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WI-FI TAIOU YAKUMAN DS
MAHJONG TUTORIAL TRANSLATION
Written by Patrick Shields (
[email protected])
Last updated on 20th September 2006
-----------------------------------
// INTRODUCTION //
This FAQ is a complete translation of the tutorial mode in
Wi-Fi Taiou Yakuman DS.
// VERSION HISTORY //
Version 1.0.1 (20th September 2006)
Minor corrections incl. index layout cleanup.
Version 1.0 (18th September 2006)
Complete translation of the Mahjong Tutorial, Steps 1-3.
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INDEX
i. Notes
ii. What this FAQ doesn't include
iii. How to start the in-game tutorial
1. Step 1: Mahjong Essentials -- From the Basics to Riichi
2. Step 2: Pon, Chi and Yaku
3. Step 3: High scoring with compound Yaku
4. Legal Info
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// i. NOTES //
As Wi-fi Taiou Yakuman DS is nothing more than a remake of Yakuman DS with added
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection functionality, this FAQ can also be used with in
conjunction with Yakuman DS.
Both versions of Yakuman DS use the Japanese standard Mahjong rules and these
are what the tutorial teaches. These rules differ substantially from the Chinese
and American/Jewish variations.
The tutorial consists of screens of text with explanatory diagrams, and sections
guiding the player through actual Mahjong gameplay. In this FAQ I have separated
each screen of text, to be advanced with the 'A' button in-game, with a line of
three asterisks:
***
You can of course read this FAQ on its own but I recommend going along with the
tutorial as you read, referring to any onscreen diagrams or animations, and
advancing each screen/paragraph with the 'A' button on your DS.
Important Japanese terms are included alongside their English equivalents in
parentheses:
---
Mahjong is played with tiles (PAI) ...
---
Some terms have not been translated and used as-is:
---
These are called YAKU.
---
I have not used the Japanese terms for the suits beyond their initial apperance
in the tutorial.
Tiles in the suit with Chinese characters on them are referred to as NUNMBERS,
tiles in the suit with dots on the tiles are referred to as DOTS, and
tiles in the suit with lines on the tiles are referred to as BAMBOOS.
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// ii. WHAT THIS FAQ DOESN'T INCLUDE //
- Mahjong strategies beyond those explained in the actual tutorial
- Reference to non-Japanese variations of Mahjong e.g. Chinese, American/Jewish
(applies to all non-Japanese rules and most non-Japanese terms, except
where the Japanese term is imported from Chinese; in referring to the
numbers in each suit, where I have used the notation 1-Bamboo, 2-Dot, etc.;
in referring to the kinds of set, where I have used the terms "three of a
kind" and "sequence"; and in calling the non-wind character tiles the
White, Green & Red Dragons)
- Translation of other in-game text besides the menus used to access the
tutorial
- Guidance for actual gameplay
- Glossary of Romaji pronunciation
Any or all of the above are possibilities for inclusion in a later version of
the FAQ, but even at this stage it is occasionally impossible, when assuming the
reader is an absolute beginner, not to digress and include some supplementary
information.
But going too far with that would make this FAQ very unwieldy, both to read and
write, so I would hope that the reader has some grounding in the game, or will
use this FAQ alongside other, non-Yakuman DS specific Mahjong guides.
Basic things like the green dot indicating which tile to discard are left as
an exercise for the reader to work out. This may seem impractical but I want to
put a practical limit on what to include in the first version, and work on
expanding the FAQ from there.
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// iii. HOW TO START THE IN-GAME TUTORIAL //
The second option on the main menu is Mahjong Tutorial. Select this and you will
be taken to the Step Index. Select a step to get started on that section.
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// 1. STEP 1: MAHJONG ESSENTIALS -- FROM THE BASICS TO RIICHI
Welcome to the Mahjong Tutorial.
***
Here you will learn the basic rules of Mahjong. Let's get started!
***
Mahjong is a game where four players compete to get the highest score.
***
The winner takes points from the other players.
***
Mahjong is played with tiles (PAI) which have various designs on them.
***
There are three suits consisting of tiles numbered from 1 to 9.
MANZU
SOUZU
PINZU
***
There are also 7 character tiles (TSUUPAI).
***
That's ten kinds of tile in total.
***
There are four of each one of these tiles.
***
In Mahjong, the player aims to make these tiles into certain patterns.
***
The patterns are:
***
Three of a kind, or...
***
..three of the same suit in sequence.
***
Four such patterns...
***
.. and a head (ATAMA), which is a pair of the same tile, completes the
hand.
***
Aim for the basic pattern of 3-3-3-3-2, for a total of 14 tiles.
***
There are many set combinations of the basic patterns which affect your score.
***
These are called YAKU.
HONCHANTAIYAOCHUU
IKKITSUUKAN YAKUHAI
DAISANGEN
***
At the start of the game each player is distributed 13 tiles.
***
Players take turns to draw tiles and exchange them for unwanted tiles in their
hand in order to get out of the game (AGARI).
***
When a player gets out, one round of the game is finished.
***
Next, I'll explain the flow of the game while you play along with me.
***
OK, let's see how a game of Mahjong is actually played.
***
You're going to try for the simplest YAKU, which is RIICHI.
***
With this new tile you would have two North (PEH) tiles, so let's take it.
***
In exchange for it, get rid of a tile you don't need.
***
You should keep tiles like the 1-Bamboo & 3-Bamboo and 4-Dot & 6-Dot, which
could be made into sets.
***
Now you've made a sequence of numbers and completed a set.
***
You've made three of a kind and completed another set.
***
You don't particularly need this tile. You can just discard it.
***
You can also discard any other tile you don't think you'll need.
(For the tutorial, always discard the tile indicated by the green dot.
If you choose a tile that will be needed later you get this message:
"If you discard that tile, you won't be able to get out of the game.
Choose another one."
Avoid confusion by discarding the recommended tile.)
***
You've made a sequence and completed another set.
***
You only need one more set to finish. You'll need a 3- or 6-Number to make the
last set.
***
Unfortunately, though, you won't get any YAKU with this particular overall tile
combination.
***
Now let's declare RIICHI.
***
In doing so, you will not be able to discard any tile other than ones you draw.
You also let the other players know that you're one tile away from winning.
***
However, declaring RIICHI still gives you a YAKU, and you can still win from
RIICHI status.
***
So, let's declare RIICHI!
***
Now if you get a 3- or 6-Number, you're finished.
***
The state of being one tile away from winning is called TEMPAI.
***
Someone has discarded a 3-Number.
***
When in TEMPAI, you can get out by receiving a tile discarded by an opponent.
***
To do so, you must declare RON.
***
Let's do it!
***
Once someone makes a YAKU and gets out, one round of the game is over.
***
This is done many times over the course of a full game.
***
Do you understand everything so far?
YES NO
(Select YES to go back to the Step Index.)
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// 2. STEP 2: PON, CHI AND YAKU
***
Mahjong is a game where you gather tiles to create YAKU.
***
However, it's difficult to make up sets of three tiles by yourself.
***
This is where PON comes in handy.
***
PON is a rule whereby you can take a tile discarded by another player and use it
to complete a three of a kind set in your hand.
***
Let's try it out.
***
Look at your tiles.
***
You have one complete set, and four others that are one tile from completion.
***
You don't need this tile, so discard it.
***
You can also discard any other tile you don't think you'll need.
(see note in Step 1 on recommended discards)
***
Someone has discarded a Red Dragon (CHUN). If you had this tile you could
complete a three of a kind of Red Dragons.
***
You can declare PON to take this tile.
***
Let's declare PON.
***
The set completed by declaring PON must be made visible to everyone.
***
The tiles are displayed to the other players and set at the end of your hand.
***
Actually, just by making three of a kind with the White Dragon (HAKU), Green
Dragon (HATSU) or Red Dragon tiles (the Three Great Dragons (SANGENPAI)), you
have made a YAKU.
***
You now have a YAKU.
***
PON is handy but it makes it easier for your opponents to see what YAKU you're
aiming for, so use it cautiously.
***
If you had this tile you could complete a set.
***
Let's take it using PON.
***
Now you've added another complete set and are in TEMPAI mode. Let's try to get
out.
***
Discard any unwanted tiles.
***
A 5-Dot has been discarded. You can get out now if you RON this tile.
***
Let's do it.
***
Now you know how to use PON.
***
But PON isn't the only way to make use of your opponents' tiles.
***
I'll explain another way now.
***
PON was used to complete a three of a kind set.
***
You can also use an opponent's tile o complete a sequence.
***
When they discard a tile you need, declaring CHI claims that tile for you.
***
However, you can only declare CHI with tiles discarded by the player to your
left.
***
That makes it a little different from PON.
***
Now let's try it in practise.
***
Discard tiles you don't need.
***
A 1-Bamboo has been discarded by the player to you left, so you can declare CHI.
***
Let's do it.
***
You've done it.
***
Now you have one more complete set.
***
Take a good look at your tiles.
***
You have the 1-8 of Dots. If you had the 9-Dot, you'd have all that suit.
***
Having a complete run of a uit in your hand gives you a YAKU called
IKKITSUUKAN.
***
This is a great chance to aim for that YAKU!
***
Discard tiles you don't need.
***
The player on your left has discarded 9-Dot.
***
Let's declare CHI for it.
***
You've completed the IKKITSUUKAN YAKU. All you have to do now is make up the
rest of the hand.
***
You've drawn a 5-Bamboo.
***
Drawing a tile that completes your hand and lets you get out is called TSUMO.
***
Let's declare TSUMO.
***
Now you know how to use opponents' tiles using PON and CHI.
***
PON and CHI make it easier to complete your hand that just using tiles you
draw yourself.
***
But they make it easy to read your hand, and can reduce your YAKU score.
***
If a tile is discarded and there is both a player who can declare PON for it
and one who can declare CHI, PON takes precedence.
***
If you analyze the situation and use the techniques, you'll get more enjoyment
out of Mahjong.
***
Do you understand everything so far?
YES NO
(Select YES to go back to the Step Index.)
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// 3. STEP 3: HIGH SCORING WITH COMPOUND YAKU
***
Mahjong is a points-based game.
***
Different YAKU are worth different amounts of points.
***
You could say that the higher the points you get out of each round with, the
closer you are to winning the game.
***
For example, the YAKUHAI YAKU...
***
.. the IKKITSUUKAN YAKU...
***
.. and the RIICHI YAKU.
***
If you can get out with all three of these, then of course you get a higher
score.
***
Now let's play a game for real.
***
You already have 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 Bamboo. If you had the 5 and 9 you
could complete the IKKITSUUKAN YAKU.
***
Three HATSU is a YAKU. You have two already, so you only need one more.
***
You're in a position to aim for both the IKKITSUUKAN and YAKUHAI YAKU.
***
Discard tiles you don't need.
***
You drew a 9-Bamboo. All you need is the 5-Bamboo to make IKKITSUUKAN.
***
You've got three HATSU. That's one YAKU complete.
***
If you get a 5-Bamboo, you complete IKKITSUUKAN and are ready to get out.
***
You're in TEMPAI state now, so let's declare RIICHI and make our score even
higher!
***
We have a new YAKU to add to the ones you already know -- RIICHI, IKKITSUUKAN
and YAKUHAI.
***
HON'IISOU is a hand made up of only one suit and character tiles.
***
There are many YAKU like this that can be used in combinations.
***
You should memorise many kinds of YAKU and aim for a high score.
***
However, higher scoring YAKU are both more difficult to complete and more
dependent on luck.
***
To aim for high-scoring YAKU? Or to get out quickly with a low score?
***
Deciding which strategy is the pleasure of Mahjong.
***
Do you now know the basics of Mahjong?
***
It's a four player game played for points, right?
***
It's a very deep game with many YAKU combinations.
***
There are many more things to learn about Mahjong.
***
Try to remember the kinds of YAKU and their scores as you play.
***
It's also important to read the contents of your opponents' hands as you play.
***
If you keep playing you should be able to do this naturally.
***
This game has advice functions and a dictionary of Mahjong terminology.
***
Feel free to use them to get more out of Mahjong.
***
OK to end the tutorial?
YES NO
(Select YES to go back to the Step Index.)
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// 4. LEGAL INFO
This FAQ may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for
personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise
distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide
on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly
prohibited, and a violation of copyright.
Copyright 2006 Patrick Shields.
