What is Riichi (Ready Hand)?
Riichi (立直) refers to the act of declaring tenpai (one tile away from winning) in mahjong, and the 1 han yaku that results from this declaration. By placing a 1,000 point stick on the table and declaring “riichi,” you inform other players that you are in tenpai.
Riichi is one of the most distinctive features of Japanese mahjong (riichi mahjong) and is a crucial element that brings tension and strategic depth to the game.
Detailed Explanation of Riichi
Conditions for Declaring Riichi
To declare riichi, you must meet all of the following conditions:
- Closed hand (menzen) (no chi, pon, or kan calls)
- In tenpai (one tile away from winning)
- At least 1,000 points available
- At least 4 tiles remaining in the wall
Riichi Procedure
- Declare “riichi” during your discard turn
- Place the discarded tile sideways
- Place a 1,000 point stick in the center of the table
- Afterwards, can only discard drawn tiles (cannot change hand)
Merits of Riichi
| Merit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Becomes 1 han yaku | Riichi itself is a yaku, guaranteeing 1 han |
| Uradora bonus | Can benefit from uradora when winning |
| Ippatsu possibility | Winning within 1 turn after riichi adds ippatsu |
| Pressure on opponents | Effect of hindering other players’ development |
Demerits of Riichi
| Demerit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Hand becomes locked | Can only discard drawn tiles, cannot change hand |
| 1,000 point deposit | Lose 1,000 points if you don’t win |
| Cannot defend | Must discard even dangerous tiles |
| Hand is revealed | Opponents know you are in tenpai |
Usage Examples
Real Game Situations
Example 1: Riichi Declaration
"Riichi!" (while placing 1,000 point stick)Example 2: Winning After Riichi
"Tsumo! Riichi, tsumo, 1 dora, 1 uradora - mangan"Example 3: Tactical Discussion
"Better to declare riichi here than dama"
"Dealer's riichi is scary, I'll fold"Riichi Tactics
When to Declare Riichi
- Low-value hands: Increase scoring with riichi
- Good wait shapes: Open-ended waits that are easy to complete
- Early turns: Can aim for ippatsu and uradora benefits
- Final round needing comeback: Aim for scoring increase
When to Avoid Riichi
- Already high-value hand: Mangan or higher without riichi
- Bad wait shapes: Penchan, kanchan, or honor tile waits
- When leading in points: No need to force the issue
- Need to discard dangerous tiles: High deal-in risk
Related Terms
- Tenpai: One tile away from winning
- Damaten: Tenpai without declaring riichi
- Ippatsu: Winning within 1 turn after riichi
- Uradora: Bonus tiles when winning with riichi
Common Mistakes and Points to Note
Points Beginners Often Mistake
-
Trying to riichi after calling
- Cannot riichi after pon, chi, or kan
- Closed hand is required
-
Trying to change hand after riichi
- Can only discard drawn tiles after riichi
- Must discard all non-winning tiles
-
Trying to riichi with less than 1,000 points
- Minimum 1,000 points required
- Cannot riichi without sufficient points
-
Furiten riichi
- Can declare riichi even in furiten
- However, cannot win by ron (tsumo only)
Psychological Warfare with Riichi
Dealing with Opponents’ Riichi
- Discard genbutsu: Tiles matching riichi player’s discards are safe
- Read suji: Anticipate open-ended waits
- Push-fold decision: Decide whether to compete or fold based on your hand
Conclusion
Riichi is considered the highlight of mahjong, bringing tension and drama to the game. Beginners should first learn the basic rules of riichi, then gradually learn the timing for declaring it. Mastering riichi usage will significantly increase your enjoyment of mahjong.