Riichi Mahjong · Yakuman
Daisangen (Big Three Dragons) in Riichi Mahjong: Rules, Examples, Pao and Odds
In riichi mahjong, Daisangen (big three dragons) is a yakuman: all three dragons — white, green and red — as triplets or quads, with any set and pair to finish. It stays a yakuman when called, which makes it the most common yakuman you can build with open calls.
On this page
The rules for Daisangen
- All three dragons as triplets or quads (pon, concealed triplet, open or closed kan all fine)
- The remaining set and pair are free: sequences, suited tiles or winds
- A yakuman closed or open
With one dragon as the pair instead, it's the 2-han shousangen. Yakuman don't add up with normal yaku, so the three yakuhai, toitoi or honitsu inside daisangen aren't counted.
How Daisangen is scored
The yaku and points below are computed live by the same scoring code the game uses.
Ron
| Daisangen | Yakuman |
| Total | Yakuman · 32,000 points |
|---|
Non-dealer, East round, no dora, no honba.
Ron
| Daisangen | Yakuman |
| Tsuuiisou | Yakuman |
| Total | 2× yakuman · 64,000 points |
|---|
Non-dealer, East round, no dora, no honba.
Yakuman stack with each other: daisangen + tsuuiisou and daisangen + suuankou are both double yakuman.
Pao: the player who feeds the third dragon pays
If a player already showing two dragon sets calls pon (or an open kan) on the third dragon, whoever discarded it becomes liable (pao):
- If that hand later wins by tsumo, the liable player pays everything
- If someone else deals in, the discarder and the liable player pay half each
- If it combines with another yakuman (such as tsuuiisou), the liable player covers only the daisangen part; the other yakuman is paid normally (shared on tsumo, by the discarder on ron)
In this game pao only applies to daisangen and daisuushii, as on Tenhou (Mahjong Soul adds suukantsu). Once someone shows two dragons, don't discard the third, even if none of it has been seen yet.
How it relates to other yaku
- Shousangen: two dragon triplets plus a dragon pair, 2 han — where a failed daisangen often lands.
- Yakuhai: the road to daisangen is calling the dragons one by one.
- Tsuuiisou: if the other set and pair are honors too, it's a double yakuman.
Daisangen odds
Starting with pairs of all three dragons
Daisangen needs three of each dragon. In a 13-tile starting hand, all three dragons are already a pair or better only 0.0049% of the time; two or more dragons, 0.46%.
| Dragons held as a pair or better | Chance |
|---|---|
| 1+ kinds | 13% |
| 2+ kinds | 0.46% |
| 3+ kinds | 0.0049% |
Source: 1,000,000 random 13-tile deals.
How often it happens in play
Four normal-level computers played 40,000 hands on this site's table with 33,226 wins. All yakuman together came up 15 times (13 of them kokushi musou); daisangen didn't appear once. The computers play for speed and never wait on the third dragon; people who aim for it will see it a bit more, but they're also easier to read.
Playing around Daisangen
- Going for it: with pairs of two dragons, it's worth waiting after the first pon as long as two of the third haven't been discarded. Once two sets are showing, you'll almost always have to draw the third yourself.
- Someone else is: when a player shows two dragon sets, hold the third dragon — and remember pao.
- To try for daisangen yourself, open a table of free online riichi mahjong and play the computers.
Daisangen in other mahjong styles
- Taiwanese mahjong: big three dragons, 8 tai (Taiwanese mahjong tai list)
- Hong Kong mahjong: big three dragons, 8 fan (Hong Kong mahjong fan table)
- Chinese Official (Guobiao): big three dragons, 88 fan (Guobiao fan list)
FAQ
How many han is Daisangen?
Daisangen is a yakuman, so it isn't counted in han; it stays a yakuman when called. Together with tsuuiisou or suuankou it's a double yakuman.
Can you call for Daisangen?
Yes. Calling all three dragons is still a yakuman, but whoever feeds the third dragon is liable (pao).
What's the difference between Daisangen and Shousangen?
Daisangen is all three dragons as triplets (yakuman); shousangen is two triplets plus a dragon pair (2 han).
Related yaku
Shousangen Closed 2 / open 2
Two dragon triplets and a dragon pair: 2 han, at least 4 with its two yakuhai.
Yakuhai Closed 1 / open 1
A triplet of dragons, seat wind or round wind — 1 han, even when called. Double wind, atozuke and one-sided waits.
Tsuuiisou Yakuman
All 14 tiles honors — a yakuman, called or closed, seven pairs allowed. Examples, combos and odds.
Try it at the table
Riichi Mahjong — Play Japanese Riichi Mahjong free in your browser against three AI opponents. Standard online rules with red fives, ippatsu and ura dora, a yaku guide, wait and furiten hints, and three AI levels. No sign-up.