Riichi Mahjong Yaku
All Simples
Also known as: Tanyao · Tanyaochuu · 断么九
A hand made entirely from numbered tiles 2 through 8, with no terminals or honors.
Yaku value
Closed hand
1 Han
Open hand
1 Han
Requirements
Every tile in the hand must be a 2 through 8 from Man, Pin, or Sou. Sequences, triplets, and pairs are all allowed.
How to recognize it
- Every tile is a numbered tile from 2 through 8.
- No 1 or 9 appears in a sequence, triplet, or pair.
- No wind or dragon tile appears anywhere in the hand.
- Open Tanyao only qualifies when the table allows Kuitan.
When to pursue it
Tanyao is efficient with connected middle tiles and can often be completed quickly by calling. It combines naturally with Pinfu, Riichi, and common sequence Yaku.
When to change course
Do not discard strong terminal or honor value just to force Tanyao when the hand already has Yakuhai, a good outside shape, or a safer defensive route.
Hand examples
Closed hand using only middle tiles
Winning tile
- Hand context
- Every group and the pair use numbered tiles from 2 through 8.
- Qualifies
- There are no terminals or honors anywhere in the hand, so Tanyao qualifies.
- Scoring note
- Tanyao is 1 Han. This shape can also combine with Pinfu when the wait and pair satisfy Pinfu conditions.
Open Tanyao under Kuitan rules
Winning tile
- Hand context
- The sideways 3 Man marks a called 3-4-5 sequence; all tiles still remain between 2 and 8.
- Qualifies
- Calling does not introduce a terminal or honor. The Yaku qualifies when the table enables open Tanyao.
- Scoring note
- Open Tanyao remains 1 Han. If Kuitan is disabled, this open hand needs another Yaku.
A single terminal breaks Tanyao
Winning tile
- Hand context
- The 1 Man inside the 1-2-3 sequence is a terminal tile.
- Does not qualify
- Tanyao checks every tile, not only the pair and triplets. A terminal inside a sequence is enough to invalidate it.
- Scoring note
- No Tanyao Han is awarded. A different Yaku is required for a legal win.
Common scoring mistake
Any 1, 9, wind, or dragon invalidates the Yaku. Open Tanyao is common but may be disabled by the table rules.
Values follow common modern Riichi rules. Local and tournament rules may differ, especially for double Yakuman.