What is Ryuukyoku?
Ryuukyoku (exhaustive draw) means a hand ends with no player winning. The most common type is when the wall runs out (except dead wall), but special conditions can also cause draws.
Ryuukyoku isn’t just a tie - tenpai payments and dealer continuation make it strategically significant.
Types of Ryuukyoku
| Type | Condition | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Wall exhaustion | 14 dead wall tiles remain | Most common |
| Kyuushu Kyuuhai | 9+ terminal/honor types at start | Rare |
| Suufon Renda | Same wind discarded 4x turn 1 | Very rare |
| Suukaikan | 4 kans by 2+ players | Extremely rare |
| Suucha Riichi | All 4 players riichi | Ultra rare |
| Triple Ron | 3 players ron same discard | Rule dependent |
Tenpai Payments (Noten Bappu)
| Tenpai count | Receive/Pay | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tenpai | 3 pay 1,000 each | +3,000 |
| 2 tenpai | 2 pay 1,500 each | +1,500 |
| 3 tenpai | 1 pays 1,000 each | +1,000 |
| 0 or 4 | No change | ±0 |
Tenpai Declaration Process
Correct procedure:
1. All players turn hands down
2. Declare "Tenpai" or "Noten"
3. Tenpai players reveal hands
4. Verify waits
5. Exchange paymentsDealer Continuation Rules
| Dealer status | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tenpai | Continues | +1 honba |
| Noten | Rotates | Next dealer |
| All noten | Continues | Varies by rule |
| All tenpai | Continues | Rare case |
Strategic Use of Ryuukyoku
When to aim for draw
Effective situations:
1. Large lead
- Protect position
- Avoid risks
2. Stop dealer
- South 4 dealer
- Suspect big hand
3. Close oorasu
- Noten penalty reversal
- 1,000 point battlesKeishiki Tenpai Importance
| Situation | Decision | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Late noten | Prioritize tenpai | 3,000 gap is big |
| Cheap hand | Get tenpai | Better than penalty |
| Many dangers | Depends | Balance with deal-in |
Special Draws Explained
Kyuushu Kyuuhai
Conditions:
1. 9+ terminal/honor types at deal
2. Before first draw
3. No calls made
4. Optional (can continue)
5. Dealer continuesSuufon Renda
| Condition | Detail |
|---|---|
| Turn 1 | First round only |
| Same wind | All 4 discard same |
| No calls | Invalidated if called |
| Immediate | Draw occurs instantly |
Suukaikan
Conditions:
- 4 kans by 2+ players
- 5th kan impossible
- Immediate draw
- Rule variations existCommon Mistakes
-
Dead wall handling
- Always keep 14 tiles
- Even with kan, maintain 14
- Last tile undrawn
-
Tenpai declaration
- Must show hand
- No yaku still counts
- False claim = penalty
-
Point calculation
- Riichi sticks carry over
- Tenpai payments separate
- Dealer tenpai = continue
-
Special draws
- Kyuushu Kyuuhai optional
- Suufon Renda turn 1 only
- Rules vary
Related Terms
- Tenpai: One tile from winning
- Noten: Not in tenpai
- Keishiki Tenpai: Formal tenpai
- Wanpai: 14 dead wall tiles
- Haitei: Last draw tile
Summary
Ryuukyoku is when no one wins the hand, most commonly from wall exhaustion. Being tenpai earns points while noten pays, and dealer tenpai continues the deal. Beginners should learn “14 dead wall tiles remain” and “show hand for tenpai.” The endgame around ryuukyoku showcases mahjong’s strategic depth - whether to chase a cheap tenpai or risk for bigger hands.