Big Three Winds

What Is Big Three Winds

Big Three Winds is a potent 12-fan hand in Chinese Mahjong, achieved by collecting pungs (or kongs) of three different Wind tiles plus one additional meld and one pair. Its relatively high value and the limited nature of Wind tiles make it a challenging yet rewarding target. Players who spot multiple Winds in their opening hand may capitalize on the potential for a large payoff—especially if they can meld quickly and possibly layer additional fan (like seat/round wind pungs or All Pungs). While you risk revealing your plan and facing defensive play from opponents, a successfully completed Big Three Winds hand can deliver a decisive score boost.

The Tile Pattern of Big Three Winds

Three Wind Pungs: To fulfill “Big Three Winds,” your winning hand must contain three separate pungs (or kongs) of three different Winds. Each pung is three (or four, if turned into a kong) identical Wind tiles, for example:

• East East East
• South South South
• West West West

One Additional Meld + One Pair: A standard Mahjong hand in Chinese Official rules consists of:

• Four melds (sets) + one pair
• The three Wind pungs count as three of those melds.
• Therefore, you need exactly one more meld (which can be a chow, pung, or kong of any other tile) and one pair to complete the 14-tile structure.

Fan Value of Big Three Winds

In Chinese Mahjong scoring, Big Three Winds is worth 12 fan. This is relatively high, easily surpassing the typical 8-fan minimum needed to declare a legal winning hand at many tables. The rarity of collecting three separate Wind pungs justifies its valuable payout.

Strategies and Considerations of Big Three Winds

Count Your Wind Tiles: If you start with multiple copies of different Winds (e.g., two East, two West, one South), you might pursue Big Three Winds.

Matching Seat or Round Wind: You can gain extra fan for pungs of your own seat wind or the prevailing round wind, so factor in those small bonuses if relevant.

Defending Your Wind Sets: Because Winds are limited tiles (there are only 4 of each), be mindful when discarding or passing them. Once opponents see you collecting multiple Winds, they may hold back or avoid discarding them.

Revealing Your Hand: If you call (meld) early for a Wind pung, you may signal your aim for a large honor-based hand. Opponents could adjust their strategy to block you.

Concealed vs. Exposed:

• If you remain concealed, you might combine with bonuses like “Fully Concealed Hand” (additional fan).
• However, often you must call (pung) openly to secure enough copies of each Wind. This can speed up your collecting but also alerts opponents.

All Honors: If your pair and/or your fourth set also use honor tiles (Winds or Dragons) exclusively, you might approach an “All Honors” pattern. However, that typically leads to different or higher-scoring hands (like “Big Four Winds” or “Little Four Winds” if involving Dragons).

Seat/Prevalent Wind: You also get extra fan for a pung/kong of the seat wind and round wind. This bonus stacks on top of “Big Three Winds.”

Timing & Flexibility

• Watch for Missing Wind: If the table discards too many copies of a certain Wind you need, you may have to pivot to a different pattern.
• Focus on Secure Pungs: Because obtaining three distinct pungs of Winds is your main objective, do not be afraid to call a pung when you see the chance. Speed often outweighs the advantage of staying concealed in such a specialized hand.