Pure Triple Chow

What Is Pure Triple Chow

Pure Shifted Pungs is a rare but highly rewarding 24-fan hand in Chinese Mahjong. Achieving it requires forming three consecutive-rank pungs (e.g., 3, 4, 5) all within the same suit, plus one additional meld and a pair. The constraints of collecting three sets of three identical tiles in tight ranks put this pattern among the more challenging high-fan hands. However, if your opening draw aligns well—especially with pairs in close consecutive ranks—an aggressive push for “Pure Shifted Pungs” can reap substantial points and deliver a memorable victory.

The Tile Pattern of Pure Triple Chow

All three chows are identical in rank sequence (4–5–6), and all are in a single suit.

• Chow A: x–(x+1)–(x+2) (e.g., 4–5–6)
• Chow B: x–(x+1)–(x+2) (exact same ranks)
• Chow C: x–(x+1)–(x+2) (again, identical ranks)

All three chows are strictly in the same suit (Craks, Bams, or Dots). For instance, 3–4–5 in Bams repeated three times, or 7–8–9 in Craks repeated three times, etc.

Fan Value of Pure Triple Chow

Under Chinese scoring, Pure Triple Chow is awarded 24 fan. This high reward reflects the challenge of assembling three identical sequences within a single suit—far more restrictive than “Mixed Triple Chow,” which is only 8 fan because it uses three suits.

Strategies and Considerations of Pure Triple Chow

Check Your Starting Suits: If your initial hand shows multiple partial sequences like 4–5 or 5–6 in one suit, see if you can extend them into a repeated triple-chow pattern (e.g., 4–5–6, 4–5–6, 4–5–6).

Focus on One Suit: You need to cluster your sequences in that one suit, discarding other suits or tiles that do not fit your triple chow plan.

Calling Chows: Since a chow can only be claimed from the player on your immediate left, you’ll need some good timing if you decide to call. Exposing your chows early may alert opponents to your pursuit of a rare high-fan hand.

Concealed Approach: If you self-draw each needed tile, you can remain concealed. Potentially, you might add extra fan for a fully concealed hand or a self-drawn win. However, this approach can be slower and risk losing to another player’s faster hand.

Signaling: Repeatedly calling the same chow in a single suit can be a big giveaway, prompting opponents to hold onto key tiles.

Tile Counting: If opponents realize you need a specific 4–5–6 or 3–4–5 pattern in a certain suit, they may withhold or “dump” certain ranks to disrupt your combinations.

Combining with Other Patterns

• Full Flush: If you keep your entire hand in that same suit (including the extra meld and pair), you might also qualify for “Full Flush.” However, in many scoring interpretations, you only get credit for the highest single pattern.
• All Chows: If your extra meld is also a chow and you do not use honors, you may tack on some small bonus. Whether or not it stacks depends on local rules.
• Self-Draw Bonus: Successfully drawing your final tile from the wall can yield a small additional fan.

Demanding Tile Requirements: You collect 3 × 3 identical sequences, for a total of 9 tiles with repeated ranks. If a crucial rank is heavily discarded or melded by others, you may have to pivot.