Shapes and acceptance
A two-sided run shape like 4-5 accepts 3 or 6 — up to eight tiles. An edge shape like 1-2 accepts only 3 — up to four tiles. A closed shape like 4-6 accepts only 5. Keeping shapes that accept more tiles makes you ready sooner.
What to throw first
Isolated honour tiles and terminals usually go first, because they fit fewer combinations. Exceptions: valuable honours (dragons, your winds) that may form scoring pungs, and safe tiles kept for defense.
Counting
Strong players count how many tiles improve their hand after each candidate discard and choose the discard with the highest count — adjusted for tiles already visible.
Beyond efficiency
Efficiency is not everything: value and safety matter too. But beginners who master efficiency improve faster than with any other single skill.
