What is Pon?
Pon is the act in mahjong of using a tile discarded by another player to make a triplet (koutsu: 3 identical tiles). When an opponent discards a tile matching your pair (2 identical tiles), you can declare “pon” and take that tile.
Pon is a type of “call” or “open hand” (fuuro), and is an important technique for advancing your hand quickly.
Detailed Explanation of Pon
Pon Procedure
- Have a pair: Hold 2 identical tiles in your hand
- Opponent discards same tile: The moment someone discards that tile
- Declare “Pon”: Immediately call out loud
- Reveal tiles: Show your pair and combine with discard to place 3 tiles to your right
- Discard 1 tile: Discard an unnecessary tile from your hand
Pon Priority
When multiple declarations overlap, priority order:
- Ron > Pon/Kan > Chi
- Pon can be called from anyone (chi only from left)
How to Place Ponned Tiles
Position of sideways tile shows who you called from:
| Called from | Sideways position |
|---|---|
| Left (kamicha) | Left end |
| Across (toimen) | Center |
| Right (shimocha) | Right end |
Merits and Demerits of Pon
Merits
| Merit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Hand speeds up | Only need 2 tiles, faster to tenpai |
| Easy yaku formation | Simple yaku with yakuhai pon |
| Opponent interference | Take tiles opponents want |
| Certainty | Don’t need to collect 3 yourself |
Demerits
| Demerit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Closed hand breaks | Can’t riichi, pinfu, etc. |
| Hand gets read | Hand progression revealed to opponents |
| Defense weakens | Fewer tiles make defending harder |
| Points decrease | Often lower score due to open hand |
Usage Examples
Real Game Situations
Example 1: Yakuhai Pon
"Pon!" (Holding 2 east tiles as dealer)
"Pon the hatsu for guaranteed 1 han"Example 2: Tactical Discussion
"Better to call here for quick win"
"They ponned dora to increase points"Example 3: Interference Pon
"Better pon pins to stop their flush"
"Late game, pon to prevent dealer's renchan"When to Pon / When Not to Pon
When to Pon
-
When holding yakuhai (self/seat wind, dragons)
- Easy yaku creation
- Example: Pon east as dealer in east round
-
When points are needed and urgent
- Final round needing placement improvement
- Want to stop dealer’s renchan
-
When committed to open hand
- Tanyao, sanshoku, etc.
- When holding many dora
When to Avoid Pon
-
When aiming for high points
- Target riichi, ippatsu, uradora from closed hand
- Building chinitsu or other high-scoring hands
-
When prioritizing defense
- Opponents have riichi
- Holding dangerous tiles
-
Still early with undecided hand
- Direction not settled
- Can aim for better shapes
Related Terms
- Chi: Make sequence from left’s discard
- Kan: Call for 4-tile set
- Naki: General term for calling tiles
- Fuuro: Formal name for calling
Common Mistakes and Points to Note
Points Beginners Often Mistake
-
Declaration timing
- Must declare immediately when discarded
- Invalid if next player draws
-
Discard after pon
- Cannot discard same type as ponned tile (swap calling forbidden)
- Example: After ponning 2-man, cannot discard 1 or 3-man
-
Checking yaku
- Can’t win without yaku even after pon
- Be careful especially with simples (2-8) pon
-
Hand tile count
- Maintain 13 tiles after pon
- Be careful not to have 14 tiles
Tactical Points
Using Pon Strategically
- Early game: Generally skip except for yakuhai
- Mid game: Judge based on hand direction
- Late game: Respond flexibly to situation
Reading Elements
- Infer opponent’s hand from ponned tiles
- Consider flush, toitoi, etc. possibilities
Conclusion
Pon is a fundamental mahjong technique, but its use can greatly affect outcomes. Beginners should start with yakuhai pon, then gradually learn situational usage. Being able to judge “whether to call or not” greatly expands your tactical range in mahjong.