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Mahjong Master
advanced Triplet Very Rare

San Kantsu

三槓子 | San Kantsu

The hand contains three declared kans (quads).

By Kenji Tanaka · Updated

Overview

San kantsu, three kans, is a 2-han yaku earned when a single player declares three quads in one hand, whether concealed, open, or added. It is uncommon because forming three kans means drawing or claiming the fourth copy of three different tiles, and each kan also flips a new kan-dora indicator and pulls a replacement tile from the dead wall, so the hand both gains potential value and reshuffles. San kantsu pairs with toitoi and with concealed-triplet yaku when the kans are closed, and the heavy fu from multiple kans, especially closed kans of terminals or honors, can push the score up sharply. Declaring so many kans is risky, since the extra kan-dora can help opponents and the replacement draws and exposed quads reveal information, so it is usually a path you follow only when the tiles fall that way. A fourth kan by one player would instead make the yakuman suukantsu.

Han Value
2 han (closed) / 2 han (open)

Example Hand

1111m 5555p 9999s 23m 77z

Conditions

  • The hand must contain three kans (quads) that have been properly declared during the game
  • The kans can be open (daiminkan or shouminkan) or closed (ankan)
  • The fourth meld can be any type (sequence, triplet, or another kan)
  • The pair can be any tile
  • Worth 2 han regardless of whether the hand is open or closed
  • Three supplemental draw tiles (rinshan) are taken, and three new dora indicators are revealed

Strategy Tips

  • San kantsu is one of the rarest yaku in standard play. Do not actively aim for it; rather, recognize the opportunity when you have declared two kans and a third becomes possible.
  • Declaring three kans gives your opponents three additional dora indicators, which can make their hands very dangerous. Weigh the risk of powering up opponents’ hands against the 2 han you gain.
  • If you reach three kans, be aware that a fourth kan declared by any other player will cause an abortive draw (suukaikan). If you yourself can declare a fourth kan, you would achieve the suu kantsu yakuman instead.