Fu: Meaning in Riichi Mahjong

Definition

Fu are the minipoints that fine-tune scores below mangan. Hands start at a base of 20, then add fu for concealed triplets, terminal and honor sets, closed-wait shapes, value-tile pairs, and the win method (a closed ron adds 10, a tsumo adds 2), with the total rounded up to the nearest 10. Two fixed cases to memorize: pinfu with tsumo is always 20 fu, chiitoitsu always 25. From 5 han up, the named tiers take over and fu stops mattering entirely.

Fu (符)

Fu (符) are minipoints in mahjong that form one half of the scoring calculation. Combined with han (hand value), fu determines the final payment amount for a winning hand.

The mechanics of Fu

Fu represents the structural complexity and difficulty of a hand’s composition. While han measures the hand’s pattern value, fu measures its technical construction. Every winning hand has a base value of 20 fu, with additional points awarded based on specific hand elements.

Scoring Components

Fu is calculated by adding points for various hand features:

Melds (Meld Types)

Concealed triplet (ankou): 4 fu (simples), 8 fu (terminals/honors)
Open triplet (minkou): 2 fu (simples), 4 fu (terminals/honors)
Concealed kan (ankan): 16 fu (simples), 32 fu (terminals/honors)
Open kan (minkan): 8 fu (simples), 16 fu (terminals/honors)
Sequence (shuntsu): 0 fu

Pair Bonuses

Value-tile pair (dragon, or your seat/round wind): 2 fu
Seat wind pair: 2 fu
Prevailing wind pair: 2 fu
Other pairs: 0 fu

Wait Pattern

Single wait (tanki): 2 fu
Edge wait (penchan): 2 fu
Closed wait (kanchan): 2 fu
Open wait (ryanmen): 0 fu

Win Method

Self-drawn win (tsumo): 2 fu (except pinfu)
Concealed-hand ron (menzen kafu): 10 fu
Open-hand ron: 0 fu

Base Fu

All hands begin with 20 fu as a baseline. This represents the minimum structural value. From this foundation, additional fu are added based on the hand’s composition.

Fu and Scoring Tiers

Fu works in conjunction with han to determine payment amounts. The combination creates distinct scoring tiers:

Mangan (満貫): 2,000 points base, independent of fu
Haneman (跳満): 3,000 points base
Baiman (倍満): 4,000 points base
Sanbaiman (三倍満): 6,000 points base
Yakuman (役満): 8,000 points base

For hands below mangan, fu becomes critical. A hand with 3 han and 30 fu scores differently than 3 han and 40 fu.

Rounding and Calculation

Fu is always rounded up to the nearest 10 in standard riichi mahjong. If your calculation yields 34 fu, it becomes 40 fu. This rounding often creates strategic considerations for players deciding whether to declare riichi or pursue specific melds.

Example: Fu in a real hand

A player wins with a hand containing:

One closed pung of characters (4 fu)
One open pung of bamboo (2 fu)
Two chows (0 fu)
A dragon pair (2 fu)
Single wait win (2 fu)
Self-drawn win (2 fu)
Base value (20 fu)

Total: 4 + 2 + 0 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 20 = 32 fu (rounds to 40 fu)

If this hand also has 2 han, the 2 han 40 fu combination determines the payment tier and final point value.

Fu