Pinfu
Last updated: 2026-08-18Pinfu is a core closed 1-han yaku: four sequences plus a non-yakuhai pair, with a two-sided wait. Study with Riichi Mahjong Yaku Guide and Counting Han.
Requirements
All four must hold:
- Closed hand — no melds
- Four sequences — no triplets or quads (seven pairs is separate)
- Non-yakuhai pair — pair cannot be round wind, seat wind, or dragon
- Two-sided wait — middle-tile wait on both sides; kanchan, penchan, and tanki do not qualify
Fixed 1 han, closed only.
Valid example
Ron on 5 pin. Four sequences + pin 55 pair, waiting on 5/8 pin. Also Tanyao — 2 han (tanpin).
Invalid or confusing
Ron on 7 sou is a kanchan wait (needs 6 sou). Tanyao may apply, but no pinfu. See Wait Types.
Stacking and open hands
Pinfu does not apply after melding. Often stacks with tanyao, iipeikou, sanshoku, etc. When the shape fits iipeikou, iipeikou is preferred over seven pairs (ryanpeikou is higher; not a separate article in this batch).
Scoring
Pinfu hands are often 30 fu (base 20 + pair 0 + sequences 0 + two-sided 0, rounded). With tanyao, the same fu structure applies. Details in Fu Calculation Basics.