjong

Menzen in Digital Age

Online mahjong trends:
- Slightly higher menzen rate
- Time limit effects
- Data analysis spread
- Pursuing optimal plays

Differences by Rules

Conclusion

Menzen is the state of not having called any tiles from others, a fundamental and important concept in mahjong. Many yaku like riichi and pinfu are menzen-only, and scoring is advantageous, but depending on the situation, calling for quick wins is also important.

Beginners should start by declaring riichi in menzen, then gradually learn when to call. Balancing menzen and fuuro is an important step toward mahjong improvement.