Tsumogiri (Discarding the Draw) - Key Reading Information

What is Tsumogiri?

Tsumogiri means discarding the tile you just drew without adding it to your hand. Contrasted with “tedashi” (playing from hand), it’s a key tell for reading opponents’ hands.

Frequent tsumogiri suggests a complete hand, while frequent tedashi indicates hand development - observation provides valuable information.

Tsumogiri vs Tedashi

How to Spot Tsumogiri

1. Tile position

   • Direct from wall to river
   • Not added to hand

2. Timing

   • Immediate discard
   • No thinking time

3. Hand movement

   • Single fluid motion
   • No hesitation

Common Usage

Example 1: Own play

"This is a tsumogiri"
"Hand's complete, just tsumogiri"

Example 2: Observing opponent

"3 straight tsumogiri"
"Probably tenpai"

Example 3: Reading

"Lots of tsumogiri from start"
"Must have had good haipai"

Tsumogiri Patterns

Typical Situations

1. After tenpai

Situation: Tenpai, wait unchanged
Action: Consecutive tsumogiri
Meaning: Maintaining tenpai

2. Complete shape

Situation: Ideal hand form
Action: Tsumogiri waste tiles
Meaning: Don't want to break shape

3. Folding

Situation: Avoiding danger
Action: Tsumogiri safe tiles
Meaning: Defense mode

Related Terms

• Tedashi: Playing from hand
• Dahai: Discarding action
• Tenpai: One from win
• Riipai: Arranging hand
• Kawa: Discard pile

Common Mistakes

1. Misidentifying tsumogiri

   • Confused with quick tedashi
   • Insufficient observation

2. Over-reliance

   • Tsumogiri ≠ always tenpai
   • Could be bluff

3. Own tsumogiri

   • Unconscious patterns
   • Become readable

4. Online mahjong

   • Relying on tsumogiri display
   • Doesn’t transfer to live play

Strategic Use

Reading Applications

What tsumogiri reveals:

1. Consecutive tsumogiri

   • Likely tenpai
   • Hand is set
   • Or folding

2. Early game tsumogiri

   • Good haipai
   • Clear direction
   • Defensive stance

3. Mid-game pattern changes

   • Tedashi → tsumogiri = tenpai
   • Tsumogiri → tedashi = hand broke

Managing Your Own

1. Avoid patterns

   • Occasional fakes
   • Vary rhythm

2. Natural motion

   • No unnatural pauses
   • Consistent tempo

3. Situational choice

   • Careful in key moments
   • Sometimes be obvious

Observation Points

Early Game

Check for:

• First discard speed
• Honor tile order
• Tsumogiri frequency

Can deduce:

• Haipai quality
• Target yaku
• Play style

Mid-Game Changes

Notable shifts:

1. Tsumogiri → tedashi

   • Hand broke
   • Changed direction
   • Better shape sought

2. Tedashi → tsumogiri

   • Reached tenpai
   • Shape decided
   • Switched to defense

Late Game

Key observations:

• Danger tile tsumogiri
• Safe tile tedashi
• Timing changes

Skill Levels

Beginner Traits

• Unconscious tsumogiri
• Easy to read patterns
• Obvious movements

Intermediate Efforts

• Conscious choices
• Try to confuse opponents
• Consistent rhythm

Advanced Technique

• Indistinguishable motion
• Always hand-first
• Reverse psychology

Online Mahjong

Display Systems

• Tsumogiri markers
• Color coding
• History features

Pros:

• Certain identification
• No missed tells
• Beginner-friendly

Cons:

• Different from live
• Observation skill atrophy
• Information overload

Summary

Tsumogiri - discarding the drawn tile - is a basic action but crucial information for reading hands. Beginners should understand “frequent tsumogiri = complete hand” and develop observation habits. Also maintain consistent rhythm to avoid being read. Online mahjong auto-displays tsumogiri, but live mahjong requires observation skills - practice in both environments is recommended.