Comments on: Grilled Chicken and Flowers

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:04:35 +0000

Renmei has more than one set of rules. Their league match rules are the "A-rules" which use none of the ippatsu etc (but do use shizumi). They also have quite a number of tournaments which use "B-rules" which are similar to those used in parlors. When playing for fun, practically everyone in Japan prefers rules that are similar to B-rules. "There's luck... then there's luck." I don't think many beginners understand what "A-rules" actually do to the game. If riichi isn't emphasized, the game becomes remarkably defensive and slow. Strategically they do make the game deeper but frankly if someone's going to criticize menzen tsumo for being based on luck, I don't think they appreciate strategy very much.

By: Pingu

Pingu — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:19:54 +0000

But.... Renmei rules don't use Ippatsu, Ura, Kan Ura etc.

Why the hell are they playing mahjong?

There's luck... then there's luck.

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:20:14 +0000

I see. If they don't like luck, why the hell are they playing mahjong?

By: Osamu

Osamu — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:23:41 +0000

Benjamin: I was referring to some English-speaking players who want to remove anything luck related (ippatsu, ura dora, kan dora and even the menzen tsumo yaku) that I've seen on the internet.

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:27:19 +0000

By the way, Puyo, I'm heading into Hong Kong at the end of this month. Will you be around?

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:26:52 +0000

Shuugi can also be translated as "tips." Puro are not offended by shuugi as most parlors use them. Most puro play more with shuugi than with not. Shizumi uma is a way of calculating uma by taking into account whether or not a player is above or below genten (original points, usually 30,000). It does not combine with oka;everyone must start with the points that are "returned" at the end of the game. If only one player is above genten, he gets +12, and the losers get -1, -3, -8. Two players above genten goes +8 +4 -4 -8. 3 players above genten is +8 +3 +1 -12. Shizumi uma is a good way to vary the rules without adding a big luck element--in fact some might argue that it adds skill. The rule is used in Renmei ("JPML") A-rules. My biggest hope is that tsunoda will change the tsumobo value to 1500. 300 point tsumibo's are probably the worst element in riichi as it exists right now. All they do is make calculation difficult and intimidate beginners.

By: Puyo

Puyo — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:25:31 +0000

shuugi is a very common rule that appear in almost all Japanese mahjong parblors, even when I played with friends in Hong Kong we adopt this rules too.

shuugi mahjong encourages reach because you have ippatsu and uradora only when you reach. If you tsumo with ura 2, you gain 6 bonus points (2 from each player), which is an enoumous income. (don't forget the ordinary hand points that you earn from this winning hand)

By: Durrr

Durrr — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 09:34:57 +0000

Washizu mahjong?

I'm so in for that.