What is Tehai?
Tehai (hand tiles) refers to the tiles each player holds during a mahjong game. Normally consisting of 13 tiles (14 on your draw turn), you combine these tiles to form yaku and aim for a winning hand.
Hand tiles are kept hidden from other players, and you arrange them (riipai) efficiently while playing.
Hand Tile Details
Tile Count
| Situation | Count | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | 13 tiles | Others’ turns |
| On draw | 14 tiles | After drawing |
| Winning | 14 tiles | 4 melds + 1 pair |
| After kan | 13 tiles | Before replacement |
Hand Components
Complete hand structure:
- Melds (Mentsu) ×4 = 12 tiles
- Pair (Jantou) ×1 = 2 tiles
- Total = 14 tiles
Meld types:
- Sequence (Shuntsu): 3 consecutive (e.g., 123)
- Triplet (Koutsu): 3 identical (e.g., 111)
- Quad (Kantsu): 4 identical (special)Hand States
| State | Description | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Menzen | No calls made | 13 tiles |
| Fuuro | Calls made | 10 or fewer |
| Tenpai | One from winning | 13 tiles |
| Iishanten | One from tenpai | 13 tiles |
Common Usage
Describing Hand State
Example 1: Hand condition
"My hand is scattered" (disorganized)
"Many pairs in hand" (multiple pairs)
"Hand is shaping up" (approaching completion)Example 2: Hand management
"Arrange the hand" (riipai)
"Reveal the hand" (on win)
"Discard from hand" (tile selection)Riipai (Arranging) Tips
Basic Arrangement
Recommended order:
1. Manzu → Pinzu → Souzu → Honors
2. Numbers in order (1→9)
3. Honors: ESWN then Dragons
Example:
[123m][235p][2456s][EE][W]Arrangement Methods
| Method | Benefit | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| By suit | Easy to see | General |
| By groups | Shape clarity | Intermediate+ |
| Edge focus | Spot waste tiles | Defense focus |
| Random | Hard to read | Advanced |
What to Avoid
Bad habits:
- Lifting tiles high (visible)
- Making noise (clicking)
- Taking too long (slow play)
- Too regular pattern (readable)Hand Progression
From Deal to Win
| Stage | Hand State | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Deal | Scattered 13 | Set direction |
| Early | Removing waste | Create shapes |
| Mid | Melds forming | Aim for tenpai |
| Late | Near tenpai | Win or defend |
Evaluating Hands
Good hand traits:
- Many pairs/taatsu
- Connected numbers
- Few terminals/honors
- Has dora
Bad hand traits:
- Many isolated tiles
- Mostly terminals/honors
- Scattered numbers
- No suit concentrationHand Patterns
Meld Combinations
| Pattern | Composition | Suited for |
|---|---|---|
| Sequence | Mostly runs | Pinfu, Sanshoku |
| Triplet | Mostly sets | Toitoi |
| Mixed | Balanced | Flexible |
| Pairs | 7 pairs | Chiitoitsu |
Completed Forms
1. Standard (4 melds + 1 pair)
Ex: 123m 456p 789s 111z 99m
2. Seven pairs (7 pairs)
Ex: 11m 33m 55p 77p 99s EE CC
3. Kokushi (13 terminal/honor types)
Ex: 19m19p19s ESWN WGR + 1Common Mistakes
-
Count errors
- Always 13 after deal
- Extra/missing tiles = penalty
- Return to 13 after kan
-
Riipai mistakes
- Sort by suit
- Keep hidden from others
- Number order within suits
-
Exposing tiles
- Don’t show until win
- Accidental exposure = seen tile
- May result in chombo
-
After calling
- Called melds to the right
- Don’t mix with hand
- Count carefully
Related Terms
Summary
Tehai (hand tiles) is the core element of mahjong - 13 tiles (14 on draw) that you manage while aiming to win. Proper riipai makes tiles easy to read, and efficient meld formation is the first step to improvement. Beginners should master tile count management and basic arrangement, gradually learning efficient shape-making.