What are Sangenpai? The Three Dragon Tiles Explained for Beginners

What are Sangenpai (Dragon Tiles)?

Sangenpai (三元牌) refers to the three types of dragon tiles in mahjong: white (haku), green (hatsu), and red (chun). “Sangen” represents the three elements of heaven, earth, and humanity. When any of these tiles form a triplet (3 identical tiles), they unconditionally become yakuhai (honor triplets).

Unlike wind tiles, dragons always grant 1 han regardless of who uses them, making them easy for beginners to handle and playing an important role in mahjong.

Detailed Explanation of Sangenpai

Types and Meanings of Sangenpai

Basic Properties of Sangenpai

Sangenpai characteristics:
1. Always become yakuhai
   - Regardless of round/seat winds
   - 1 han guaranteed for anyone

2. Compatibility with high-scoring yaku
   - Shousangen (2 han)
   - Daisangen (yakuman)

3. Safe tiles in early game
   - Relatively safe right after deal
   - Caution needed mid-game onward

Difference Between Sangenpai and Wind Tiles

Usage Examples

Real Game Situations

Example 1: Basic Usage

"Pon white for guaranteed yaku"
"Call green for quick win"
"Completed concealed red triplet"

Example 2: Strategic Conversation

"Called two dragon tiles"
"Watch out for daisangen"
"Dragon dora is strong"

Example 3: Regarding Yaku

"Shousangen tenpai"
"Dragon tile is double east"
"Win with yakuhai green"

Related Terms

• Jihai: General term for honor tiles
• Yakuhai: Honor triplets that become yaku
• Shousangen: 2 dragon triplets + 1 pair
• Daisangen: 3 dragon triplets, yakuman
• Kazehai: Four wind tiles
• Koutsu: Three identical tiles

Common Mistakes and Points to Note

Points Beginners Often Mistake

1. Misunderstanding yakuhai conditions

   • Pairs don’t become yaku
   • Must have 3 tiles (triplet)
   • 4 tiles (quad) also works

2. Overconfidence as safe tiles

   • Only relatively safe early
   • Fresh tiles (no discards) are dangerous
   • Be cautious even with 2 visible

3. Reading mistakes

   • Hatsu not “ha” (correct: “hatsu”)
   • Chun not “naka” (correct: “chun”)
   • Haku not “shiro” (correct: “haku”)

4. Priority misunderstanding

   • Not always top priority
   • Overall hand balance important
   • Discard immediately for tanyao

Sangenpai Strategy

How to Handle Sangenpai

Basic strategy:
1. Keep if you have pair
   - Pon for guaranteed yaku
   - Speeds up hand

2. Discard isolated tiles early
   - Before opponent calls
   - Process while safe

3. Beware multiple pairs
   - Shousangen possibility
   - Daisangen also in sight

Situation-Based Judgment

Yaku Involving Sangenpai

Yaku Requiring Sangenpai

Compatible Yaku

Yaku compatible with sangenpai:
- Toitoi (all triplets)
- Sanankou (3 concealed triplets)
- Honitsu (half flush)
- Honroutou (all terminals/honors)

Calling Judgment for Sangenpai

Advantages of Calling

Reasons to actively call:
1. Guaranteed 1 han
   - Avoid no-yaku
   - Secure minimum points

2. Speed priority
   - Quick tenpai
   - Pressure on opponents

3. Change game flow
   - Disrupt opponent rhythm
   - Ippatsu cancel effect too

When Not to Call

Defensive Aspect of Sangenpai

Danger Level Changes

Danger by turn:
Early game (turns 1-5):
- Relatively safe
- Turn 1 especially OK even unsafe

Mid game (turns 6-12):
- Fresh tiles risky
- Consider with 1 discarded

Late game (turn 13+):
- Extremely dangerous
- Avoid unless genbutsu

Reading from Opponent’s Dragons

Special Usage of Sangenpai

Aiming for Daisangen

Path to daisangen:
1. 2+ dragon pairs in starting hand
2. Collect remaining type aggressively
3. Yakuman stays even when calling
4. But defense drastically decreases

Note: Pao (responsibility payment) rule
- Person who let you call 2nd dragon responsible
- Also called sekinin-barai

Dragons as Bluff

Sangenpai Etiquette and History

Historical Background

Origin of sangen:
- Ten'gen (white): Heavenly principle
- Chi'gen (green): Earth's blessing
- Jin'gen (red): Human endeavor

Originates from Chinese sancai philosophy

Regional Differences

Sangenpai Statistics

Sangenpai Occurrence Rate

Probability in starting hand:
- 1+ dragon type: About 65%
- Dragon pair: About 15%
- Dragon concealed triplet: About 0.5%
- 2 type pairs: About 2%

Win Rate as Yakuhai

Conclusion

Sangenpai are the three special dragon tiles - white, green, and red - that always become yakuhai for anyone, making them beginner-friendly tiles. Forming triplets guarantees 1 han and can develop into high-scoring yaku like shousangen or daisangen.

Beginners should start by actively calling when dragon pairs form. However, remember that while safe early, they become dangerous tiles late game. Mastering sangenpai usage enables stable mahjong play.