Riichi Mahjong Tiles: Complete Guide for Western Beginners

Riichi mahjong uses 34 unique tile types, and each round you build a hand of 13 tiles (plus one draw) to form four sets and a pair. The tiles are divided into two main groups: suits (numbered tiles) and honors (winds and dragons). Understanding these tiles is the first step to enjoying the game—whether you came from anime, video games, or online play.

The Three Suits: Man, Pin, and Sou

Riichi mahjong has three suits, each numbered 1 through 9. The suits are:

• Man (Characters): These tiles show the number in Chinese characters with a red character underneath. For example, the 1 Man has a large "一" and a smaller red "一" below.
• Pin (Dots): These tiles show circles or dots. The number of dots equals the tile's value. For instance, 5 Pin has five circles.
• Sou (Bamboo): These tiles show bamboo sticks. The 1 Sou is special—it's a bird (often a peacock) instead of a single bamboo stalk. The 8 Sou shows a bamboo with a leaf pattern.

Each suit has four copies of each tile, so there are 36 tiles per suit (9 numbers × 4 copies), totaling 108 suit tiles.

How to Read a Hand

When you look at your tiles, they are usually arranged by suit and number. For example, a hand might have 2, 3, 4 Man; 5, 6, 7 Pin; and 1, 1, 1 Sou. That's three sets (a sequence or a triplet) plus a pair. The goal is to have four sets and one pair, but you also need a yaku (a winning pattern) to declare a win.

The Honor Tiles: Winds and Dragons

Honor tiles have no numbers. They are split into two groups:

• Winds: East, South, West, and North. Each wind tile shows a Chinese character. East is 東, South is 南, West is 西, and North is 北.
• Dragons: Red (Chun), Green (Hatsu), and White (Haku). The red dragon shows a red character, the green dragon shows a green character, and the white dragon is usually a blank tile or a blue border with no symbol.

There are four copies of each honor tile, so 28 honor tiles total. Adding them to the suits gives you 136 tiles in a standard riichi set.

Special Tiles: Red Fives and the Flower Tiles

Riichi mahjong often uses red fives (aka dora tiles). These are 5 Man, 5 Pin, or 5 Sou that have a red number or symbol instead of the usual color. Red fives count as one extra han (a scoring unit) if you have them in a winning hand. They are optional but common in modern play.

Riichi mahjong does not use flower or season tiles (like in American or Chinese variants). If you see those in a set, they're not part of standard riichi.

How Riichi Tiles Differ from American Mahjong Tiles

American mahjong uses the same 34 tile types, but it adds jokers and often includes flower tiles. In American mahjong, jokers are wild and can substitute for any tile. Riichi mahjong has no jokers—every tile is fixed. Also, American mahjong uses a card to define winning hands, while riichi uses fixed yaku patterns.

Building a Hand: Sequences, Triplets, and the Pair

To win in riichi, you need four sets and a pair. A set can be:

• Sequence (Shuntsu): Three consecutive numbers in the same suit, like 4-5-6 Pin.
• Triplet (Koutsu): Three identical tiles, like three 7 Sou.
• Kong (Kantsu): Four identical tiles, but that counts as one set and you draw an extra tile.

The pair (toitsu) is two identical tiles. For example, two East winds or two 3 Man.

Special Hands: Seven Pairs and Thirteen Orphans

Some winning hands don't use the standard four sets and a pair:

• Seven Pairs (Chiitoitsu): Seven different pairs, no sets. This hand is worth 2 han.
• Thirteen Orphans (Kokushi Musou): One of each honor tile and one of each 1 and 9 of each suit, plus any duplicate. This is a very rare and valuable hand.

How to Use Tiles in Gameplay

At the start, each player gets 13 tiles. On your turn, you draw a tile and then discard one. You can also claim a discard to form a set:

• Pon (triplet): Claim any discard to make a triplet.
• Chi (sequence): Claim a discard from the player to your left to make a sequence.
• Kan (kong): Claim a discard to make a kong, or extend your own triplet.

When you claim a discard, you must show the set face-up on the table. This is called an open hand, and it may limit your yaku options. If you keep your hand closed (no claims), you can declare riichi.

Etiquette with Tiles

Always keep your tiles neatly arranged. When you discard, place the tile in the center of the table, aligned in rows. It's polite to announce your discard (e.g., "1 Man") in Japanese or English, depending on your group. Don't touch other players' tiles, and never hide your discards.

Learning to Read a Hand Quickly

Practice by sorting your tiles by suit and number. Look for potential sequences (e.g., 4-5-6) and triplets. Count how many sets you have and what you need to complete them. For example, if you have 2-3 Man, you need a 1 or 4 Man to make a sequence. This is called a wait.

Next Steps

Once you're comfortable with the tiles, learn the yaku patterns and how to score. Check out our riichi mahjong scoring calculator to practice. And if you want to compare riichi with other styles, see which mahjong to learn first.

Frequently asked questions

How many tiles are in a riichi mahjong set?

A standard riichi set has 136 tiles: 34 unique types, each with four copies. This includes 108 suit tiles and 28 honor tiles. Red fives are extra but replace regular fives, not add more tiles.

What do the dragon tiles mean in riichi?

Dragons are honor tiles with no number. Red dragon (Chun) is a red character, green dragon (Hatsu) is green, and white dragon (Haku) is blank. They are used in sets and pairs, and each dragon type counts as a yaku if you have a triplet.

Can you use jokers in riichi mahjong?

No, riichi mahjong has no jokers. Unlike American mahjong, where jokers are wild, riichi uses fixed tiles only. This makes the game more about skill and strategy.

What is a red five in riichi?

A red five is a 5 Man, Pin, or Sou with a red symbol instead of the normal color. It counts as one extra han when you win with it. Red fives are optional but common in modern play.

How do I read a riichi hand?

Sort your tiles by suit and number. Look for sequences (consecutive numbers) and triplets. Identify your pair. Count how many sets you have and what you need to complete your hand. That's your wait.

Now that you know the tiles, you're ready to dive into strategy. Start with a simple practice game online to see the tiles in action. Good luck, and have fun!