Riichi vs Sichuan
Riichi and Sichuan represent two extremes of mahjong design. Riichi adds depth: fu calculation, riichi declarations, dora, ippatsu, ura dora. Sichuan strips it away: no honor tiles, no chi calls, mandatory missing suit. Both are massively popular — for opposite reasons.
Han + fu scoring with the riichi declaration mechanic.
Pung-only, no honors, mandatory missing-suit. The fastest variant in widespread play.
Riichi vs Sichuan — every axis
| Axis | Riichi | Sichuan |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Japan, 1950s | Sichuan Province, China |
| Hand size | 14 tiles | 14 tiles |
| Chi call (claim chow from discard)? | Allowed — chow combinations are central | Not allowed — but in-hand chows still legal |
| Honor tiles | Full set + dora indicators | Removed entirely |
| Missing-suit rule | None | Mandatory (缺一门) |
| Scoring | Han + fu × 2^(han+2), capped at yakuman | Exponential 2^fan, capped at 16 fan |
| Riichi/declarations | Yes — bet 1,000 on closed tenpai | None |
| Dora bonuses | Dora, akadora, ura dora | None |
| Round speed | 15-25 minutes | 5-10 minutes |
| Online ecosystem | Tenhou, Mahjong Soul, MJ Swift | Tencent Sichuan, regional CN apps |
Strengths
- •Deepest strategic mahjong variant — riichi timing is a real skill
- •Dora/ura/akadora create dramatic swings without being random
- •Massive global online community via anime + apps
- •Standardized rules across Japan + EMA tour
- •Fastest variant in mainstream play — perfect for casual sessions
- •Easier to learn — fewer rules, no fu math
- •Missing-suit rule creates a unique strategic dimension
- •Dominant on Chinese mobile mahjong platforms
Which should you play?
Pick Riichi if you want to invest in deep strategic mahjong, you found mahjong via anime/online apps, or you're playing with Japanese-rules friends. Pick Sichuan if you want fast casual mahjong, you have mainland Chinese connections, or you prefer constraints over options.
Common questions
Which is harder to learn?+
Riichi by a clear margin. Sichuan has ~20 patterns and one constraint (missing suit). Riichi has ~33 yaku plus fu calculation plus riichi mechanics plus dora — much more to internalize.
Why is Sichuan so much faster than Riichi?+
No chow-building means fewer tile choices per turn. The missing-suit rule eliminates 1/3 of the tile pool. No riichi means no waiting for declarations. Net effect: 2-3x faster rounds than Riichi.
Could a Riichi player feel cheated by Sichuan?+
A bit — Riichi's strategic depth around riichi timing and fu/dora maximization simply doesn't exist in Sichuan. The trade-off is speed and the unique missing-suit puzzle.