Learn how to play and win at Riichi Mahjong in Neverness to Everness (NTE). This beginner-friendly guide covers the basic rules, how to form winning hands (Yaku), and the key differences from Mahjong Inferno.
Table of Contents
| Related Articles | |
| Hethereau Hobbies | City Delivery |
| Racing | Swift Travel |
| Pink Paws Heist | Sea Angler |
| Mahjong Inferno | Tetrominoes |
| Owner's Selection | Super Sound |
| Fight Club | |
Riichi Mahjong Rules
Uses Standard Riichi Mahjong Rules
NTE's Riichi Mahjong follows traditional Japanese rules. The core goal is to use calls like Pung and Chow, or declare Riichi, to form a valid Yaku and win the round before your opponents.
Main Differences from Mahjong Inferno
| Rule | Features |
|---|---|
| Riichi Mahjong | Standard Japanese rules. The Round ends when one person wins. |
| Mahjong Inferno | Uses only 3 tile suits. The Round continues even if someone wins. |
Unlike the alternative Mahjong Inferno mode, Riichi Mahjong focuses heavily on standard Yaku combinations and winning quickly. Choose the mode that best fits your playstyle!
Mahjong Inferno Rules and LocationBasic Rules and How to Win a Hand
Create 4 Melds and 1 Pair
In Mahjong, your goal is to arrange 14 tiles into '4 Melds' and '1 Pair'. Completing this specific hand structure before anyone else is the basic win condition.
How to Make Melds and Pairs
A Meld consists of either three sequential numbers in the same suit (e.g., 2-3-4) or three identical tiles (e.g., East-East-East). A Pair is simply any two identical tiles.
The Advantageous "Dora"
During a match, certain tiles act as a "Dora." If you win a hand containing a Dora, it acts as a bonus tile that boosts your total score. Beginners should try to keep these tiles in their hand instead of discarding them.
How to Spot a Dora Tile
You can identify the current Dora by checking the Dora Indicator on your screen. The Dora is always the tile sequentially next to the one displayed (for example, if the indicator shows a 'Two', the Dora is 'Three').
About Red Dora
You may also draw special tiles painted entirely red. These automatically count as a Dora just by holding them. Treat them like a standard Dora and try to incorporate them into your winning hand.
About Match Progression and Dealer/Non-Dealer/Repeat Dealerships
Mahjong is played in "Rounds" where one player acts as the "Dealer" and the others as "Non-Dealers". Turns move counter-clockwise. If the Dealer wins the round, they keep the Dealer role. If a Non-Dealer wins, the Dealer position passes to the next player.
The Person with the 'East' Wind Becomes the Dealer
The player roles rotate in the order of East→South→West→North. The player assigned the 'East' wind acts as the Dealer. When the Dealer role changes, the 'East' designation moves counter-clockwise.
About the Dealer's Turn and Wind Tiles
The Dealer has a massive scoring advantage. If you win a round as the Dealer, your score is multiplied by 1.5. Additionally, 'Wind tiles' that match your seat or the current Round become an instant Yaku if you collect three of them.
What Are the 'Wind Tiles' That Become a Yaku?
Honor tiles that match your Seat Wind or the Prevalent Wind of the match automatically form a Yaku if you collect three identical ones. Keep an eye on the East, South, West, and North tiles!
What is Prevalent Wind?
The Prevalent Wind applies to all players at the table. Matches usually start in the 'East' round, meaning any player can form a valid Yaku by collecting three 'East' tiles.
What is Seat Wind?
Your Seat Wind is your specific assigned direction. Starting from the Dealer (East), it rotates counter-clockwise as South, West, and North. Your Seat Wind will change whenever the Dealer shifts.
How to Win and Tips for Beginners
Mahjong has deep mechanics, but you don't need to memorize everything to enjoy the minigame! By following these simple tips, even complete beginners can secure consistent wins.
Don't Call "Pung" or "Chow"
When starting out, ignore the prompts to call "Pung" or "Chow" on other players' discarded tiles. Taking discards significantly increases the risk of breaking your Yaku, leaving you unable to win (a state called No Yaku).
Just Aim for "Riichi"
Build your hand relying strictly on the tiles you draw yourself. Once you are exactly one tile away from completing your hand, declare "Riichi." Riichi counts as a Yaku on its own, bypassing the need for complex tile combinations.
Know Just 3 Easy-to-Remember Yaku
| Yaku Name | Conditions and Features |
|---|---|
| Riichi | Just declare it when you are one tile away from being able to win without making any calls. A beginner's strongest weapon. |
| Tanyao | A Yaku made entirely of 'numbered tiles from 2 to 8', without using any '1s, 9s, or honor tiles'. |
| Yakuhai | A Yaku made by collecting three 'White Dragon, Green Dragon, or Red Dragon' tiles, or wind tiles that match your Seat Wind or Prevalent Wind. |
While spamming "Riichi" is a great starting strategy, memorizing these three basic Yaku will drastically improve your win rate.
If an Opponent Is About to Win, Fold
If an opponent seems close to a win, play it safe and focus entirely on defense (Folding). If you discard the exact same tiles that your opponent has already safely discarded, you are guaranteed not to play into their winning hand. Survival is key!
Riichi Mahjong Rewards
Receive Rewards Based on Final Ranking
Playing Mahjong earns you "Chirpy Sparrow Balls" based on your final placement. You can spend this currency by speaking to 'Kureha' inside the parlor to unlock exclusive Mahjong skins and special effect animations.
Consume City Stamina to Get Fons
After a match, you can trade City Stamina to acquire Fons, with the exchange rate depending on your final rank. A bonus multiplier based on your Tycoon Level is also applied, so leveling up your Tycoon rank is highly recommended!
| Note! | City Stamina consumption changes according to rank: 25 for 1st place, 20 for 2nd, 15 for 3rd, and 10 for 4th. |
|---|
| Related Articles | |
|---|---|
| How to Use City Stamina | How to Raise Your Tycoon Level |
Shinku's Life Skills are Effective
By equipping Shinku's "Competitive" Life Skill, you will consume more City Stamina per match, but in return, your payout rewards are significantly increased. This is an excellent way to dump excess City Stamina quickly.
Shinku Build: Best Arcs & TeamWhere to Play Riichi Mahjong
Playable at Little Sparrow in Miguel District
You can play the newly added Riichi Mahjong by interacting with the Mahjong Tables located inside Little Sparrow in the Miguel District. Keep in mind that these tables are entirely separate from Mahjong Inferno.
Cannot Be Played at Home
Placing a mahjong table inside your personal Apartment only grants access to Mahjong Inferno. To play standard Riichi Mahjong, you must travel to the Little Sparrow parlor.
How to Unlock
Mahjong minigames in NTE unlock once you reach Hunter Level 11. Focus on leveling up your Hunter Level to unlock this feature!
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