1 han · closed only
Riichi
Ready hand. Announce that your closed hand is one tile from winning.
Closed1 hanOpenNot allowedHow oftenVery common
How Riichi works
When your closed hand is tenpai (one tile away from complete), you can declare riichi as you discard. Turn the discard sideways and put a 1,000-point stick on the table.
From then on your hand is locked: every tile you draw that doesn't win must be discarded straight away.
Example hand
Hand
Ron after riichi
Riichi 11 han 40 fu · 1,300non-dealer ron
Scored by the same engine that runs the game: seat South, round East, no dora. Try your own in the hand calculator.
Good to know
- You need 1,000 points or more and at least 4 tiles left in the wall.
- If someone rons the tile you declared with, the riichi doesn't count and you keep the 1,000.
- Opens the door to ippatsu and ura dora, which only riichi hands can get.
- Passing on a winning tile after riichi makes you furiten for the rest of the hand: you can only win by tsumo.
- A closed kan is allowed after riichi only with the tile you just drew, and only if it doesn't change your waits.
- The stick goes to whoever wins the hand. On a draw it stays on the table for the next winner.
TipThe easiest yaku in the game. If your closed hand has no other yaku and a decent wait, riichi is usually right.
Quick answers
How many han is Riichi?
Riichi is worth 1 han and needs a closed hand.
Can Riichi be open?
No. Riichi only counts with a closed hand: no chi, pon or open kan.
How common is Riichi?
Very common. Announce that your closed hand is one tile from winning.