On the mahjong table, you will occasionally hear someone exclaiming "Tianhu"! For many poker players,Mahjong is so crazy, okay?It is a curious and entangled question. Tianhu is an extremely rare card type in Mahjong. Not only is the probability extremely low, but it also has different treatment methods in the rules of different regions. This article will provide you with a detailed analysis of Tianhu's rules, probabilities and folk sayings, so that you will no longer be confused when you encounter Tianhu.

What is Mahjong Tianhu?

Tianhu, also known as Tianhe, refers to the situation where the dealer directly draws the cards without any touching, eating, touching or holding cards after starting to match the cards. Simply put, the dealer gets the initial 14 cards (or 13 cards plus the first draw card) and has formed a sum card type. Tianhu is one of the most difficult poker methods in mahjong, and its rarity is comparable to winning the lottery.

It should be noted that the definition of Tianhu is slightly different among different Mahjong rules. In most rules, Tianhu is limited to the dealer and must be tied before the first play. Some local rules allow players to play games, that is, players to tie cards before the dealer plays the first card, but this rule is relatively rare.

Differences in the rules of Tianhu: Is it okay to be Hu?

The question of "whether Hu is okay" is actually about asking whether Hu is allowed to draw cards and how to score after the draw. Due to the rarity of Tianhu, local rules deal with Tianhu differently, mainly divided into the following situations:

  • Allowing Tianhu, and counting as the highest species:In the national standard mahjong, Tianhu is listed as one of the highest varieties, with a total of 88. In local rules such as Sichuan Mahjong and Guangdong Mahjong, Tianhu is usually allowed and given extremely high multiples or multiples.
  • Tianhu is allowed, but the number is lower:Although the rules in some areas allow Tianhu, the number of times is not as high as the national standard mahjong. For example, in some places, Tianhu is counted as 10 times or a fixed multiple.
  • Tianhu is not allowed and needs to be reshuffled:In a few regional or private poker games, Tianhu was considered to be too disruptive to the balance of the game, and stipulated that Tianhu was invalid and needed to be reshuffled and dealt.
  • Tianhu regarded it as a "fraud":In a very few rules, Tianhu is regarded as a fraud and requires a loss. This rule is very rare and is usually used to prevent cheating.

Therefore, before starting the game, be sure to confirm local rules or agreements between poker players to avoid disputes due to Tianhu. If you are a dealer and you make up immediately, it is recommended to ask your poker players if they recognize Tianhu before deciding whether to show up.

How low is the probability of Tianhu?

The probability of Tianhu is extremely low, which is one of the reasons why it has attracted much attention. According to mathematical calculations, in a standard 136-card Mahjong, the probability that the dealer will directly draw 14 cards from the beginning is approximately1/330,000, that is, about one in 330,000. This probability is much lower than the second prize in the middle color ball (about 1/1,000,000) but higher than the third prize in the middle color ball (about 1/100,000). If you consider different card combinations, the probability of Tianhu will change, but the overall probability is between one in 100,000 and one in a million.

Such a low probability means that a card player may not encounter a Tianhu even if he plays mahjong all his life. Therefore, Tianhu is often regarded as a "miracle" that can cause a sensation at the poker table.

Folk accounts of good or bad luck about Tianhu

In traditional China culture, mahjong is not only entertainment, but is also often associated with fortune, feng shui, etc. There are many people saying about Tianhu:

  • Good omen:Most people think that Tianhu is an excellent omen, symbolizing that the card player is in good luck in the near future and may have unexpected surprises in career and financial fortune. Some places even believe that Tianhu Empress should treat guests to celebrate and share their good luck.
  • Bad omen:There are also a few claims that Tianhu "things will turn against each other", and too extreme luck may indicate bad luck in the future. Therefore, some card players will deliberately lose some games after Tianhu to "balance their luck."
  • No special meaning:With the popularization of modern concepts, more and more people believe that Tianhu is just a probability event and has nothing to do with good or bad luck, and there is no need to over-interpret it.

Either way, Tianhu is an unforgettable experience in Mahjong. If you meet Tianhu, consider it a rare luck and enjoy the surprise of that moment.

What should I do when encountering Tianhu?

If you are lucky enough to touch a beard at the table, the following suggestions may be helpful:

  1. Confirmation rules:Before showdown, first confirm whether Tianhu is allowed in the current game and how Tianhu is scored. If you are unsure, you can ask other poker players or refer to the rules agreed upon in advance.
  2. Stay calm:Although Tianhu is rare, excessive excitement can lead to mistakes, such as reading the wrong card type or forgetting to count. Check your card type carefully to make sure that it is indeed a sum.
  3. Respect card players:Tianhu can frustrate other poker players, especially when losing large bets. Maintaining humility and avoiding showing off will help maintain a good table atmosphere.
  4. Record:If conditions permit, you can take photos or record this Tianhu card shape as a precious memory.

Anyway,Mahjong is so crazy, okay?The answer depends on the regulatory environment you are in. No matter what the rules are, Tianhu is a unique landscape in Mahjong and deserves the understanding and respect of every poker player.

I hope that through the introduction of this article, you will have a more comprehensive understanding of Tianhu. The next time you encounter Tianhu at the table, you will be able to handle it calmly and enjoy the fun of mahjong.