Calculating points?

[Aoitenshi]

I've been playing without knowing how to calculate points (except that 5 han is a guaranteed mangan that will net 8000 or 12000 as dealer), and recently I feel that my ignorance has costed me quite a few games.

I tried reading the wikipedia section on this, but I'm still having trouble digesting it.

- Is it possible for me to earn more than 1000 (or 1500) with just 1 han?
- Is there any situation where winning a hidden tenpai with 4 han earns the same amount of points as declaring riichi (5 han, 0 ura dora)?

Your kind feedback will be appreciated.

[aseinsha]

I believe the following to be true:

1. Is it possible to earn more than 1000 (or 1500) points with just 1 han?
Yes, it's possible. While the base point for a 1 han hand is typically low, the fu (tile value) can significantly impact the score. Here are some examples:

1 han, 40 fu: Results in 1300 points for a non-dealer (2000 points for a dealer).
1 han, 50 fu: Results in 1600 points for a non-dealer (2400 points for a dealer).
1 han, 60 fu: Results in 2000 points for a non-dealer (2900 points for a dealer).
So, by having higher fu, a 1 han hand can score well above 1000 points.

2. Can a hidden tenpai with 4 han earn the same as declaring riichi (5 han, 0 ura dora)?
Yes, this can happen in specific cases. Here's why:

The han value determines the base multiplier of the score, while fu determines the base points.
A hidden (concealed) tenpai with 4 han and high fu can score equivalently to 5 han with lower fu.
Example Scenarios:
4 han, 40 fu: Results in 7700 points (mangan), regardless of whether you declared riichi.
5 han, 30 fu: Also results in 8000 points (mangan), meaning there’s no practical difference in the payout.
Key Considerations:
Fu value impacts scoring: If you’re in a situation where your 4 han hand has higher fu than a riichi win with 5 han, the two hands can yield the same or similar points.
Mangan ceiling: Once you reach mangan (5 han or equivalent point thresholds), the score is capped at a standard value, so 4 han with enough fu (or other circumstances) can achieve a mangan as well.

Summary:
More than 1000 with 1 han? Yes, achievable with higher fu.
4 han = 5 han riichi? Possible when both hands hit mangan, where scores are capped at the same amount.

Edit - formatting.

[Aoitenshi]

Thank you for the explanation... Time for me to hit the books again.

[Aoitenshi]

Found a cheatsheet.

• open hand: 30 fu (1000 -> 2000 -> 3900 -> 7700)
  
• closed hand without pinfu: 40 fu (ron)/ 30 fu (tsumo)
  
• pinfu: 30 fu (ron) / 20 fu (tsumo)
  
• toitoi: 40 fu
  
• chiitoitsu: fixed at 25 fu (1600 -> 3200 -> 6400)

You will score more fu than listed if your hand has:

• kan
  
• one concealed triplet of terminal/honor tiles
  
• two open triplets of terminal/honor tiles
  
• one open triplet of terminal/honor tiles and one concealed triplet of simples
  
• two concealed triplets of simples

---

Source for those interested:
- Fu[riichi.wiki]
- Score table memorization[riichi.wiki]

[Сосочка-девочка]

Originally posted by Aoitenshi:

Found a cheatsheet.

there is also a spreadsheet in-game which lists han/fu calculation alongside sources of fu, it's found by tapping on the (?) button

[Aoitenshi]

Originally posted by Сосочка-девочка:

there is also a spreadsheet in-game which lists han/fu calculation alongside sources of fu, it's found by tapping on the (?) button

To this day I still can't wrap my head around that speadsheet orz

[Сосочка-девочка]

to be honest i still don't see the appeal of calculating fu except before declaring riichi which i do all the time anyway. i guess it's a big deal in irl mahjong where you gotta calculate points yourself

[Aoitenshi]

Originally posted by Сосочка-девочка:

to be honest i still don't see the appeal of calculating fu except before declaring riichi which i do all the time anyway. i guess it's a big deal in irl mahjong where you gotta calculate points yourself

Recently I missed a placement because I miscalculated and lacked 200 points.

And there are times when I could've won if I kept a hidden tenpai instead of declaring riichi (someone folded and dealt into another player with a hidden tenpai). I would have won enough points even if I didn't call riichi, but I wasn't too sure at that time.

[Aoitenshi]

All in all, it's because I was mortified after losing a few games that could have ended differently