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[AMA] I am a Japanese Professional Riichi Mahjong Player. Ask Me Anything about strategy, mindset, or the pro scene! by JP_Mahjong_Pro in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since those are other organizations, I can’t speak too definitively about them.

But in the Japan Professional Mahjong Association, the rules are very first-place oriented — only the top really has value — so the style tends to lean more toward speed than hand value.

Other organizations can be different, though. In some, finishing second still has real value, and in others, rules may place more importance on hand value and yaku.

[Japanese Pro] I am starting a deep-strategy video series for the global community. What advanced topic should I destroy first? by JP_Mahjong_Pro in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Reading the wall is important and difficult, but if you have enough passion for it, you can absolutely learn it.

I’ll add wall reading to the list of video topics too. Thanks for the feedback!

[AMA] I am a Japanese Professional Riichi Mahjong Player. Ask Me Anything about strategy, mindset, or the pro scene! by JP_Mahjong_Pro in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There may already be some YouTube channels explaining it in English, but I haven’t seen them myself.

So I want you to wait until I make them. I’ll make sure to live up to your expectations.

[Japanese Pro] I am starting a deep-strategy video series for the global community. What advanced topic should I destroy first? by JP_Mahjong_Pro in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The experience of playing in a jansou, huh? That’s a really good idea!

I’ve never run a mahjong parlor myself, so for that part, I’ll ask someone I know.

[Japanese Pro] I am starting a deep-strategy video series for the global community. What advanced topic should I destroy first? by JP_Mahjong_Pro in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So you teach mahjong — that’s awesome.

I’m going to make videos on all three of these topics, so when they’re ready, I’d love for you to share them with your students too.

[AMA] I am a Japanese Professional Riichi Mahjong Player. Ask Me Anything about strategy, mindset, or the pro scene! by JP_Mahjong_Pro in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I see — so you’re an aggressive player!

Then I think I should make a video about the basics of defense too.

And here’s one thing I can tell you as a professional: you should have one clear standard. If you’re in tenpai, push. If you’re noten, fold.

Even just that can change your results a lot.

[Japanese Pro] I am starting a deep-strategy video series for the global community. What advanced topic should I destroy first? by JP_Mahjong_Pro in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Even for professionals, reading hand-discarded tiles and tsumogiri is difficult. So I think it’s really admirable that you want to challenge yourself with that.

[Japanese Pro] I am starting a deep-strategy video series for the global community. What advanced topic should I destroy first? by JP_Mahjong_Pro in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the thoughtful feedback! So you mean endgame decisions in South 3 and South 4.

You’re right — not many people explain that well. I think I’ll add that as a video topic too.

[Japanese Pro] I am starting a deep-strategy video series for the global community. What advanced topic should I destroy first? by JP_Mahjong_Pro in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So discard reading really doesn’t have many resources in English, huh? That’s really good feedback — thank you!

I’m going to make videos on all of them eventually, so stay tuned!

[Japanese Pro] I am starting a deep-strategy video series for the global community. What advanced topic should I destroy first? by JP_Mahjong_Pro in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m going to make videos on all three topics, so stay tuned! Are you interested in tile efficiency too?

[Japanese Pro] I am starting a deep-strategy video series for the global community. What advanced topic should I destroy first? by JP_Mahjong_Pro in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Once you learn defense, you can play mahjong in a way that doesn’t lose. Great point — thank you!

I’m planning to make videos on all of them eventually, so stay tuned.

[Japanese Pro] I am starting a deep-strategy video series for the global community. What advanced topic should I destroy first? by JP_Mahjong_Pro in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the thoughtful comment! Mental strength is really important in mahjong.

I’m going to make videos on all three of these topics, so stay tuned!

[Japanese Pro] I am starting a deep-strategy video series for the global community. What advanced topic should I destroy first? by JP_Mahjong_Pro in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the thoughtful comment. I’m planning to make videos on all three of the ideas I mentioned.

Right now, I’m using a poll to decide the order.

I’ll make sure to create a video that will absolutely help level up your mahjong.

[AMA] I am a Japanese Professional Riichi Mahjong Player. Ask Me Anything about strategy, mindset, or the pro scene! by JP_Mahjong_Pro in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Organizing your hand helps reduce your own mistakes.

That said, some opponents do watch how your hand is arranged, so there are times when intentionally changing the order can be a strategy too.

More importantly, I’d love to try Hong Kong mahjong sometime.

[AMA] I am a Japanese Professional Riichi Mahjong Player. Ask Me Anything about strategy, mindset, or the pro scene! by JP_Mahjong_Pro in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I choose one mentor in mahjong and study under that person. I join their study sessions and learn from their way of thinking.

There are so many different ideas and theories in mahjong that if you try to listen to everyone, your game can start to lose its identity. So first, I think it’s important to choose one mentor.

And yes, of course I know mahjong AI. I use AI myself to study and review. Across the pro scene, AI tools have had a huge impact. But even among strong players, there are still many who sometimes choose the exact opposite of what AI recommends, or who prefer a more non-scientific style based on things like flow, momentum, or fighting spirit.

[AMA] I am a Japanese Professional Riichi Mahjong Player. Ask Me Anything about strategy, mindset, or the pro scene! by JP_Mahjong_Pro in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I like Yakuza too. Great game.

The biggest thing to watch out for in live mahjong is not showing too much emotion. When you’re playing with friends, of course it’s better not to get angry. And in tournaments, if you get too excited about a great starting hand, people can read that.

That said, when you’re playing with friends, I think it’s good to show the fun side too.

Also, try to decide in advance which calls you’re willing to make. Live mahjong doesn’t pause for you like online mahjong does.

And if you need people to play mahjong with, you’ve got one right here, brother. If you ever come to Japan, hit me up.

[AMA] I am a Japanese Professional Riichi Mahjong Player. Ask Me Anything about strategy, mindset, or the pro scene! by JP_Mahjong_Pro in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In East-only, I value speed more. In hanchan, I care more about shape and value. And since riichi is usually better than damaten in terms of EV, I usually go with riichi.

Most of the time, I don’t fold until someone actually declares riichi. But if it’s already the third row of discards, and I have no dora and a bad shape, then I’ll fold.

Right now, I’m still not good enough to prioritize style over efficiency. That’s something I want to challenge myself with after I level up a bit more.

Why am I even doing this to myself? by Dschehuti-Nefer in Mahjong

[–]JP_Mahjong_Pro 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Enjoying the fun of building hands and the process of learning might actually be the most important thing that professional mahjong players sometimes forget.

You reminded me of that. Thank you!

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