What is Tenpai? Meaning, Shapes, and Verification Methods Explained for Beginners

What is Tenpai (Ready Hand)?

Tenpai (聴牌) refers to the state in mahjong where one more specific tile will complete your winning hand. Your 13-tile hand is organized, waiting for the 14th tile (winning tile).

Tenpai is written as 聴牌 in kanji, meaning “listening for tiles.” It expresses the tense state of being just one step away from winning.

Detailed Explanation of Tenpai

Basic Tenpai Shapes

Normal tenpai takes the following forms:

1. 4 sets + pair wait: Waiting for the tile to complete the pair
2. 3 sets + 1 pair + 1 set wait: Waiting for tiles to complete the final set

Types of Tenpai and Waits

Multiple Waits

Shapes waiting for 3 or more tile types are called multiple waits:

• 3-way wait: Example) 23456 waits for 1, 4, 7
• 4-way wait: Example) 2223456 waits for 1, 4, 7, 8
• Nobetan: Example) 1234 waits for 1 or 4 as tanki

Usage Examples

Real Game Situations

Example 1: Tenpai Report

"Tenpai! Just need 4-sou"
"Finally tenpai, but it's a bad wait"

Example 2: Game End

"Paying noten (not tenpai) penalty"
"Everyone's tenpai, exhaustive draw"

Example 3: Tactical Discussion

"Iishanten (one away from tenpai), which to discard?"
"With this hand, should reach tenpai in 2 turns"

How to Verify Tenpai

Beginner’s Checklist

1. Count sets: Are there 3 complete sets (sequences/triplets)?
2. Confirm pair: Is there 1 pair?
3. Check remaining shape: Verify taatsu (proto-sets) or pair shapes
4. Identify wait tiles: Confirm what tiles will complete the hand

Common Tenpai Shapes

Example 1: Ryanmen Wait Tenpai
123 456 789 11 23 → Waits for 1 or 4

Example 2: Shanpon Wait Tenpai
234 567 33 55 88 → Waits for 3, 5, or 8

Example 3: Kanchan Wait Tenpai
111 345 678 99 13 → Waits for 2

Related Terms

• Riichi: Declaring tenpai as a yaku
• Iishanten: One tile away from tenpai
• Noten: Not in tenpai
• Damaten: Tenpai without declaring riichi

Common Mistakes and Points to Note

Points Beginners Often Mistake

1. Confusing with keishiki tenpai

   • Even without yaku, it’s still called tenpai
   • However, cannot win without yaku

2. Overlooking furiten

   • Still tenpai even if wait tile is in your discards
   • But furiten means cannot win by ron

3. Misreading waits

   • Easy to overlook wait tiles in complex shapes
   • Multiple waits require special attention

4. Beware of chombo

   • Declaring riichi when not in tenpai
   • Declaring tenpai when noten

Techniques to Reach Tenpai Faster

Efficient Play

1. Value ryanmen taatsu: 23, 45, 67 etc. easily become good waits
2. Discard isolated tiles first: 1, 9, honor tiles that are hard to use
3. Block theory: Be conscious of 5 blocks (4 sets + 1 pair)
4. Consider safety: Fast tenpai is meaningless if you deal in

Conclusion

Tenpai is the critical moment in mahjong and when the game becomes most exciting. Beginners should first memorize basic wait shapes and become able to accurately judge whether their hand is in tenpai. Understanding tenpai shapes will enable efficient hand development and make mahjong even more enjoyable.