Menzen Tsumo

Menzen Tsumo

Menzen Tsumo (門前清自摸和, めんぜんツモ) is a 1-han yaku earned by winning through self-draw (tsumo) with a completely closed hand (no called melds). Often simply called “tsumo” during gameplay, this yaku provides bonus value for winning by drawing your own winning tile rather than calling ron on another player’s discard.

Understanding Menzen Tsumo

Requirements

To score menzen tsumo, you must meet two conditions:

1. Closed hand (menzenchin): No pon, chi, or minkan (open kan) called during the hand
2. Self-draw win: You draw your winning tile yourself rather than winning by ron

If you call any meld that opens your hand, you cannot score menzen tsumo even if you later draw your winning tile.

Payment Structure

Menzen tsumo affects not just the han value but also the payment structure:

Ron win: The discarder pays the full amount alone Tsumo win: All three opponents pay. For non-dealers:

• Dealer pays double
• Non-dealers pay single This split payment can be advantageous, spreading the cost across multiple players rather than bankrupting a single opponent.

Interaction with Pinfu

When menzen tsumo combines with pinfu (all sequences yaku), a special rule applies: the usual 2 fu for winning by tsumo is not counted, so the hand scores at a flat 20 fu. Without this exception, the tsumo fu would contradict pinfu’s definition as a no-fu hand. You still score both yaku (pinfu + menzen tsumo = 2 han minimum), and the 20-fu, 2-han tsumo is one of the most common cheap closed wins in the game.

Common Misconceptions

“Tsumo” vs. “Menzen Tsumo”: The act of winning by self-draw is called “tsumo.” The yaku for doing so with a closed hand is “menzen tsumo.” If your hand is open, you can still win by tsumo, but you don’t score the menzen tsumo yaku, your opponents still split the payment, but you get no extra han.

Strategic Considerations

Riichi + Menzen Tsumo: Since riichi requires a closed hand, riichi hands that win by tsumo automatically include menzen tsumo. This common combination provides 2 han minimum before considering other yaku or dora.

Closed Hand Advantage: Keeping your hand closed (menzenchin) preserves the possibility of scoring menzen tsumo if you self-draw. This consideration often influences the decision between calling melds for speed versus maintaining closed-hand bonus potential.

Example: Menzen Tsumo in a real hand

You build a closed hand and declare riichi. On your next turn, you draw your winning tile (tsumo). Because your hand was closed throughout and you won by self-draw, you score riichi (1 han) + menzen tsumo (1 han) = 2 han minimum. All three opponents pay their share: the dealer pays double, and the two non-dealers pay single amounts. If you had won by ron instead, only the discarder would pay, and you wouldn’t score menzen tsumo.