What is Yakuhai? Dragons and Winds Usage Explained for Beginners

What is Yakuhai (Honor Triplets)?

Yakuhai (役牌) is a fundamental mahjong yaku worth 1 han, established simply by collecting 3 specific honor tiles (making a triplet). One of the easiest yaku to make and valid even when calling, it’s a practical yaku used by everyone from beginners to advanced players.

Honor tiles that can be yakuhai fall into 3 categories: “dragons,” “round winds,” and “seat winds,” each with different conditions.

Detailed Explanation of Yakuhai

Types of Honor Tiles That Become Yakuhai

Wind Yakuhai Determination Table

◎ = 2 han (double wind), ○ = 1 han

Double Wind (Renfon)

When round wind and seat wind match, 2 han:

• Dealer in east round with east triplet → 2 han
• South player in south round with south triplet → 2 han

Usage Examples

Real Game Situations

Example 1: Early Game Judgment

"Have 2 greens, let's aim for yakuhai"
"East round so pon east for quick win"

Example 2: Calling Timing

"White came out! Pon this to confirm yaku"
"Not my wind, let's pass on this west"

Example 3: Defensive Usage

"Progress safely with yakuhai backup"
"Restrict opponent's yakuhai, don't let them out"

How to Build Yakuhai

Basic Strategy

1. Value pairs when you have them

   • Dragon pairs are highest priority
   • Self/round wind pairs also important

2. Actively pon

   • Effective for quick win with confirmed yaku
   • Stable defensively too

3. Aim for multiple yakuhai

   • Both white and red, etc.
   • Increases probability

Pon Judgment Criteria

Related Terms

• Jihai: General term for honors
• Sangenpai: Dragons (white, green, red)
• Kazehai: Winds (east, south, west, north)
• Koutsu: Triplet of 3 identical tiles
• Pon: Call to make triplet

Common Mistakes and Points to Note

Points Beginners Often Mistake

1. Wind confusion

   • Confuse self wind and round wind
   • South player in east round pon south = still only 1 han

2. 2 tiles don’t make yaku

   • Must have 3 tiles (triplet)
   • Pair (2 tiles) isn’t yakuhai

3. Confusion with guest wind

   • Wind that’s neither round nor self wind
   • Example: South for west player in east round

4. Confusion with daisangen

   • 1 dragon type 3 tiles = yakuhai (1 han)
   • 3 dragon types 9 tiles = daisangen (yakuman)

Yakuhai Tactics

Yakuhai Advantages

1. Easy to make

   • Just collect 3 tiles
   • Valid even when calling

2. High defensive power

   • Yakuhai pairs relatively safe
   • Creates hand flexibility

3. Easily overlaps with dora

   • When honors are dora
   • Can expect high points

Yakuhai Disadvantages

1. Low points

   • Basic 1 han
   • Need combination with other yaku

2. Easily read

   • Hand revealed when ponning
   • Opponents become defensive

3. Hand gets heavy

   • Honors easily isolated
   • Shape tends to worsen

Combining Yaku

Commonly Combined Yaku

Special Combinations

Double Yakuhai (2 han)

• Double wind (dealer in east round, etc.)
• Round wind and seat wind match

Triple Yakuhai (3 han)

• Theoretically impossible
• Yakuhai maximum is 2 han

Practical Tips

Early Game Direction

1. Check honor pairs

   • Yakuhai pairs highest priority
   • Consider other yaku if none

2. Check round and your wind

   • Dealer in east round is advantageous
   • Double wind opportunity

3. Relationship with dora

   • Honor dora compatible with yakuhai
   • Actively aim for it

Mid-Game Onward Judgment

• Pon timing: More effective in early turns
• Multiple aims: Aim for 2 types like white and green
• Switch: Move to other yaku if yakuhai is difficult

Conclusion

Yakuhai is one of mahjong’s most fundamental and practical yaku. While the simplicity of “just collect 3 specific honor tiles” exists, judging which honors become yakuhai, pon timing, and combinations with other yaku contain mahjong’s basic thinking. Beginners should start by learning dragons (white, green, red), then gradually master wind usage. It’s no exaggeration to say that mastering yakuhai means mastering mahjong basics.