Lower Tiles

What Is Lower Tiles

Lower Tiles is a high-value 24-fan hand in Chinese Mahjong, mandating that all 14 tiles be ranks 1, 2, or 3 in any suits, with no higher ranks or honor tiles. This constraint allows only 1–2–3 chows or pungs/kongs of 1, 2, or 3, making the hand both rare and challenging. By identifying abundant low tiles early, discarding everything outside 1–3, and carefully managing meld opportunities, you can build toward this lucrative pattern. Opponents, once alerted, may withhold key low tiles, but the reward for completion—24 fan—can reshape the entire game in your favor.

The Tile Pattern of Lower Tiles

Lower Tiles is a winning hand in which all 14 tiles belong to the lowest ranks: 1, 2, or 3.

You cannot use:

• Any ranks above 3 (i.e., 4–9)
• Any honor tiles (winds or dragons)

Example：

• Chow of 1–2–3 Bams (1 B, 2 B, 3 B)
• Chow of 1–2–3 Dots (1 D, 2 D, 3 D)
• Pung of 3 Craks (3 C, 3 C, 3 C)
• Chow of 1–2–3 Craks (1 C, 2 C, 3 C)
• Pair of 2 Bams (2 B, 2 B)

Fan Value of Lower Tiles

Under Chinese Mahjong rules, “Lower Tiles” is worth 24 fan. This high scoring reflects the difficulty of confining your entire hand to ranks 1, 2, or 3:

• Limited chow option (only 1–2–3).
• Any pungs/kongs must be exclusively 1, 2, or 3.
• You cannot include any 4+ tiles or honors.

Because 24 fan far surpasses the usual 8-fan minimum needed to declare a legal win, completing “Lower Tiles” typically yields a major point gain.

Strategies and Considerations of Lower Tiles

Opening Tiles: If you begin with many 1s, 2s, or 3s—especially pairs or partial sequences—“Lower Tiles” might be viable. Swiftly discard any 4–9 or honor tiles to maximize your chance of drawing more low tiles.

Calling Chows: You can form 1–2–3 by calling a chow from the player on your left, speeding your hand’s development. Each exposure, however, alerts opponents that you’re using only low ranks.

Pungs/Kongs: Another route is collecting triplets of 1, 2, or 3. This may align with an “All Pungs” style in some rule sets, though generally “Lower Tiles” (24 fan) is the higher-value pattern.

Discard Patterns: Because you must throw away anything above rank 3 (and all honors), opponents may quickly deduce you are going for “Lower Tiles” or another specialized low-rank pattern. With only three ranks (1, 2, 3) to work from, keep track of how many copies appear in others’ melds or discards. If a crucial rank is heavily used, you might have to pivot.

Potential Combinations

• All Pungs: If your hand ends up as pungs of 1, 2, or 3, you technically also form “All Pungs,” but “Lower Tiles” (24 fan) typically supersedes smaller patterns in final scoring.
• Single Suit Variation: If your entire set of 1, 2, 3 is in one suit, you might overlap with “Full Flush”. Local rules may determine how or if these combine.
• Seat/Prevalent Wind: Honors are disallowed here, so you cannot gain any wind/dragon bonuses.

Restrictive Ranks: Relying on only 1–3 can stall if you do not draw enough complementing tiles, or if opponents block you. The 24-fan result can dramatically change match outcomes if you complete “Lower Tiles.”