Rinshan-hai - The Replacement Tile After Kan

What is Rinshan-hai?

Rinshan-hai (replacement tile) is the special tile drawn after declaring kan. Part of the dead wall, these 4 tiles are reserved for kan declarations. Winning on a rinshan-hai creates the yaku “Rinshan Kaihou” (1 han).

“Rinshan” means “on the mountain ridge,” referring to special tiles atop the wall.

Rinshan-hai Location

Dead Wall Structure (from right):
╔══════════════╗
║  Upper: □□□□□■■  ║  ■ = Rinshan-hai
║  Lower: □□□□□■■  ║  □ = Dora indicators
╚══════════════╝

Drawing Order

Kan #	Position	Note
1st	Rightmost	First rinshan
2nd	2nd from right	Second rinshan
3rd	3rd from right	Third rinshan
4th	4th from right	Last rinshan

All Kan Types Use Rinshan

Every kan draws rinshan-hai:
1. Daiminkan (open kan) → Rinshan draw
2. Ankan (concealed kan) → Rinshan draw
3. Kakan (added kan) → Rinshan draw

Rinshan Kaihou Yaku

Aspect	Detail
Value	1 han
Condition	Win on rinshan-hai
Combinations	Combines with other yaku
Requirement	Must kan first

Example

Declare kan
→ Draw rinshan-hai
→ That tile completes hand
→ Rinshan Kaihou!

Ex: Kan white, draw red dragon from rinshan
    Yakuhai + Tsumo + Rinshan = 3 han

Common Mistakes

Drawing order wrong
- Always from right
- Don’t pick random spot
Forgetting to draw
- Must draw after kan
- Forgetting = chombo
Wrong location
- Far right of dead wall
- Don’t confuse with dora
Counting error
- Exactly 4 tiles
- 5th kan impossible

Strategic Kan Timing

Situation	Approach	Reason
Dora increases	Kan actively	Score boost
Rinshan aim	Kan near tenpai	Chance for yaku
Defense	Lock safe tiles	Better defense
Late game	Be careful	Fewer draws

Tips for Rinshan Kaihou

1. Create tenpai shape
   - Maintain tenpai after kan
   - Wide wait preferred

2. Kan yakuhai
   - Kan concealed triplet
   - Guarantees yaku

3. Timing
   - Kan when near tenpai
   - Improves odds

Special Rules

Near wall exhaustion
- Rinshan may run out
- Some kans become impossible
5th kan
- Usually prohibited
- Four kan flow possible
Dora flip
- New dora on kan
- Under rinshan area

Dead Wall: Contains rinshan tiles
Kan: 4-tile declaration
Rinshan Kaihou: Win on rinshan
Dora: Increases on kan
Chankan: Ron on added kan

Summary

Rinshan-hai is the special tile drawn after kan, reserved as part of the dead wall (4 tiles total). Drawing this tile and winning creates Rinshan Kaihou (1 han). Beginners should learn the position (right side of dead wall), drawing order, and always draw after kan. While luck-based, strategic kan timing can increase your chances. The feeling of winning on a rinshan-hai is one of mahjong’s exciting moments.