I looked up a Japanese Mahjong app to start experiencing and choosing an ideal discard. I used an English app,
Mahjong Demon Lite, instead of the Chinese/Japanese ones commonly used in my country, Singapore. I found this worked very well for me as a new player getting a feel of the game, but it might not for everyone, so I'll detail its pros and cons.
Pros
- There was no time limit as it was against Computer AI, so you can think for a long time on which is the best discard that maximizes tile efficiency.
- The absence of a time limit also helps you decide whether to open your hand with Chi/Pon/Kan, or keep it closed. This is important in deciding the direction of your hand.
- There are helpful star-indicators for which tile is the dora, your round and seat wind, and the yakuhai. This feature can be toggled on and off.
- The discards were not sorted properly in 6-tile rows, which gets confusing when you switch to real-life playing.
- The app shows you every possible discard when you are in Tenpai and about to declare Riichi. This helps new players learn the many different directions a hand can go to depending on the discard (e.g. whether to choose a more efficient multiple wait, or a different single/shanpon etc wait based on discards or what you anticipate your opponents' hands to be)
Cons
- Computer AIs are not a realistic depiction of players who go against conventional plays of maximizing tile efficiency. When you gain experience, I would recommend playing against real players on Tenhou.
- As with most apps, there will be an option for you to Chi/Pon/Kan/Ron etc. This makes it hard to adapt to real life playing where there isn't that indicator.
- Showing you every possible discard at Tenpai is a learning handicap. Recognizing these possibilities in real-life is important.
It was a fairly unsystematic style of learning. I gradually supplemented it with more knowledge of the game.
First, knowing your yaku. See ofb or wikipedia. I skipped yakuman hands but went back to it later.
- Supplementary readings: arc.su yaku compatibility
Second, understanding fu count to maximize small yaku hands, or choosing to deconstruct a large yaku hand when defending against opponents and still maximizing score.
Third, understanding wait patterns, both simple and complex.
- Having a good multiple-wait is helpful during Riichi, but even a simple wait
Fourth, maximizing tile efficiency, while remaining discrete.
Fifth, when to Riichi or not to Riichi. (beginners generally Riichi immediately on Tenpai)
- Do you want to build your hand further? Is it more important to win early?
- Is it dangerous to Riichi? Will you just be feeding your Riichi stick to your opponent?
Sixth, playing with a tenacity to gamble. Know when to switch between Offense and Defense.
Seventh, manipulating your opponents through discard patterns.
And finally, reading your opponents, through discards and reactions, but never over-read.