What is Sanankou? Three Concealed Triplets Explained for Beginners

What is Sanankou?

Sanankou (三暗刻), meaning “Three Concealed Triplets,” is a 2-han yaku in mahjong where you have 3 ankou (closed triplets) in your hand. An ankou is a triplet of the same tile made without calling - collecting 3 tiles yourself. Having 3 of these completes the yaku.

It often combines with toitoi and requires a balance of luck and skill. It’s also a romantic yaku with potential to develop into suuankou (four concealed triplets).

Detailed Explanation of Sanankou

Conditions for Sanankou

Ankou vs Minkou

Important Note for Ron

When winning by ron, a triplet completed by the ron tile is treated as minkou (open):

Hand: 111m 333p 555s 22m 789s
Wait: 2m (shanpon wait)

Ron on 2m → 222m is minkou → Only 2 ankou, sanankou fails
Tsumo 2m → 222m is ankou → 3 ankou, sanankou success

Usage Examples

Real Game Situations

Example 1: Strategy

"Many pairs, going for sanankou"
"Got 2 ankou, one more!"

Example 2: Calling decisions

"Aiming for sanankou so I won't pon"
"Can call for the sequence part"

Example 3: Wait selection

"Shanpon wait doesn't guarantee sanankou"
"Switching to ryanmen to confirm sanankou"

How to Make Sanankou

Basic Strategy

1. Value your pairs

   • Build ankou from pairs
   • Discard isolated tiles early

2. Be careful with pon

   • Don’t pon ankou candidates
   • Call only for 4th set or sequences

3. Work your wait

   • Avoid shanpon wait
   • Ryanmen confirms sanankou

Sanankou Confirmation Patterns

Related Terms

• Ankou: Self-made triplet
• Minkou: Pon’d triplet
• Toitoi: Often combined
• Suuankou: 4 ankou yakuman
• Koutsu: Triplet of same tiles

Common Mistakes and Points to Note

Points Beginners Often Mistake

1. Counting pon’d triplets

   • Minkou don’t count for sanankou
   • Only self-made triplets

2. Ron misunderstanding

   • Shanpon ron requires attention
   • Ron tile’s triplet becomes minkou

3. Ankan also counts

   • 4-tile use counts as 1 ankou
   • Closed kan still allows sanankou

4. Difference from toitoi

   • Sanankou: 3 ankou (sequences OK)
   • Toitoi: All triplets (minkou OK)

Yakus that Combine with Sanankou

Often Combined

Development Path

Road to Suuankou:

• Add 1 more ankou to sanankou
• Dream of yakuman
• Tanki wait = double yakuman

Strategic Points

When to Aim for Sanankou

1. Many pairs in starting hand

   • 4+ pairs is promising
   • Especially honor pairs

2. Want defensive play

   • Ankou are relatively safe
   • Closed hand keeps options

3. Balance with toitoi

   • Choose based on situation
   • Sanankou is more defensive

Pros and Cons of Sanankou

Pros:

• 2 han for good score
• Combines with toitoi easily
• Suuankou potential
• Defensive (ankou are safe)

Cons:

• Ankou are hard to make
• Shanpon wait disadvantage
• Readable (pair discards)
• Limited calling

Practical Tips

Efficient Creation

1. Early: Secure pairs

   • Value your pairs
   • Process isolated tiles

2. Mid: Decide form

   • Prioritize sanankou confirmation
   • Consider calling if needed

3. Late: Wait selection

   • Ryanmen ideal
   • Avoid shanpon

Decision Points

When to give up sanankou:

• Not enough pairs
• Too many sequences
• Better alternative hands

When to pursue:

• 2 ankou confirmed
• Dora involved
• Suuankou possible

Conclusion

Sanankou is a 2-han yaku for collecting 3 self-made triplets. Similar to toitoi but harder due to the ankou requirement. Especially important is that shanpon wait + ron doesn’t confirm sanankou. Beginners should remember “pon’d triplets don’t count” and “ron needs attention,” then develop a style that nurtures ankou. From sanankou, suuankou isn’t just a dream!