Riichi Mahjong
Play riichi mahjong (Japanese mahjong) online for free — riichi declaration, dora tiles and yaku-based scoring against smart AI, right in your browser.
Mahjong Rules Guide
Select your preferred variant and learn its unique rules
Japanese Riichi Mahjong Rules
Japan's most popular competitive variant with riichi declaration and dora system
OOverview
Riichi Mahjong is Japan's most popular variant, known for its rigorous rule system and unique riichi declaration. It's considered one of the most competitive mahjong variants worldwide.
TTiles
Uses 136 tiles without flowers or seasons. Includes three suits (Man, Pin, Sou 1-9), four winds, and three dragons.
WWinning
Winning hands need at least one yaku: riichi counts, as does a concealed-hand self-draw win; on a ron (or with an open hand) you need a scoring pattern such as Tanyao, Yakuhai, Pinfu, Sanshoku, Honitsu or Toitoi. Dora never counts as the required yaku.
SScoring
Uses a simplified han ladder with no fu count: 1 han = 1000, 2 han = 2000, 3 han = 3900, 4 han = 7700, 5 han = 8000 (mangan), 6-7 han = 12000, 8-10 han = 16000, 11-12 han = 24000, 13+ han = 32000 (yakuman-class). Riichi adds 1 han; dora and ura-dora indicators add han each. A tsumo win splits the payment three ways.
Special Rules
Special features include: riichi declaration (pay 1000 points to declare ready), furiten (cannot ron on tiles in your own discard pond), ura-dora for riichi winners, plus ippatsu (win within one go-around of declaring, with no calls in between), double riichi (declaring on your very first discard) and kan-dora (each kan reveals an extra dora indicator). Scoring is simplified — there is no fu count and no honba sticks; each riichi stick pays 1000 to its winner.
Riichi mahjong is the four-player Japanese form of the game: 136 tiles, the riichi declaration, dora bonus tiles, mandatory yaku and fu-based scoring. You win with four melds and a pair — but only if the hand contains at least one yaku. Points come from fu and han, and a self-draw win splits the payment across all three opponents.
How to Play Riichi Mahjong
If you know the basic draw-and-discard loop, these four rules are what make it Japanese mahjong:
- 1
Win with a yaku
Four melds plus a pair is not enough by itself — the hand must contain at least one yaku (a scoring pattern). Riichi, tanyao and yakuhai are the usual first ones to learn.
- 2
Use the dora
Dora indicators are revealed during play; every matching tile in your hand adds one bonus han. Dora only counts if the hand also has a yaku.
- 3
Declare riichi
When your fully concealed hand is tenpai (one tile from winning), you may declare riichi: bet 1,000 points, lock your discards, and gain 1 han plus a chance at hidden ura-dora.
- 4
Settle by fu and han
Wins are scored on a simplified han ladder. On a self-draw win the three opponents share the payment; on a discard the discarder pays the full amount. Each riichi stick adds 1000 to its winner.
Riichi Mahjong Rules
Japanese mahjong in one breath: 136 tiles, hands of four sets plus a pair — and, unlike most variants, every winning hand must contain at least one yaku. Dora tiles add bonus han, furiten blocks careless wins, and the riichi declaration locks your hand in exchange for extra rewards. Read the complete riichi mahjong rules →
Riichi Mahjong Yaku List
The yaku list is the heart of the game: from 1-han workhorses like riichi and tanyao to the twelve yakuman, each pattern carries its own han value — and han plus fu decide your points at showdown. Browse the full yaku list with han values and scoring →
Frequently Asked Questions
Have another question? Let us know.
What is the difference between riichi mahjong and Japanese mahjong?
They are two names for the same game. "Japanese mahjong" describes the national game; "riichi mahjong" names it after riichi — the signature ready-hand declaration — and is the term most competitive players use.
What is riichi?
Riichi is a declaration you make when your fully concealed hand is tenpai (one tile from winning). You bet 1,000 points, your discards are locked, and the declaration itself is worth 1 han — it is the most famous move in the game.
How many yaku do I need to win?
At least one. Unlike Hong Kong or American mahjong, a complete hand shape alone does not win — you need a yaku such as tanyao, yakuhai or riichi itself. Dora tiles add value but never count as the required yaku.
What is a dora tile?
Dora are bonus tiles indicated by face-up indicator tiles during the round. Each dora tile in your winning hand adds one han, but only if the hand also contains a yaku. Hidden ura-dora are revealed for hands that declared riichi.
Is this table good for beginners?
Yes — you play against AI with riichi declaration, dora and fu-based scoring built in. Start with the How to Play steps above, keep the yaku table handy, and try declaring riichi once your hand is one tile away.
