Sekinin-barai (Pao) - Responsibility Payment for Yakuman

What is Sekinin-barai?

Sekinin-barai (responsibility payment) is a rule where the player who enables certain yakuman through their discard must pay part or all of the points. Also called “Pao,” it applies to hands like Daisangen and Daisuushii.

If you let someone complete a yakuman by discarding the enabling tile, you bear heavy financial responsibility.

When It Applies

Target Yakuman

Payment Structure

Daisangen (Non-dealer)

Daisangen Example

How It Triggers

1. Player A pons White
2. You discard Green
3. Player A pons Green (2nd dragon)
4. Later, Player A completes Daisangen

→ YOU have responsibility payment

Payment Examples

Non-dealer Daisangen Tsumo:

Normal payment:
Dealer 16,000, non-dealers 8,000 × 2

With Pao:
Responsible: 32,000, others: nothing

Non-dealer Daisangen Ron:

Normal payment:
Ron target: 32,000

With Pao:
Responsible: 16,000
Ron target: 16,000

Daisuushii Example

How It Triggers

1. Player A pons East and South
2. You discard West
3. Player A pons West (3rd wind)
4. Later, Player A completes Daisuushii

→ YOU have responsibility payment

Double Yakuman Pao

Defense Against Pao

Basic Defense

1. 1 meld = caution

   • Don’t discard dragons
   • Don’t discard winds

2. 2 melds = absolute block

   • Never feed the 3rd
   • Full defense mode

3. Check your hand

   • Secure safe tiles
   • Plan disposal

Counting Tiles

Dragon check:
White: You 1, visible 2, opponent pon (3)
Green: You 2, visible 1, opponent ?
Red: You 1, visible ?, opponent ?

→ Watch remaining Green and Red

Common Mistakes

1. Target yakuman range

   • Not all yakuman
   • Mainly Daisangen/Daisuushii

2. Payment calculation

   • Tsumo = full responsibility
   • Ron = split 50/50

3. Trigger timing

   • 2nd pon enables
   • 1st pon doesn’t trigger

4. Rule existence

   • Varies by region
   • Confirm beforehand

Using Pao Pressure

Intimidation Effect

1. Fear factor

   • Opponents won’t discard
   • Forces defensive play

2. Tile control

   • Reduce remaining tiles
   • Gain advantage

3. Lock completion

   • Get fed on purpose
   • Confirm yakuman

Rule Variations

Related Terms

• Daisangen: Main pao target
• Daisuushii: Pao target
• Yakuman: Limit hands
• Pon: Call action
• Houjuu: Normal deal-in

Summary

Sekinin-barai (Pao) makes the player who enables yakuman through their discard pay all or half the points. Mainly applies to Daisangen (2nd dragon enables) and Daisuushii (3rd wind enables). Tsumo = full payment, Ron = split. Beginners should remember “2 melds = never feed” and be extremely careful with dragons and winds when opponents have one call. Pao represents mahjong’s strategic depth around high-value hands.