Key Takeaways for Avoiding a Locked Discard (Furiten)
- Know Your Winning Tiles: Keep track of all your potential winning tiles (waits) and ensure they aren't in your discard pile, helping you avoid discarding crucial tiles.
- Review Your Discards Regularly: Continuously check your discard pile to ensure you haven't discarded any tiles you need to complete your hand, preventing unintentional Furiten.
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Practice Strategic Discarding: Prioritize discarding less useful tiles like honors and terminals early, and be cautious with tiles that can form sequences or pairs to avoid entering Furiten.
Often referred to as a Sacred Discard, but over here at Mahjong Pros, we find the term "Locked Discard" conveys the meaning a bit clearer. Mastering the concept of a Locked Discard or Sacred Discard, known as Furiten, is crucial for any Riichi Mahjong player. A Locked Discard (Furiten) refers to a situation where a player is prevented from winning on a discarded tile due to specific rules. Understanding and managing Furiten is not just about following the rules but strategically navigating through them to maintain an edge in the game.
What is a Locked Discard (Furiten)?
Locked Discard, or Furiten, is a rule in Riichi Mahjong that prevents a player from declaring a win (Ron) on another player's discard if they have previously discarded any tile they need to complete their hand. This rule ensures that players cannot capitalize on mistakes they’ve already made by discarding crucial tiles.
Examples of Being in Furiten
- Discarding a Winning Tile: If you needs a 5 bamboo to complete their hand but you previously discarded a 5 bamboo, you now in locked your discard and now are in Furiten for that tile.
- Ignoring a Winning Opportunity: If you pass on the chance to win (call Ron) on a tile that would complete your hand, you are temporarily "locked out" of win (temporary Furiten).
Types of Locked Discard (Furiten)
- Permanent Furiten: This occurs when you discards any of the necessary tiles needed to complete your ready hand. Your discards locks you out of winning on any future identical tiles discarded by opponents AND any other waits you my have.
- For example if you discarded a 5 bamboo earlier in the game and now are waiting for a 2 bamboo or 5 bamboo to win, you are locked out of calling the 5 bamboo from other players to win AND you are locked out of calling the 2 bamboo to win
- Temporary Furiten: This happens when you ignore a winning opportunity (calling mahjong or Ron) from a player's discard. You are now temporarily locked out of a win which lasts until you draw and discard a tile again.
- Exception: When you are in Riichi, you must claim any winning opportunity otherwise you will end up in Permanent Furiten.
How to Identifying Furiten (Locked Discard)
The most important steps of knowing if you have been locked out of winning is being aware of which tiles you needed to win.
Keep a Mental Checklist of Potential Winning Tiles
Continuously be aware of all of the tiles that can complete your hand and cross-reference them with your discard pile. By maintaining a mental checklist, you can avoid discarding tiles that are necessary to complete your hand and lock you out of opportunities to win off of your opponents.
Regularly Review Your Discard Pile
Frequently check the tiles you have discarded to ensure none match the tiles you need to complete your hand. This habit helps prevent unintentional being locked out (Furiten) by making sure you don't discard crucial tiles needed for your win.
Keep a mental note of the tiles you frequently confuse. For some people the 5 craks and the 7 craks look similar. Always double check your tiles and your discard pile
Pay Attention to Your Opponents
If you are one away from winning, pay attention to your opponents discard or you will miss an opportunity to win off of them! If you miss your chance some how, you will have to wait until the next turn to win off of that tile.
How to Avoid Furiten and Locking Yourself Out
Strategic discarding is key to avoiding Furiten. Discard tiles that are less likely to complete your hand first such as Dragons or Wind Tiles. Pay careful attention to your tiles and keep potential winning tiles until you are sure they won't be needed is crucial.
When one tile away from winning, be extra cautious about discarding tiles that could complete your hand. Always be aware of your winning conditions and the tiles you need to complete your hand. Discard potential winning tiles only when absolutely necessary and be mindful of the implications. Experienced players often keep meticulous track of their discards and potential winning tiles, ensuring they don't end up in Furiten.
How to Deal with Furiten and Getting Yourself Out
If you find yourself in Furiten and locked out of winning from your opponent, remember that you can always draw the winning tile yourself (Tsumo) since you can still win this way.
Adjust your strategy to create new winning possibilities that aren’t affected by Furiten rule. Remember that furiten will apply if you discarded ANY of your possible waits for your win.
If you passed on a winning opportunity, once you discard a tile Furiten is lifted.
At worst, you can always change your hand’s structure to eliminate any locked win (Furiten) conditions.
Practical Tips and Exercises to Avoid Furiten
Practice scenarios where you identify and avoid Furiten can be incredibly beneficial.
Set up practice ready hands to recognize what your waits are and whether Furiten applies or not. Practice identifying waits and discard tracking to avoid being locked out. Beginners often overlook their own discard pile or cannot see all their potential winning tiles, leading to Furiten. Reflect on games where Furiten impacted your play and adjust your strategies accordingly.
Understanding and avoiding Furiten (Locked Discard) is crucial for success in Riichi Mahjong. By paying careful attention to your discards, practicing strategic play, and staying vigilant about your winning conditions, you can navigate the challenges of Furiten effectively. Keep practicing, join Mahjong communities, and continue learning to enhance your skills and enjoyment of the game.
