Hatsu

Hatsu

Hatsu (發) is the green dragon tile, one of the three dragon tiles in mahjong. It forms a yakuhai (value tile) when collected as a triplet, providing one point of value to your hand.

Detailed Explanation

Hatsu is one of the most recognizable tiles in mahjong, distinguished by its green color and the Chinese character 發 (meaning “prosperity” or “to prosper”). It belongs to the sangenpai (three dragon tiles) category, alongside Haku (white dragon) and Chun (red dragon).

Appearance and Identification

The Hatsu tile displays a green background with the character 發 printed in the center. In some traditional sets, the character may be outlined or styled differently, but the green coloring is the defining characteristic. When learning mahjong, players typically memorize the dragons by their colors: green for Hatsu, white for Haku, and red for Chun.

Yakuhai Value

Hatsu gains significance in mahjong through the yakuhai system. When you collect three Hatsu tiles (forming a triplet or pung), your hand automatically gains one point of value. This yakuhai can be:

• A closed triplet (刻子/kezi): Three tiles you collected without drawing from the discard pile
• An open triplet (明刻/mingke): Three tiles where at least one was claimed from another player’s discard

The yakuhai value from Hatsu is always one point, regardless of whether the triplet is open or closed. This makes Hatsu a valuable tile to pursue, as it provides guaranteed hand value without requiring complex yaku combinations.

Strategic Importance

Hatsu tiles are frequently prioritized in mahjong strategy because they offer reliable point value. Unlike some yaku that require specific combinations or sequences, a simple Hatsu triplet guarantees scoring. Players often keep Hatsu tiles longer in their hand than other tiles when building a hand, increasing the likelihood of completing the triplet.

Hatsu is particularly valuable in defensive situations. Even if your original hand plan falls through, collecting three Hatsu tiles provides a fallback way to complete your hand with guaranteed yakuhai. This makes Hatsu a practical tile for both offensive and defensive play.

Connection to Other Tiles

As part of the sangenpai group, Hatsu shares characteristics with Haku and Chun. All three dragon tiles:

• Are honor tiles (jihai)
• Form yakuhai when collected as triplets
• Cannot be used in sequences (only in triplets)
• Are typically high-priority tiles in hand building

The three dragons together can also form the daisangen (big three dragons) yaku when you collect triplets of all three dragon types, which provides significant hand value.

Usage Example

Scenario: You are playing a hand where you’ve collected two Hatsu tiles. Another player discards a Hatsu tile, and you have the opportunity to claim it for a pung (triplet). Even if your original hand plan has become unlikely, claiming the Hatsu completes your yakuhai, guaranteeing your hand will score at least one point when you win.

Decision: You claim the Hatsu, completing your triplet. This yakuhai ensures your hand has value, making it a safer strategic choice than waiting for a more complex yaku that might never materialize.

Related Terms

• Haku (白) - The white dragon tile; forms yakuhai as a triplet
• Chun (中) - The red dragon tile; forms yakuhai as a triplet
• Sangenpai (三元牌) - The three dragon tiles collectively
• Jihai (字牌) - Honor tiles, a category including dragons and winds
• Yakuhai (役牌) - Value tiles that form yaku when collected as triplets
• Daisangen (大三元) - The yaku formed by collecting triplets of all three dragons