What is Naki? General Term for Pon, Chi, and Kan Explained for Beginners

What is Naki (Calling Tiles)?

Naki (鳴き) is the general term for taking opponent discards to make sets (mentsu) in mahjong. Formally called “fuuro” (副露), there are three types: pon, chi, and kan.

Calling allows quick hand progression, but reveals part of your hand and prevents closed-hand yaku like riichi. Judging whether to call based on situations is an important mahjong strategy.

Detailed Explanation of Naki

Types and Priority of Naki

Basic Naki Rules

Naki flow:
1. Opponent discards tile
2. Caller declares
3. Reveal matching tiles from hand
4. Take discard and place right
5. Discard unwanted tile

Important rules:
- Declare immediately after discard
- Cannot cancel once called
- Priority exists (Ron > Kan > Pon > Chi)
- Cannot change called tiles

Merits and Demerits of Naki

Usage Examples

Real Game Situations

Example 1: Naki Declarations

"Pon!" (Making triplet with pair)
"Chi!" (Making sequence from kamicha)
"Kan!" (Making quad with 3 tiles)

Example 2: Naki Judgment

"It's yakuhai, better call"
"Tanyao confirmed, so chi"
"Want to riichi, won't call"

Example 3: Naki Strategy

"Late game, call for speed"
"Pon dora for high points"
"Call to disrupt opponent's tenpai"

Related Terms

• Pon: Call pair for triplet
• Chi: Call from kamicha for sequence
• Kan: Call for quad
• Fuuro: Formal name for calling
• Menzen: Not called state
• Sarashi: Revealing called tiles

Common Mistakes and Points to Note

Points Beginners Often Mistake

1. Chi direction mistake

   • Only from left (kamicha)
   • Cannot from across or right
   • Pon/kan OK from anyone

2. Priority misunderstanding

   • Simultaneous = priority decides
   • Ron > Kan > Pon > Chi
   • First to speak is invalid

3. Forgot call / too late

   • Invalid if next player draws
   • Don’t call if unsure
   • Cannot say “wait, actually”

4. Overlooking kuisagari

   • Some yaku han decrease
   • Sanshoku: 2 han → 1 han
   • Tanyao doesn’t decrease

Details of Each Naki

Pon Characteristics

Pon conditions:
- Pair in hand (2 same tiles)
- Anyone's discard OK
- Becomes triplet (3-tile set)

Easy to pon tiles:
- Honors (especially yakuhai)
- Dora
- Terminals (1, 9)

Chi Characteristics

Kan Characteristics

Kan types:
1. Daiminkan (open kan)
   - Concealed triplet in hand, kan with opponent's tile

2. Ankan (concealed kan)
   - Kan with 4 tiles in hand

3. Kakan (added kan)
   - Add 4th tile to ponned set

Naki Strategy

When to Call

When Not to Call

Should maintain menzen when:
- Good starting hand (riichi aim)
- Pinfu/tsumo visible
- Still early game
- Flush/chinitsu aim
- Should consider defense

Naki Techniques

Misepon/Misechi

Tactic of not calling even when possible to hide hand. Also has effect of alerting opponents.

Naki Timing

Early naki:
- When urgent
- When yaku confirmed
- When want to disrupt

Late naki:
- Don't want hand read
- Want better waits
- Consider defense too

Kuishikake (Call Setup)

Naki Effects

Effects on Hand

Changes after calling:
- Hand reduces to 10 or fewer
- Revealed part cannot change
- Defense weakens
- Hand progresses faster

Effects on Opponents

Naki Manners

Proper Calling Method

1. Declaration timing

   • Right after discard
   • Speak clearly
   • Quick without hesitation

2. Revealing method

   • Arrange neatly
   • Place taken tile sideways
   • Place on right

3. Discarding

   • Discard 1 as normal
   • Don’t take too long
   • Don’t touch revealed tiles

Things Not to Do

NG actions:
- Later saying "actually, I'll call"
- Changing revealed tiles
- Voice too quiet
- Timing too late
- Revealing wrong tiles

Conclusion

Naki is an important technique of using opponent discards to make sets, with 3 types: pon, chi, and kan. While it can speed up hands, there are demerits like losing closed-hand yaku, making situation judgment important.

Beginners should start with yakuhai pon, gradually learning to use chi and kan too. Mastering both when to call and when not to call enables more strategic mahjong. Maintaining proper manners and smooth calling is also important.