• 1. Introduction
• 2. Begin the match
□ 2.1. How to determine if a card can be acquired
• 3. Mid-game strategies
□ 3.1. Determine the value of the card
• 4. Defense strategy
• 5. When to call Koi-koi?
1. Introduction
Koi-koi here refers to the classic Japanese Hanafuda card game.
Here I just assume you already know how to identify the cards and the basic
yakus. However I would still make a list of them to make sure the version of
the game you player is at least similar to the one discussed here. The
translation might be a bit off and the values could be different, but I believe
the general rule would still apply.
Table 1. Yaku table
Name Value
Goko 15
Shiko 10
Ameshiko 8
Sanko 6
Inoshikacho 5
Akatan/Aotan 5
Tsukimisake/Hanamisake 3
Tan/Tane/Kasu 1
2. Begin the match
It is definitely advantageous to become oya. However, since the oya of first
round it is determined by randomized process, there is really much thing to be
discussed here.
After get the hand, you should get an idea of which yaku your hand can possibly
make, taking the cards on table that you can definitely get at the first round
into accounts. If you have three of the Hikari exclude the Ono then just aim
for Sanko or higher; if it is Tane or Tan, then see if you can make it to
Inoshikacho/Akatan/Aotan, or stay focus on get five of a kind as quick as
possible. If it is Kasu, well, good luck then.
2.1. How to determine if a card can be acquired
If it is one of the following conditions, it is safe to assume you can get the
card later, and is it better to do so for different reasons. Otherwise you need
to be fast.
• There are one in the hand and other three of the same month on the table:
congratulation! You can just pick up them all at once, it is better off
pick other valuable cards from different months first, since your opponent
won't able to pickup the three anyway.
• There are two of the same month on the hand and two other card on the
table: they are all yours, but it just took some rounds to get them, if you
can pick up any other cards, pickup them first to slow done your opponent.
• There are two of the same month on the table and one other card needed is
in the hand: it is still safe to get the card later. Just pay some
attention if the opponent is going to make a Tan/Tane/Kasu yaku soon.
• There are two of the same month on the hand, one of them is needed, and one
other card is on the table: you may pick up the one in your hand a few
rounds later, but just don't be too late.
• You have a pair of the same month, the other pair is not on the table nor
already acquired: you need to be patient for a while to prevent the
situation that your opponent has one or more cards of the same month in the
hand.
• You have one of the left pair of the month, the other pair has already been
acquired: you can only wait in such situation, isn't it?
• There is one card needed in the hand, no other cards of the same month are
on the table: you need to wait patiently for them to show up if you don't
want to lose the valuable card.
3. Mid-game strategies
The main mid-game strategy is as simple as grab any valuable cards and prevent
your opponent form any yaku, while making your yaku as fast as possible.
Postpone taking the cards that will 100% be in your pocket and reduce the card
your opponent can take as much as possible as an attack if you don't you can
form a yaku right now.
3.1. Determine the value of the card
There are a few cards that worth extra attention.
• Moon, Curtain and Sake: they can easily form the Tsukimisake and Hanamisake
yaku, and even more powerful if combined with Sanko. Even when you cannot
the related yakus your should still make some effort preventing the
opponent to form the yaku. However, if is has become to the situation that
neither of the player can form the yaku, it is pointless to collect them.
• Other Hikaris are not worthy if compared to cards that belonging to the
yaku your are current pursuing, especially if it is part of Aotan or
Akatan. Always remember that you still need a yaku to win.
4. Defense strategy
Although this is not an official player terminology, I would take defense in
this game as the strategy to play in a round when there are no cards you can
take on the table.
It is now a good time to get the pairs that are in the hand, remember put down
the less valuable card first since it is possible for the opponent to have card
of matching month in the hand.
At this time, you should really consider pursuing Kasu by taking away the cards
on the table as much as possible.
5. When to call Koi-koi?
The rule is, you don't. Unless you can 100% be sure that you can make another
yaku in next couple rounds plus it is impossible for the opponent to make any
yaku before that. Even it is when you made a Tsukimisake/Hanamisake at the very
first round, you should still go to next round as the oya with what you have to
keep the advantage you've got.
