To become a better mahjong player, you need to control your mental game.

To become a strong mahjong player, mental training is absolutely essential.
This time, I'd like to write about ways of thinking and tips on how to refresh your mental state.

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Regarding unreasonable bank transfers, etc.

This is something that inevitably happens when playing mahjong.
Even if you're the dealer and you declare a preemptive three-sided wait riichi on the third turn, in mahjong, you can still end up dealing into a terrible chasing riichi with a shabo wait.

I understand how you must feel, like your insides are boiling with rage.
However, if the same situation occurs 100 times, and each time it's the right decision to go for the win, then you have no choice but to believe that it is the correct answer.

If you don't get caught up in short-term results and make the right decisions, your performance will naturally improve.
Even if you make the first move and happen to lose two or three times in a row, the correct decision is still the correct one.
Let's continue with a disciplined approach.

If you change your technique just because you've had bad results recently, you'll only end up with even worse results.
Let's be careful to avoid that at all costs.

When you draw the last card

When playing mahjong, it's possible to come in last place, even against opponents who are significantly weaker than you.
There's nothing we can do about it.
Looking at it from a long-term perspective, you're bound to come in last place dozens of times out of 100, so you just have to accept that this is one of those times.

When I get last place, I feel really frustrated, so I always get up from my seat and go to the restroom or something to reset my mind.
I wish I could feel absolutely no emotions, but since I can't control them that way, I force myself to refresh myself through actions.
However, if you come in last place, at least reflect on whether you made any poor decisions.

Instead of reflecting on the outcome, let's focus on whether our judgment was correct or not.

When you get last place in a row

It's certainly frustrating to finish in fourth place multiple times in a row, isn't it?
However, just like before, to refresh your mind, go to the restroom or have a drink to reset.

Also, if you remember drawing fourth place recently, try to recall that time.
When you remember it, I think the regret and anger you felt at that time will have disappeared by now.
Let's approach the next match with the understanding that the feeling of being in last place will inevitably fade away after a similar amount of time has passed.
For today's first match, it's important to control your mental state as if it's just beginning.

When you're in a really bad slump

Sometimes you get last place in a row, and sometimes it's three or even four times in a row.
Furthermore, it's not uncommon for a team to go dozens of matches without ever securing the top spot.
However, as I've written repeatedly, if you're making the right decisions, there's no need to be pessimistic even if the results aren't what you hoped for.
However, if this continues for 100 to 300 games, there may be room for improvement.
In that case, refer to the data and check whether you are making any mistakes. If you are playing real mahjong, it is a good idea to keep the score sheet and record it yourself in Excel or a similar program for peace of mind.

Even if you lose a few games, if your overall score is still positive,
The technique isn't entirely wrong.
That way, you should be able to accept losing a few matches in the near future.

When things are going well

Contrary to what I've written so far, caution is also necessary when things are going well.
Even if you're doing something risky and it happens to work out positively, you might end up ingraining that wrong judgment into your habits.
When things are going well, be sure to rigorously check whether your decisions were truly correct.
In particular, if I'm winning quite a bit on a given day, I tend to get overconfident and push forward recklessly, even in situations where I would normally back out.
This can be described as a state of being completely overconfident and unable to make sound judgments.
In such situations, recognize that you are currently in a state of excitement and try to calmly control it.
That concludes my discussion on the mental aspects of mahjong.

The common thread is, "If you lose your temper, you've already lost."
Always strive to remain calm and make clever decisions.

First of all, the decision to "stop for today" is also important.

Up to this point, I've written about how to switch gears during and immediately after a game, but the decision to "stop playing for today" is also important for protecting your mental state.
If you're clearly not feeling well and are repeating the same mistakes, it's a good idea to stop early and call it a day instead of forcing yourself to continue.
In particular, after getting last place multiple times in a row, if you continue playing while still feeling heated, you tend to make more aggressive decisions than usual in an attempt to make up for lost points, so be careful.
This is a typical example of someone who has "lost their temper," and it's evidence that they are no longer able to calmly decide when to push or pull back.
Mahjong is a game that typically involves playing many games over long periods, so fatigue and heightened emotions can impair one's judgment.
Instead of setting goals like "I absolutely must make a profit by the end of today," getting into the habit of stopping at a natural stopping point will prevent mental exhaustion.