How to Count Shanten
Last updated: 2026-06-18Shanten is the minimum number of tile changes to reach a winning hand—the foundation of tile efficiency.
Shanten Values
| Shanten | State | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| -1 | Win | Complete hand |
| 0 | Tenpai | One tile away |
| 1 | One-shanten | One step to tenpai |
| 2 | Two-shanten | Two steps to tenpai |
Say aloud what your hand still needs—that builds intuition.
How to Count
- Pick a pair candidate (or none)
- Count groups missing toward 4 melds + 1 pair
- Special counts for seven pairs / kokushi
Training here matches @kobalab/majiang-core logic.
One-shanten example
Shanten 1. Effective: 1m–3m, 5m–8m (7 types). Check which draw reaches tenpai—prerequisite for ukeire.
Wide one-shanten
Shanten 1, 9 types / 23 tiles effective. Same shanten, very different ukeire—see Counting Effective Tiles.
Drill
If m1112444456688 draws 3m, recount: tenpai or still one-shanten? Recount after every draw in play.
At tenpai, study Wait Types. Before discards, read Discard Strategy.