Simples

Simples

Simples are the numbered tiles 2 through 8 in each of the three suited tile categories (bamboo, character, and dot suits). They form the middle range of suited tiles, excluding both the terminal tiles (1 and 9) and all honor tiles (winds and dragons). Simples are fundamental to several important mahjong yaku, most notably tanyao.

Detailed Explanation

In mahjong, each suited tile category contains nine numbered tiles, ranked 1 through 9. The simples occupy the middle positions of this sequence, making them the most abundant tile category in standard play. There are 12 simples in each suit (four copies each of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8), for a total of 36 simple tiles in the complete 136-tile deck.

The distinction between simples, terminals, and honors is crucial for understanding many yaku. While terminals (1s and 9s) are considered “outside” tiles with limited flexibility in forming sequences, simples are the most versatile tiles for constructing melds. They can form sequences (chow) easily with adjacent numbered tiles, and they appear frequently enough to support various winning patterns.

The term “simples” comes from the concept that these tiles are “simple” or ordinary—they lack the special status of terminals or honors. This classification has significant strategic implications in hand composition and yaku selection.

Usage in Yaku

Simples are essential components of several yaku:

Tanyao (All Simples): This yaku requires the entire winning hand to consist exclusively of simples. No terminals or honors can appear in any melds or the pair. Tanyao is worth 1 fu in closed form or 1 fu in open form (if kuitan is allowed), making it one of the most commonly achieved yaku.

Junchan (Terminals and Honors): This yaku requires the opposite composition—every meld must contain at least one terminal or honor tile. Junchan cannot contain any pure simple sequences, making it substantially more difficult than tanyao.

Kuitan: This is not a yaku itself but rather a rule variation that determines whether open tanyao is permitted. When kuitan is allowed, players may declare tanyao with an open hand (containing at least one called meld), making simple-based hands more accessible.

Practical Example

Consider a winning hand with the following composition:

Melds: 2-3-4 bamboo, 5-6-7 character, 5-6-7 dot, 2-2-2 bamboo Pair: 3-3 dot

This hand contains only simples from each suit and would qualify for tanyao. If this hand were closed (all tiles drawn), it would score 1 fu for tanyao (plus points from other elements). If it were open with called melds, tanyao would only score if kuitan is in effect.

In contrast, if the hand included even a single 1 or 9 tile, or any honor tile, tanyao would no longer be valid.

Related Terms

Tanyao: The primary yaku built around simples, requiring all tiles in the hand to be simples.

Terminal: The 1 and 9 tiles in each suit, which cannot appear in tanyao hands and are essential for junchan.

Honor Tiles: Winds and dragons, which also cannot appear in tanyao hands.

Junchan: A yaku requiring every meld to contain at least one terminal or honor, essentially the inverse of tanyao.

Kuitan: A rule variation that permits tanyao to be declared on open hands, significantly increasing the frequency with which this yaku is achieved in gameplay.