Counting Effective Tiles
Last updated: 2026-06-18Ukeire means tiles that lower shanten after your discard. Quantifying it makes tile efficiency comparisons objective—learn this right after shanten.
What Is Ukeire
- Types — how many tile IDs help
- Counts — tiles left in the wall (4 minus held)
More types and tiles at the same shanten usually mean faster wins.
How to Count
- Apply each candidate discard
- Try adding each of 34 tile types; note those that reduce shanten
- Sum remaining copies (typically
4 - in hand)
Same definition as calculateEffectiveTiles in this project.
Wide one-shanten
Shanten 1, 9 types / 23 tiles. Every man tile helps—very fast shape.
Narrower comparison
Also shanten 1 but only 7 types—weaker efficiency.
Comparing Discards
When shanten stays equal, prefer maximum ukeire unless scoring or safety overrides. At one-shanten see One-Shanten Discard.
Basics: Shanten · Overview: Tile Efficiency.