Hand-Building and Situation (3)
Now let us think about hand-building that matches the score situation.
When you are behind, the basic idea is to emphasize point value.
When you are ahead, the basic idea is to emphasize speed.
Chase Point Value
Even when you say you want to chase point value,
that does not mean you should force hand-yaku all the time.
If you do that, the gap between you and the players above you will only grow wider.
- Menzen riichi
- Using dora well
- Honitsu
These three are the real keys to building high-value hands.
Example 1
Riichi is the shortest road to high point value.
In Example 1, you still have a reasonable stack, but you are currently fighting Shimocha for first place.
If you call the 
that Kamicha just discarded,
the win will probably become very solid,
but it does absolutely nothing to close the gap with first place.
This is the kind of hand and situation where you should insist on menzen riichi.
When your rival for first is still dealer,
carelessly using an open tanyao hand just to push the round along only shows that you do not understand the situation.
Theory
The basic idea is to build a hand with value and aim for a dealer-hit tsumo.
Example 2
If you are going to make points through calling,
then forcing your way into using the dora is one possible approach.
In a situation like Example 2, where you are in last place and need points,
calling this 
and pushing the hand toward Chanta
is actually a pretty interesting option.
The goal is to use the floating dora in your hand
to make either a mangan like "Chanta Sanshoku North Dora 1" or "Chanta North Dora 2."
It is a distant calling route,
but compared with staying closed all the way,
the chance of actually winning a mangan may well be higher.
Example 3
Tsumo 
Dora
I think a lot of players lose their sense of balance when they fall into last place.
But even if you need points, the correct play in Example 3 is still to cut 
.
If you do not want to win with a cheap hand, then the answer is simple: do not call.
If you stay menzen and riichi, then even after cutting the dora you still have 5200 on ron,
and mangan is guaranteed on tsumo.
I do not recommend cutting 
to lock in the dora pair.
Chase Speed
Example 4
Tsumo 
Dora
Normally, the standard play is to cut 
and take a Pinfu one-shanten.
But if you are in first in South 3 and absolutely want to move the game forward,
then breaking the dora pair becomes a very clever play.
Of course, once you cut the dora,
you must take chi-ten on any discard of:
Example 5
The biggest danger point when you are in first place is the dealer turn of second place.
You absolutely must not allow a dealership repeat there.
Even hands that you would normally keep closed and aim to riichi with
should instead be opened aggressively to cut off the dealer.
So this should be pon'd, taking tenpai immediately.
As for the wait selection,
the 
wait that looks easier to discard is probably better.
Original Japanese page: http://beginners.biz/joukyou/joukyou05.html