Han

Han

Han (翻, literally “turn” or “flip”) refers to the doubling multipliers in mahjong scoring that determine the value of a winning hand. Each completed yaku (winning pattern) contributes a specific number of han to your hand’s total value. Combined with fu (base points), han directly determines how many points you receive when you win.

Detailed Explanation

Han functions as a multiplier system in mahjong scoring. The more han your hand contains, the more valuable it becomes. The han system creates a tiered scoring structure where hands with greater complexity and difficulty are worth proportionally more points.

Each yaku in your winning hand contributes a fixed number of han. For example, a simple yaku like “all simples” (tannyao) is worth 1 han, while more difficult patterns like “all honors and terminals” (honroutou) are worth 2 han. You can combine multiple yaku in a single hand, stacking their han values together.

The relationship between han and fu works together in the scoring formula. Fu represents the base point value calculated from your hand’s structure (melds, wait patterns, terminals), while han acts as the multiplier applied to those base points. A hand with high fu but low han will score less than a hand with low fu but high han.

The han system includes natural breakpoints that trigger special scoring categories. At 5 han, regardless of fu, your hand qualifies as mangan (満貫), a fixed-value hand worth 2,000 base points. At 6-7 han, you achieve haneman (跳満), worth 3,000 base points. At 8-10 han, you score baiman (倍満), worth 4,000 base points. At 11-12 han, you earn sanbaiman (三倍満), worth 6,000 base points. Finally, 13+ han qualifies as yakuman (役満), the maximum hand value.

In practical gameplay, han serves as the primary indicator of hand difficulty and value. Newer players often focus on han counts when evaluating their winning hands, as it provides a clearer picture of scoring than fu calculations alone.

Usage Example

Consider a player who completes a winning hand containing:

• All simples (tannyao): 1 han
• All one family (tanyao): 1 han
• Two sets of identical melds (iipeikou): 1 han

This hand totals 3 han. With 30 fu, the base points would be calculated as 30 × 2³ = 240 base points, which then gets multiplied by the payment structure (tsumo or ron) to determine actual payments.

If that same hand somehow incorporated a yakuman, the han count would jump to 13+, and the entire scoring calculation would change dramatically, resulting in a yakuman payment regardless of fu value.

Related Terms

Fu — The base point unit calculated from your hand’s structure, including factors like melds, wait patterns, and terminal/honor tiles. Han and fu work together in the scoring formula.

Yaku — The winning patterns that compose your hand. Each yaku awards a specific number of han; you must have at least one yaku to declare a legal winning hand.

Mangan — A fixed-value hand worth 2,000 base points, automatically achieved at 5 han regardless of fu.

Haneman — A hand worth 3,000 base points, achieved at 6-7 han. The name literally means “one and a half mangan.”

Baiman — A hand worth 4,000 base points, achieved at 8-10 han. The name means “double mangan.”

Understanding han is fundamental to mahjong strategy, as it helps players recognize which patterns to pursue and how to evaluate hand potential during play.