What is Noten Bappu?
Noten Bappu (No-Ten Penalty) is the point payment made by non-tenpai players to tenpai players when a round ends in a draw (ryuukyoku). The standard rule distributes 3,000 points from noten players to tenpai players.
This penalty encourages active play and ensures the game doesn’t stagnate with everyone playing defensively.
Payment Calculation
| Noten Count | Each Noten Pays | Each Tenpai Gets |
|---|---|---|
| 1 noten | 3,000 | 1,000 each (3 tenpai) |
| 2 noten | 1,500 each | 1,500 each (2 tenpai) |
| 3 noten | 1,000 each | 3,000 (1 tenpai) |
| 4 noten | Nothing | Nothing |
| 0 noten | Nothing | Nothing |
Examples
Case 1: One Noten
A: Tenpai (+1,000)
B: Tenpai (+1,000)
C: Tenpai (+1,000)
D: Noten (-3,000)Case 2: Two Noten
A: Tenpai (+1,500)
B: Tenpai (+1,500)
C: Noten (-1,500)
D: Noten (-1,500)Case 3: Three Noten
A: Tenpai (+3,000)
B: Noten (-1,000)
C: Noten (-1,000)
D: Noten (-1,000)Why Noten Bappu Exists
Game design purposes:
1. Promotes offense
- Can't just defend
- Reward for building hands
2. Maintains tension
- Don't give up
- Every draw matters
3. Reflects skill
- Tenpai speed
- Hand-building ability
4. Creates small advantages
- Ranking impacts
- Point accumulationStrategic Considerations
When to Accept Noten
| Situation | Action | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Riichi threat | Accept noten | Deal-in worse |
| Large lead | Safe noten | Protect lead |
| Too far behind | Noten okay | Penalty won’t help |
| Dangerous tiles only | Fold | Risk too high |
When to Push for Tenpai
| Situation | Action | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Close rankings | Push tenpai | 3,000 matters |
| Dealer position | Maintain tenpai | Renchan consideration |
| Others likely noten | Get tenpai | Collect payment |
| Oorasu | Tenpai priority | Final chance |
Penalty vs Deal-in
Risk calculation example:
Situation: Riichi called, you're 1-shanten
Option 1: Push dangerous tile for tenpai
Risk: Mangan deal-in (-8,000)
Reward: Avoid penalty (+1,000 to +3,000)
Option 2: Fold safely
Risk: Noten penalty (-1,000 to -3,000)
Reward: Avoid deal-in
→ Usually folding is correctDealer Considerations
| Dealer State | Result | Next Round |
|---|---|---|
| Tenpai | Renchan (some rules) | Dealer continues |
| Noten | Dealer passes | Next player |
| Payment | Normal penalty | - |
Local Rule Variations
| Rule Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 3,000 pool | Most common |
| Light | 2,000 pool | Less impact |
| Heavy | 4,000 pool | More impact |
| None | 0 | Some house rules |
Common Mistakes
-
Just declaring
- Must show hand
- Verification required
-
1-shanten confusion
- 1 away from TENPAI = still noten
- Must be ready to win
-
Forgetting payment
- Not automatic
- Calculate yourself
-
All noten situation
- No exchange
- Dealer passes
Related Terms
- Noten: Not in tenpai
- Tenpai-ryou: Tenpai payment (reverse)
- Keishiki-tenpai: Shape-only tenpai
- Ryuukyoku: Draw
Summary
Noten Bappu is the penalty paid by non-tenpai players to tenpai players on a draw, distributing 3,000 points based on who achieved tenpai. While the amounts seem small, they accumulate and can affect rankings. Judge when tenpai is worth pursuing vs when noten is safer. Small as they are, noten penalties add strategic depth to mahjong’s endgame.