What is Riichi (リーチ)?
Declare with a closed, ready hand and pay a 1,000-point stick — the most common yaku in the game.
Han and calls
1 han（Closed only）
How it is formed
- With a closed hand that is one tile from winning, declare riichi and put out a 1,000-point stick.
- After declaring you can no longer change your hand: every tile you draw is discarded unless it wins.
- It is worth 1 han, and it opens the door to ippatsu and the ura dora.
Example hand
Winning with this shape gives the following.
- Yaku scored：Pinfu・Riichi・Menzen tsumo
- Fu：20 fu／3 han
- Points for this example：3,900 points（Tsumo）
This one depends on the situation at the table, so there is no board example.
Yaku it combines with
Watch out
You cannot declare riichi after calling a tile. If the hand ends in a draw, your 1,000-point stick goes to whoever wins next.
Questions
How many han is Riichi?
1 han with a closed hand. Riichi does not count once you call.
Does Riichi count on an open hand?
No. It only counts on a closed hand.
Can I declare riichi at any time?
Only with a closed ready hand, at least 1,000 points to pay, and enough tiles left in the wall (four or more on this site).
Now put it to work
Last updated 2026-09-14 · Run by Qdan, Inc.