What is Ryanmen Machi? Most Efficient Open Wait Pattern Explained for Beginners

What is Ryanmen Machi (Open Wait)?

Ryanmen machi (両面待ち) is a tenpai pattern that waits for 2 types of tiles on both ends of a sequence. For example, holding and waiting for or , or holding and waiting for or .

This is the most fundamental and efficient wait pattern, representing “good waits” (ryokei) and the first wait beginners should learn.

Detailed Explanation of Ryanmen Machi

Types of Ryanmen Machi

Ryanmen Machi Characteristics

Usage Examples

Real Game Situations

Example 1: Tenpai Declaration

"Riichi with ryanmen machi!"
"It's ryanmen, should come soon"

Example 2: Hand Building Evaluation

"Want to make final form ryanmen machi"
"Changed from bad wait to ryanmen"

Example 3: Wait Explanation

"Tenpai on :1m::4m: ryanmen"
"Two-sided wait with ryanmen-ryanmen"

Comparison with Other Waits

Wait Efficiency Comparison Table

How to Build Ryanmen Machi

Basic Process

1. Create ryanmen taatsu

   Draw :3m: + :4m: → :3m::4m: (ryanmen taatsu)

2. Complete 4 sets

   Collect other sets

3. Ryanmen tenpai

   :3m::4m: + completed form → waiting :2m::5m:

Changing from Bad Wait to Ryanmen

Kanchan machi: :2m::4m: → Draw :3m:
→ Ryanmen machi: :2m::3m::4m: wait :5m: (changes to :2m::5m: wait)

Related Terms

• Ryanmen Taatsu: Precursor to ryanmen machi
• Ryokei: General term for good waits
• Gukei: General term for bad waits
• Pinfu: Yaku requiring ryanmen machi
• Tamen Machi: 3+ type waits

Common Mistakes and Points to Note

Points Beginners Often Mistake

1. or are not ryanmen

   • → wait is penchan machi
   • Only through become ryanmen

2. Furiten on one side

   • wait with in furiten
   • Effectively becomes kanchan waiting only

3. Wall influence

   • wait with all four visible
   • Effectively becomes tanki waiting only

4. Ryanmen after calling

   • Does not become pinfu
   • Need to confirm yaku

Tactics Using Ryanmen Machi

Value of Riichi

Riichi with ryanmen machi offers:

• High win rate
• Expectation of ippatsu and ura dora
• Pressure on opponents

Reading Opponent’s Ryanmen

Reading opponent’s ryanmen wait:

• Suji theory: 147, 258, 369
• Ura-suji: More advanced reading
• Reading using walls

Advanced Ryanmen Forms

Sanmen Machi (Three-Sided Wait)

:2m::3m::4m::5m::6m: → waiting :1m::4m::7m:

Compound form of ryanmen waits

Nobetan

:1m::2m::3m::4m: → :1m::4m: tanki wait

Form evolved from ryanmen

Importance of Ryanmen Machi

Why is Ryanmen Fundamental?

1. Probability advantage

   • 8 tile acceptance
   • About 2× efficiency

2. Basic tactics

   • Guideline for hand building
   • Standard for riichi judgment

3. Yaku compatibility

   • Mandatory for pinfu
   • Easy combination with other yaku

Ryanmen Machi Statistics

Professional Wait Selection

• Ryanmen selection rate: About 70%
• Win rate with good waits: About 40%
• Win rate with bad waits: About 20%

Conclusion

Ryanmen machi is the most fundamental and important wait pattern in mahjong. With the maximum acceptance of 8 tiles, it directly leads to pinfu, a basic yaku. For beginners, thinking first about creating ryanmen machi and aiming for good waits over bad waits is the shortcut to improvement. Mastering ryanmen machi is the first step toward playing efficient mahjong.