Saki

[XinWind]

Anyone wanna play Mahjong? I have a mahjong set, but no one to play T.T
Also I wanna watch more Saki. *sigh* Someone make them release the rest. =[

Myself, Southrop, and Mirgond and I play on http://tenhou.net/ occasionally. Hop on irc and highlight me for our channel.

Um I'm still pretty new at playing and I'm fully lost on what to do.

To Mahjong or IRC? Both? I'm fairly new to playing as well. No biggie. Southie and Mirgond have both been pretty helpful as I'm learning.

I'm new to Mahjong. I only played 3-5times. Don't fully understand most of it yet. Especially the scoring of it all. =[
Also IRC on box right?

[Mirgond]

Yeah, you can use the Web-Irc Button on the Main page.

The new ep was really good ^^

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East Power vs. South Power   And poor Saki with a 3 person combined attack against her...

[newy]

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Who's the girl with the ponytail defeating Invisible Girl's teammate?

[dbml]

After the last episode, I'm very sad

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Hisa didn't make it in the individuals :'( Nooooooo!

And we're gonna have to wait for a season two to see what happens at nationals. I don't want this season to end with them on like, a train heading to the tournament. That would suck! All that'll do is drive me nuts while I wait... impatiently as hell, for the next season. Gah. I'm gonna go through serious withdrawals when this ends.

[XinWind]

After the last episode, I'm very sad

(click to show/hide)

Hisa didn't make it in the individuals :'( Nooooooo!

And we're gonna have to wait for a season two to see what happens at nationals. I don't want this season to end with them on like, a train heading to the tournament. That would suck! All that'll do is drive me nuts while I wait... impatiently as hell, for the next season. Gah. I'm gonna go through serious withdrawals when this ends.

Don't worry you aren't alone. Hope they bring out season 2 fast. So we won't have to die from being impatient lol.

[Mirgond]

Since they have first to write the Manga i think we won't see Season 2 before Winter2009/Spring2010...
Hopefully the Studio that does the Anime is still alive then

[sdedalus83]

Since they have first to write the Manga i think we won't see Season 2 before Winter2009/Spring2010...
Hopefully the Studio that does the Anime is still alive then

Considering they kept on making them after the studio which started with it died, I doubt that the death of the second studio would have much of an impact on a second season.

[dbml]

Only one episode to go! And of course it's gonna end at the worst possible place. Ugh. It's going to be a long and miserable wait for season two :'(

[Mcgreag]

I'm new to Mahjong. I only played 3-5times. Don't fully understand most of it yet. Especially the scoring of it all. =[
Also IRC on box right?

Scoring is a bit strange to tell the truth.

Here is how it works.
To be able to win with a hand it need to contain a "Yaku". Yaku is a pattern which follows some certain rules. A common yaku are for example Tanyao aka All simples, a hand that only contains numbered tiles 2-8. Riichi is another common yaku which can be used to either give hand with no yaku one, or increase the value of hand.

Every Yaku has a certain "Han/Fan" value. Tanyo is worth 1 han while Toitoihou (all pons) are worth 2 for example. Several Yaku can be combined for even higher scores. Each Han is a score multiplier.

To get the score you first need to calculate the base value of the hand. It's generally 20 (or 30 in the case of closed hand winning on a discard) + points for pons/kans and specific waits. The final value is rounded up next even 10 and usually lands on either 30 or 40 but can go as high as 110. This base score is called "fu" (minipoints).

To get the total value of the hand you take the base score and double it once for every Han + 2 extra times (3 in the case of East winning), in math language it's written as score=fu*(2^(han+2). The value you get is the score everyone needs to pay in case of winning on a selfdraw. The score is rounded up to the next even 100. East pays double for selfdraw wins so you get total 4 times the score.

In case of the winning on a discard the discarder pays the total value so 4x the score, rounded up to 100 after multiplying.
If east wins it's just 3x (no east that can pay double) but as said above his score is doubled one more time so his final score ends up 1.5x that of the other players.

Scoring example:
40 base points, 3 han.
40*(2^(3+2)= 40 * 32 = 1280.
If winning on selfdraw that means every one pays 1300 point while east pays 2600.
If winning on discard the discarder pays 1280*4 = 6400.

Once you reach 8000 points (12000 for east) or 5 Han (which always results in a score of 8000+) you get a limit hand. From this point your base score does no longer matter, only Han.
5 Han = Mangan = 8000
6-7 Han = Haneman = 12000
8-9 Han = Baiman = 18000
10-12 Han = Sanbaiman = 24000
13+ Han = Yakuman = 36000
East win 50% more so 12000/18000/24000/36000/48000 instead.

Normally you don't need to know this math. Instead you use ready made tables where you cross check Fu and Han and get the score from that.

[XinWind]

I'm new to Mahjong. I only played 3-5times. Don't fully understand most of it yet. Especially the scoring of it all. =[
Also IRC on box right?

Scoring is a bit strange to tell the truth.

Here is how it works.
To be able to win with a hand it need to contain a "Yaku". Yaku is a pattern which follows some certain rules. A common yaku are for example Tanyao aka All simples, a hand that only contains numbered tiles 2-8. Riichi is another common yaku which can be used to either give hand with no yaku one, or increase the value of hand.

Every Yaku has a certain "Han/Fan" value. Tanyo is worth 1 han while Toitoihou (all pons) are worth 2 for example. Several Yaku can be combined for even higher scores. Each Han is a score multiplier.

To get the score you first need to calculate the base value of the hand. It's generally 20 (or 30 in the case of closed hand winning on a discard) + points for pons/kans and specific waits. The final value is rounded up next even 10 and usually lands on either 30 or 40 but can go as high as 110. This base score is called "fu" (minipoints).

To get the total value of the hand you take the base score and double it once for every Han + 2 extra times (3 in the case of East winning), in math language it's written as score=fu*(2^(han+2). The value you get is the score everyone needs to pay in case of winning on a selfdraw. The score is rounded up to the next even 100. East pays double for selfdraw wins so you get total 4 times the score.

In case of the winning on a discard the discarder pays the total value so 4x the score, rounded up to 100 after multiplying.
If east wins it's just 3x (no east that can pay double) but as said above his score is doubled one more time so his final score ends up 1.5x that of the other players.

Scoring example:
40 base points, 3 han.
40*(2^(3+2)= 40 * 32 = 1280.
If winning on selfdraw that means every one pays 1300 point while east pays 2600.
If winning on discard the discarder pays 1280*4 = 6400.

Once you reach 8000 points (12000 for east) or 5 Han (which always results in a score of 8000+) you get a limit hand. From this point your base score does no longer matter, only Han.
5 Han = Mangan = 8000
6-7 Han = Haneman = 12000
8-9 Han = Baiman = 18000
10-12 Han = Sanbaiman = 24000
13+ Han = Yakuman = 36000
East win 50% more so 12000/18000/24000/36000/48000 instead.

Normally you don't need to know this math. Instead you use ready made tables where you cross check Fu and Han and get the score from that.

I've read all this before, but reason why its hard to understand fully for me is because its complicated for my mind to comprehend lol. I'm starting to understand it more day by day though =D.

[Mcgreag]

I've read all this before, but reason why its hard to understand fully for me is because its complicated for my mind to comprehend lol. I'm starting to understand it more day by day though =D.

As said on the last line you don't really need to understand the math. I would dare guess that the majority of all riichi players can not calculate the score by hand, it's not uncommon that in a mahjong playing group only 1 guy actually know how to calculate the score. Just get yourself a scoring sheet with the tables (there is one with both the yaku list and scoring tables from EMA).

And if you don't have scoring sheet either then you can make it even easier and just say:
1 han = 1000
2 han = 2000
3 han = 4000
4 han = 8000
50% more for east.
after that you have the mangan haneman etc list which you should probably learn anyway.

A much more important thing to learn are the Yaku list. As long as you know the Han number for a hand then you will be able to at least aproximite the value. It might seem difficult but it's not as hard as it looks. I suggest you learn them in order of how common they are. This means that you can mostly skip stuff like Ryan pei kou, San shoku doku and San kantsu for later as some of these are more rare than the most common yakuman hands (Suu ankou and Kokushimusou).

[XinWind]

I've read all this before, but reason why its hard to understand fully for me is because its complicated for my mind to comprehend lol. I'm starting to understand it more day by day though =D.

As said on the last line you don't really need to understand the math. I would dare guess that the majority of all riichi players can not calculate the score by hand, it's not uncommon that in a mahjong playing group only 1 guy actually know how to calculate the score. Just get yourself a scoring sheet with the tables (there is one with both the yaku list and scoring tables from EMA).

And if you don't have scoring sheet either then you can make it even easier and just say:
1 han = 1000
2 han = 2000
3 han = 4000
4 han = 8000
50% more for east.
after that you have the mangan haneman etc list which you should probably learn anyway.

A much more important thing to learn are the Yaku list. As long as you know the Han number for a hand then you will be able to at least aproximite the value. It might seem difficult but it's not as hard as it looks. I suggest you learn them in order of how common they are. This means that you can mostly skip stuff like Ryan pei kou, San shoku doku and San kantsu for later as some of these are more rare than the most common yakuman hands (Suu ankou and Kokushimusou).

I get the han part and stuff, but when it comes to always getting a yaku is when I fall short lol xP. I always also ain't to bright in memorize all the yaku. So yeah I'm learning and sooner or later I'll memorize it lol. Also another thing I don't quite get is the whole no/multiplier part. I usually get a hand that should have worked, but yeah multiplier always stops me lol. Either way I enjoy the game a lot and love to learn to play this game better. You should join us in irc =D. We're always looking for more people to join us and chat =P.

[Mcgreag]

I get the han part and stuff, but when it comes to always getting a yaku is when I fall short lol xP. I always also ain't to bright in memorize all the yaku. So yeah I'm learning and sooner or later I'll memorize it lol. Also another thing I don't quite get is the whole no/multiplier part. I usually get a hand that should have worked, but yeah multiplier always stops me lol. Either way I enjoy the game a lot and love to learn to play this game better. You should join us in irc =D. We're always looking for more people to join us and chat =P.

I assume you are playing the flash game here: http://www.gamedesign.jp/flash/mahjong/mahjong_e.html
In that game "no multiplier" actually means "no Yaku" ie the hand does not contain a scoring patter that allows it to finish.

A few tips:
Keep your hand closed, several easy and common yaku requires the hand to be closed to be counted. Pinfu (peace/chicken hand) is one such example. Another is riichi, if you have no other yaku then riichi will always work but only if the hand is closed.
Actually the only time you should open your hand is if you are close to specific yaku that allows open hand and doing so will bring you closer.
Some yaku for which opening your hand is ok but only if you are very close to finishing it: All simples (if the rule-set allows it, some variations require all simples to be closed), Outside hand (and it's variations like pure outside hand etc), straight, half color and color, dragon/own wind/round wind pon.
Note that dora while increasing your score is not a yaku, just having dora is not enough to to be allowed to finish your hand.

[XinWind]

I get the han part and stuff, but when it comes to always getting a yaku is when I fall short lol xP. I always also ain't to bright in memorize all the yaku. So yeah I'm learning and sooner or later I'll memorize it lol. Also another thing I don't quite get is the whole no/multiplier part. I usually get a hand that should have worked, but yeah multiplier always stops me lol. Either way I enjoy the game a lot and love to learn to play this game better. You should join us in irc =D. We're always looking for more people to join us and chat =P.

I assume you are playing the flash game here: http://www.gamedesign.jp/flash/mahjong/mahjong_e.html
In that game "no multiplier" actually means "no Yaku" ie the hand does not contain a scoring patter that allows it to finish.

A few tips:
Keep your hand closed, several easy and common yaku requires the hand to be closed to be counted. Pinfu (peace/chicken hand) is one such example. Another is riichi, if you have no other yaku then riichi will always work but only if the hand is closed.
Actually the only time you should open your hand is if you are close to specific yaku that allows open hand and doing so will bring you closer.
Some yaku for which opening your hand is ok but only if you are very close to finishing it: All simples (if the rule-set allows it, some variations require all simples to be closed), Outside hand (and it's variations like pure outside hand etc), straight, half color and color, dragon/own wind/round wind pon.
Note that dora while increasing your score is not a yaku, just having dora is not enough to to be allowed to finish your hand.

I play that and with Arveene, southrop, Mirgond, and a few other people =].

Also I kinda already figured what the no multiplier means after asking Areevne xP. Just have trouble making yaku sometime. I just ain't too bright when it comes to memorizing yaku's. Which usually leads to the no multiplier lol.

Thank you for the tips. I think its more of me needing to be patient and thats where the real problem is haha. Also me needing to memorize yaku's a bit more. xD

[relic2279]

I assume you are playing the flash game here: http://www.gamedesign.jp/flash/mahjong/mahjong_e.html

How difficult is that game, or rather, is the program sufficient enough to give regular joes entertainment or is it just simply a learning tool?

I have yet to play anyone other than a computer (still learning), but do fairly well against that game. My highest hand has been 18,000 points:

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I'm wondering if I should begin to try playing against real people now...

[Mirgond]

Yeah, take a visit at tenhou.net
Playing there is a lot different then playing against those PC-Bots there at gamedesign.jp...
A 6han Hand with 18k as East isn't that hard to get with some Dora tiles *cough*

You could visit us on the IRC and play a few games against us there (South, Arv and me are most of the time there...)

[XinWind]

Yeah, take a visit at tenhou.net
Playing there is a lot different then playing against those PC-Bots there at gamedesign.jp...
A 6han Hand with 18k as East isn't that hard to get with some Dora tiles *cough*

You could visit us on the IRC and play a few games against us there (South, Arv and me are most of the time there...)

Yup yup come play =]. We're all happy to have more people come and play =D. I'm the biggest noob out of everyone.

[dbml]

The final episode was amazing. I loved how the ending credits gave us a preview of what's to come. Season 2 is gonna be gooooooooood!

[XinWind]

The final episode was amazing. I loved how the ending credits gave us a preview of what's to come. Season 2 is gonna be gooooooooood!

MORE NOW PLEASE!!!!!! =[
Final episode was good, but I want more!!!!!
All previews do to me is make me suffer T.T

[dbml]

MORE NOW PLEASE!!!!!! =[
Final episode was good, but I want more!!!!!
All previews do to me is make me suffer T.T

I really thought I'd have had the same reaction... but I didn't for some reason. It ended at the right spot. I'm perfectly content with it all, and I'll patiently wait for more. That's so unlike me

Oh yeah. Saki gets a solid 9/10 from me.