USPML Update: Rules
USPML Rules are under development. We want to make sure that our rules of play are good — balanced, accurate, and aligned with commonly accepted modern Riichi rules — before we codify them as our standard. Towards this end, we are examining and discussing several rules variations and issues as we work to finalize a standard USPML rule set.For our event on January 24, and while the official USPML rules are still in-work, we are using interim rules that are similar to the JPML B Rules:
ALLOWED (ARI):
Atozuke (Backdoor win)
Ippatsu (First-turn win)
Uradora (Hidden dora)
Kandora/Kanuradora (Quad dora/Quad Hidden dora)
Kuitan (Open Tanyao/Inside Hand)
Nagashi Mangan (Honorable Discard)
Renhou (Mangan) (Human Win)
Tempai Renchan (Continue on Ready)
Tochuryukyoku (Abortive Draws)
NOT ALLOWED (NASHI):
Akadora (Red dora)
Barenchan (8 Continuances)
Double Yakuman (Double Limit Hand)
Kuikae (Chow Switch)
Ryanhanshibari (Min 2 HP after 5 Continuances)
Yakitori
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(Note from Charlyn: Jenn wrote a column, Jenn’s Corner #27, which describes each of these in more detail.)
(Note from Jenn: I have included English translations for Charlyn. Please use whichever term is easiest for you.)
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I’m Charlyn Gee from the USPML. While the official USPML rules standard is still under development, there is an interim set of rules being used. Here are my personal opinions about some of these rules:
AKADORA (“Red Fives”): Red Fives count as an extra dora.
Not Allowed – I do not like Red Fives used together with Open All Simples (which is allowed, see KUITAN below). Red Fives makes All Simples hands more likely to be high in value, even if they are opened. So valuable, in fact, that it can seem like a waste of time to patiently pursue other hands that are more difficult/slower to form. It’s likely that, every hand, at least one player will chase Open All Simples with red fives to try to win big quick, so the game tends to become more of a lucky race rather than the strategic plan that is my favorite part of mahjong.
ATOZUKE: Yaku does not need to be guaranteed before win, also called After-attaching.
Allowed – A player relying on Atozuke has put himself at a disadvantage. Not all of his waits can win, so his chances of winning are lower. Disallowing Atozuke is kind of like making players wear seatbelts. If you want to take the risk, I think you should be able to. It may be somewhat annoying, but attentive opponents, knowing Atozuke is possible, can still defend; also, Atozuke hands are rarely high value (especially when Red Fives are disallowed).
KUITAN (“Open All Simples”): All Simples (Tanyao) is worth one yaku even with called discards.
Allowed – Open All Simples helps defend against Riichi. Riichi can be risky but it can also be very positive. In some respects, it’s only a matter of time before a player in Riichi wins. Other players may not have enough time to build winning hands, while still maintaining defense. Open All Simples offers a way to play against a Riichi, especially an early one. Open All Simples can also be won quickly, fast enough to sneak ahead, possibly preventing a large win. Also, though easy to win, Open All Simples is seldom high-value itself (especially when Red Fives are disallowed), so players won’t always choose it.
IPPATSU (“One Shot”): Winning on the first go-around after declaring Riichi.
Allowed – I like it because it means you can’t just discard willy-nilly after someone goes into Riichi; you’re forced to think, at least about the first discard.
YAKITORI: Players who never won a hand during the whole game pay a penalty at the end of the game.
Not Allowed – I think it’s an interesting game statistic, but not worth a point penalty. Most of the time, if you never won a hand, you are already suffering the penalty of losing. No need to rub it in with another penalty. And if not… I think that in mahjong, not losing is just as important as winning. If you sneaked yourself into second place by never losing (even though you never won), I’d say you played pretty well, and don’t deserve a penalty.
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Questions or comments about this column? Please visit the USPML website and use the Forum for Riichi Rules and Etiquette.
