Three-Suited Terminal Chows

What Is Three Suited Terminal Chows

Three-Suited Terminal Chows is a striking 16-fan hand in Chinese Mahjong. It features two terminal chows (1–2–3 and 7–8–9) in two different suits plus a pair of 5 in the remaining suit, perfectly filling out a 14-tile configuration (four melds + one pair). While the requirements are very rigid, the reward is substantial. Savvy players who spot early synergy among 1–2–3, 7–8–9, and a spare pair of 5 in a third suit can quickly commit to this pattern for a potential high-scoring victory. Opponents, once alerted, may try to block critical tiles, so timing your melds and discards—and protecting your pair of 5—are crucial aspects of the strategy.

The Tile Pattern of Three Suited Terminal Chows

In Chinese Mahjong, Three-Suited Terminal Chows is a very specific 14-tile hand composed of:

• Two terminal chows (1–2–3 and 7–8–9) in two different suits, and
• A pair of 5 in the third suit.

Visually, you have:

• Suit A: 1–2–3 chow + 7–8–9 chow
• Suit B: 1–2–3 chow + 7–8–9 chow
• Suit C: A pair of 5

Fan Value of Three Suited Terminal Chows

In Chinese Mahjong scoring, Three-Suited Terminal Chows is worth 16 fan. Because 16 fan far surpasses the usual 8-fan minimum at many tables, completing this hand nearly guarantees a substantial final score.

Strategies and Considerations of Three Suited Terminal Chows

Initial Hand Composition: If your opening tiles already show multiple “1–2–3” or “7–8–9” sequences across two suits plus a natural pair of 5 in the third suit, you may be on track for this high-scoring pattern.

Committing Early: Because you need these four very specific chows, it’s best to decide early. Discard extra tiles outside the relevant suits and ranks (especially 4s, 5s in the “wrong” suit, 6s, or any honors).

Speed via Melds: You might call “chow” from an opponent’s discard to quickly secure your 1–2–3 or 7–8–9 sets. But each time you do, you reveal more of your plan to opponents.

Staying Concealed: If you draw your needed sequences yourself, you remain concealed, potentially combining with other concealed-hand bonuses. However, you risk missing out on valuable discards that could finish your chows sooner.

Opponent Awareness and Blocking: Once opponents see multiple 1–2–3 or 7–8–9 chows in different suits, they may suspect a large specialized hand like “Three-Suited Terminal Chows.” They could deliberately withhold certain key tiles (especially 1s or 9s). Pay attention if too many 1s, 2s, 3s, 7s, 8s, or 9s in the needed suits appear in others’ discards or melds. If you cannot gather them, consider pivoting to a simpler pattern.

The Pair of 5: The 5 in the third suit is crucial. If you only have one 5, you must be careful not to discard it accidentally. Sometimes discarding 5s in your “chow suits” can confuse opponents. They might think you don’t want that rank, not realizing you plan to hold a pair of 5 in the leftover suit.

High-Risk, High-Reward: You do not have flexibility in how the 14 tiles are arranged; you either get those four terminal chows plus the 5 pair, or the pattern fails. The 16 fan can be a game-changer if you successfully piece together this symmetrical layout.