Riichi Mahjong · Closed 2 / open 1

Sanshoku Doujun (Mixed Triple Sequence) in Riichi Mahjong: Han and Examples

In riichi mahjong, Sanshoku doujun ("sanshoku") is worth 2 han closed and 1 han open: one sequence with the same numbers in each suit — characters, dots and bamboo — such as , and . It's a main way to raise the value of a closed hand; you can also call for it, but it drops one han (kuisagari).

The rules for Sanshoku

• One sequence with the same numbers in each of the three suits: anything from 1-2-3 to 7-8-9
• The fourth set and the pair can be anything
• Chi and pon are allowed, but it drops a han when open: 2 han closed, 1 open
• The same number as a triplet in all three suits is a different yaku: sanshoku doukou

How Sanshoku waits

The usual shape is "waiting on the last sequence": two suits are done and the third is one tile short. If that tile is a closed or edge wait you have only one kind of tile to wait on, so look for a way to make it two-sided.

How Sanshoku is scored

The yaku, han, fu and points below are computed live by the same scoring code the game uses.

Common combinations:

How it relates to other yaku

• Pinfu, tanyao: sanshoku is a sequence yaku; a 2–8 sanshoku (3-4-5, 5-6-7) easily comes with pinfu and tanyao.
• Ittsu: also 2 han closed, 1 open, built from sequences. Sanshoku needs three suits and ittsu one suit, so they can't both fit in one hand.
• Junchan, chanta: a 1-2-3 or 7-8-9 sanshoku can often grow into a terminal hand.
• Sanshoku doukou: the same number as triplets in three suits — no han drop when open, but far rarer.

Sanshoku odds

Sanshoku is one of the most common value yaku in closed hands. When the computers on this site play normally, sanshoku is part of 1.6% of all wins; 56% of those were called, and sanshoku wins average 7,900 points.

Source: 40,000 computer hands on this site (all four at normal level), 33,226 wins. A win usually has several yaku, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Spotting a Sanshoku chance

• Two suits already share a sequence: with and , watch , and .
• The tiles you need are still live: if three copies of the missing tile are already visible, sanshoku is nearly impossible.
• Discard order: holding and , keep the to area and cut other shapes first.
• When the missing tile is a closed wait: either reach tenpai on another two-sided shape and riichi, or draw a neighboring tile to make the sanshoku part two-sided first.

To practice, open a table of free online riichi mahjong — the computers play with you and count the points.

Sanshoku in other mahjong styles

Chinese Official (Guobiao) has "Mixed Triple Chow" for 8 fan, with no drop when called (Guobiao fan table). Taiwanese and Hong Kong mahjong have no matching hand.

FAQ

How many han is Sanshoku?

2 han closed, 1 han after a chi or pon.

Can you call for Sanshoku?

Yes. Sanshoku is a yaku by itself, so you can win with it open — it just drops one han and you lose closed yaku like riichi and pinfu.

What's the difference between Sanshoku doujun and Sanshoku doukou?

Doujun is three sequences; doukou is three triplets (e.g. , , ). Doukou is 2 han closed or open and much rarer.

Related yaku

Ittsu Closed 2 / open 1 1-2-3, 4-5-6 and 7-8-9 in one suit — 2 han closed, 1 open. Examples, waits and common combos. Sanshoku doukou Closed 2 / open 2 The same number as a triplet in all three suits, 2 han even open. Versus sanshoku doujun, common combos, and why it's rare. Pinfu 1 han（closed only） Four sequences, a non-value pair and a two-sided wait — closed only, 1 han. Waits, 20 vs 30 fu, common combos.