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What is riichi in mahjong?

Riichi is a move in Japanese mahjong: when your concealed hand is one tile from winning, you bet a 1,000-point stick to declare "riichi," locking your hand in exchange for bonus scoring. It is also the name of the Japanese ruleset itself.

The word "riichi" is used two ways:

• The declaration. In Japanese mahjong, once your hand is fully concealed and just one tile away from completion (tenpai), you may declare riichi — placing a 1,000-point betting stick and turning your discard sideways. Your hand is then locked (you must discard whatever you draw unless it wins), and in return riichi counts as a yaku and unlocks hidden bonus dora if you win.
• The ruleset. Because this move is so central, the whole modern Japanese game is called Riichi mahjong — as opposed to Hong Kong, Taiwanese, or Chinese Official.

Riichi is a signal and a gamble: it announces you are ready to win, presses your opponents to play defensively, but commits your hand and your 1,000 points.

Last reviewed 2026-08-23.

© 2026 Steven Eka Halim · Mahjiku records game points only.