Suuankou Tanki - The Ultimate Single-Wait Suuankou

What is Suuankou Tanki?

Suuankou Tanki is the special form of Suuankou where you wait on a single tile (tanki) for the pair instead of the usual shanpon wait. The hardest form of four concealed triplets, often counted as double yakuman.

Requirements

Example Hand

Hand: 222m 555p 888p 999s 4
Wait: 4s (tanki)

Hand: 111m 333m 777p EEE W
Wait: W (tanki)

Double Yakuman Value

Point Calculation

Double Yakuman:

Dealer: 96,000 pts (32,000 all)
Non-dealer: 64,000 pts (16,000・32,000)

= 2× regular Suuankou

Why Tanki Is Special

Ron Validity

1. Tanki = Ron OK

   • 4th ankou already complete
   • Just waiting for pair
   • Double yakuman achieved

2. Shanpon Ron

   • Becomes toitoi only
   • Not suuankou
   • Not yakuman

Building Strategy

Ideal Starting Hands

1. Many pairs

   • 4+ pairs
   • Easy ankou conversion
   • Tanki achievable

2. Honor pairs

   • Hard to steal
   • Easy to complete
   • Good tanki candidate

3. Terminal pairs

   • Less used
   • Easy ankou
   • Strong defense

Progression

Early: Collect pairs
  ↓
Mid: Confirm ankou
  ↓
Late: Create tanki shape

Creating Tanki

Technique

1. 5th pair

   • Cut one tile
   • Create tanki
   • Plan carefully

2. Use honors

   • Keep until end
   • Easy tanki
   • Hard to read

3. Ankan judgment

   • Can confirm tanki
   • Adds dora
   • Timing matters

Probability

Statistics:

• All Suuankou: ~0.05%
• Suuankou Tanki: ~0.01%
• Opening hand tanki: ~0.00001%

Comparison:

Psychology

Impact

1. Unreadable

   • Discards hide it
   • Pair-heavy unclear
   • Defense impossible

2. Double yakuman fear

   • Massive points
   • Instant reversal
   • Psychological crush

3. No calls

   • Sudden win
   • Unpredictable
   • Maximum shock

Common Mistakes

1. Wait confusion

   • Shanpon ≠ tanki
   • Double only for tanki
   • 4 ankou insufficient

2. Pon temptation

   • Pon = invalid
   • Becomes toitoi
   • Stay patient

3. Forced tanki

   • Don’t overreach
   • Shanpon→tanki difficult
   • Plan from start

4. Rule check

   • Some rules = single
   • Confirm beforehand
   • Double adoption

Local Rules

Triple Yakuman

• Extremely rare
• 3× points
• Almost never seen

Single Treatment

• Old rules
• No distinction
• Same as regular

Related Terms

• Suuankou: Regular form
• Tanki Machi: Single wait
• Double Yakuman: 2× value
• Shanpon Machi: Pair wait
• Yakuman: Limit hands

Summary

Suuankou Tanki is the hardest yakuman form - 4 concealed triplets with single-tile wait for the pair. Usually double yakuman, worth twice regular suuankou. At ~0.01% occurrence, it’s nearly impossible to deliberately achieve, but the joy of completion is unmatched. Beginners should understand suuankou first, then learn “tanki wait = extra value.” Suuankou Tanki represents the pinnacle of mahjong achievement.