CHINITSU GUIDE

What is Pure Flush (Chinitsu)?

Topics: Definition / Difference from Honitsu / Han values & Base scoring

1. Basic Definition of Pure Flush

Pure Flush (清一色, Chinitsu) is a high-ranking standard Yaku completed by composing all 14 tiles of your hand using only a single suit: Characters (Man), Circles (Pin), or Bamboo (Sou). No Honor tiles (Winds or Dragons) are allowed.

Completed Pure Flush Hand Example (Pin suit only):

1 Pin 1 Pin 1 Pin 3 Pin 3 Pin 3 Pin 5 Pin 5 Pin 5 Pin 7 Pin 8 Pin 9 Pin 9 Pin
9 Pin
πŸ’‘ Key Concept: To qualify for Chinitsu, all 14 tiles must belong exclusively to a single suit without any Honor tiles.

2. Structural Difference from Half Flush (Honitsu)

Unlike Half Flush (Honitsu), which allows a combination of one suit and Honor tiles (East, South, West, North, White, Green, Red), Chinitsu completely excludes Honors, significantly increasing hand-building difficulty.

Comparison: Half Flush (Honitsu) Example (Sou + Honors):

2 Sou 3 Sou 4 Sou 6 Sou 7 Sou 8 Sou East East East White White White Red
Red

3. Han Rules & Base Scoring (Kuuisagari Penalty)

Pure Flush is subject to the 'Kuuisagari' rule (1 Han reduction when melded), but its high base value ensures tremendous scoring firepower regardless.

  • Closed Hand (Menzen) β€” Base 6 Han (Haneman to Baiman)

    Winning closed grants 6 Han inherently, establishing a Haneman minimum score. Adding just 2 additional Han (such as Riichi, Tsumo, or Dora) immediately elevates it to Baiman.

  • Open Hand (Melded) β€” Base 5 Han (Mangan to Haneman)

    Even when calling Chi or Pon, the hand retains 5 Han (Mangan minimum). Adding Tanyao or a couple of Dora easily pushes the score into Haneman or Baiman territory.