Four Big Winds

What is Four Big Winds in Japanese Mahjong

Four Big Winds stands as one of the pinnacle achievements in Riichi Mahjong due to its extreme rarity and difficulty. The hand requires collecting four complete sets of all wind tiles, a challenging task under any circumstances. This recognition reflects the extraordinary skill, patience, and luck needed to successfully complete such a hand, marking it as one of the most revered accomplishments in the game.

How to Achieve Four Big Winds？

Wind Triplets/Quads:

• The hand consists of four sets (triplets or quads) of wind tiles: East, South, West, and North.
• Each set must consist solely of identical wind tiles.
• Because there are exactly four different wind tiles in Mahjong, achieving four complete sets of winds covers all of them.

Pair Requirement:

• In addition to the four wind sets, the hand must include one extra tile to form a pair.
• This pair can be any tile, but in the context of Four Big Winds, the focus remains on collecting the four wind triplets/quads. The pair can be one of the winds if extra copies exist, or it can be another tile, depending on how the hand develops.

What is the Strategy and Risk of Four Big Winds?

Tile Focus: Aiming for Four Big Winds requires a strong focus on collecting wind tiles exclusively. A player must prioritize drawing and retaining wind tiles while discarding others that do not contribute to forming wind sets.

Risk vs. Reward: Chasing Four Big Winds is highly risky due to its low probability. Players pursuing this hand often forgo more realistic hands in the hope of scoring a massive payoff if successful. The potential reward—a massive point gain, particularly if classified as a double Yakuman—can offset the risk in certain game situations, such as when a player needs a significant score boost.

Game Dynamics and Observation: Since winds are limited and essential to opponents' strategies, keeping track of discarded and visible wind tiles becomes crucial. Observing opponents' discards and melds can provide insight into the availability of wind tiles, influencing whether pursuing Four Big Winds remains feasible.