# How Koi-Koi scoring works

Canonical URL: https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/scoring/

Last updated 26 September 2026

A Koi-Koi round is scored for the player who ends it with Shōbu: add up their yaku, double a total of 8 or more (a room setting, on by default), then multiply by 1 plus every Koi-Koi call made that round. The loser pays the result, but never more than they have left of their 25 points. Nintendo’s rules double from 7 instead, and double once more only if the loser had called Koi-Koi.

## The formula in four steps

Here is one round, counted step by step: you make Tsukimi de ippai (5 points), call Koi-Koi (also written koikoi), later take the Curtain for Hanami de ippai as well, and stop with Shōbu (plain spelling: Shobu). Each step shows this game’s rule and Nintendo’s.

1. Add up the yaku

   5 + 5 = 10

   Every yaku the winner holds, added together. The loser’s yaku count for nothing.

   Nintendo: the same, except that Tane is void beside Inoshikachō, and Tan beside Akatan or Aotan.
2. Double at 8 or more

   10 × 2 = 20

   A room setting, on by default. With it off, no total doubles for its size.

   Nintendo: doubles every total of 7 or more.
3. Multiply by the calls

   20 × (1 + 1) = 40

   One plus every Koi-Koi call made this round, by either player, for whoever wins.

   Nintendo: ×2 only when the loser had called Koi-Koi; your own call adds nothing.
4. The loser pays

   min(40, 25) = 25

   At most what the loser has left of their points. At 0 the match is over.

   Nintendo: no cap: each player’s scores add up over 12 rounds.

In a game you do not have to count: when you form a yaku, the Koi-Koi or Shōbu window shows what Shōbu would pay now, line by line (the yaku points, each multiplier with its reason, the cap, and the payment), and the end of the round shows the same count.

### Step 1 in detail: which yaku count

Add every [yaku](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/glossary/#yaku) in the winner’s captures, each with its extra cards: Inoshikachō with two more animals is 7, not 5. Only one light yaku counts at a time, and Chōfuku takes the place of Akatan and Aotan; everything else adds up, and one card may count for several yaku. The [yaku page](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/yaku/#combining) lists every value and combination.

> **Rules differ**
>
> This is where Nintendo’s table differs before any multiplying: it voids Tane once Inoshikachō is made and Tan once Akatan or Aotan is made, and it counts the Sake cup as a plain as well as an animal. So the same captures can give a different base, as examples 3 and 9 below show.

## Step 2: doubling at 8 points

In this game a base of **8 points or more is doubled** (see [doubling](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/glossary/#doubling)). It is a setting of each room, “Double at 8+ points”, and of the practice game against the computer; it is on unless whoever sets up the game turns it off. With it off, a round is multiplied only by its Koi-Koi calls. The table below shows a round with no Koi-Koi calls.

A round’s score by its base with no Koi-Koi calls: this game with the setting on and off, and Nintendo (7 or more)

| Base | Setting on | Setting off | Nintendo |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
| 8 | 16 | 8 | 16 |
| 10 | 20 | 10 | 20 |

> **Rules differ**
>
> Nintendo’s page doubles a total of 7 points or more, and so do Japanese Wikipedia’s summary of the common rules and Fuda Wiki’s guide. The only base where the two lines disagree is exactly 7, for example Ame Shikō on its own: 7 here, 14 at Nintendo. The [house rules page](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/house-rules/#doubling) compares the options.

## Step 3: the Koi-Koi multiplier

Every Koi-Koi call in the round raises one shared multiplier by one, whoever makes it: ×2 after the first call, ×3 after the second, and so on. It applies to whoever wins the round, so your own calls raise your own reward as well as your opponent’s. It starts again at ×1 every round. Calls are not limited: you may call again each time your total rises, and so may your opponent.

The Koi-Koi factor by the calls made this round

| Calls this round | This game | Nintendo |
| --- | ---: | ---: |
| None | ×1 | ×1 |
| The winner called once | ×2 | ×1 |
| The loser called once | ×2 | ×2 |
| Each player called once | ×3 | cannot happen |
| Three calls in all | ×4 | cannot happen |

> **Rules differ**
>
> Nintendo’s rule: after a Koi-Koi, the round ends as soon as either player makes a yaku, and if that is the opponent, the caller scores 0 and the opponent’s total is doubled, which some Japanese sites call [baigaeshi or koi-kaburi](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/glossary/#koi-gaeshi). Nintendo’s page does not say how this combines with the doubling at 7; Japanese Wikipedia’s summary of the common rules applies both, ×4 in all. Fuda Wiki lists “calls + 1” as a known variant, which is close to this game’s rule.

What this means for play, when to call and when to stop, is on the [strategy page](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/strategy/).

## Step 4: who pays, and how much

Both players start the match with 25 points. The round’s loser pays its score to the winner, capped at what they have left: 40 points against a loser with 25 is a payment of 25. A player with no points left loses at once; otherwise the match ends after its last round (6 or 12, chosen when the game is set up), the player with more points wins, and equal points make a drawn match. Some Japanese rule pages count in [mon](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/glossary/#mon) (文), the traditional unit; this game says points.

> **Rules differ**
>
> Nintendo plays 12 rounds and adds up each player’s scores, with no pool and no cap. This game’s 25-point pool is its own rule; see [the pool](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/house-rules/#pool).

## This game and Nintendo side by side

Every scoring rule of this game next to Nintendo’s published rules

| Rule | This game | Nintendo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Yaku points | The same as Nintendo’s | Its published table |
| Tane beside Inoshikachō, Tan beside Akatan or Aotan | Both count | Tane or Tan is void |
| The Sake cup | An animal only | An animal and a plain |
| Doubling | ×2 at 8 or more; a setting, on by default | ×2 at 7 or more |
| Koi-Koi | ×(1 + every call by both players); any number of calls | ×2 if the loser had called; the next yaku ends the round |
| Payment | From a 25-point pool, capped; 0 ends the match | Scores add up over 12 rounds |
| Nobody calls Shōbu | Drawn round: no score, the same dealer | No game; the dealer changes |

All of the differences, including the ones outside scoring, are collected on the [house rules page](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/house-rules/#nintendo).

## Ten worked examples

Each example was checked against the game’s own scoring code. The loser has 25 points unless the example says otherwise, and the doubling setting is on.

### 1. One yaku, no Koi-Koi

![Boar – Lespedeza, July, Animal (10 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/hagi_boar.svg) ![Deer – Maple, October, Animal (10 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/momiji_deer.svg) ![Butterflies – Peony, June, Animal (10 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/botan_butterfly.svg)

You capture the Boar, the Deer and the Butterflies and call Shōbu.

Inoshikachō 5. Below 8, so no doubling: **5 points**.

Nintendo: 5 as well.

### 2. Two yaku add up

![Crane – Pine, January, Light (20 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/matsu_crane.svg) ![Curtain – Cherry, March, Light (20 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/sakura_curtain.svg) ![Phoenix – Paulownia, December, Light (20 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/kiri_phoenix.svg) ![Sake cup – Chrysanthemum, September, Animal (10 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/kiku_sake_cup.svg)

The Crane, the Curtain and the Phoenix make Sankō; the Curtain and the Sake cup make Hanami.

Sankō 5 + Hanami 5 = 10. 8 or more, so 10 × 2 = **20 points**.

Nintendo: 10 is 7 or more, so also 20.

### 3. Extra cards, and Tan beside Akatan

![Red poem tanzaku – Pine, January, Tanzaku (5 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/matsu_ribbon.svg) ![Red poem tanzaku – Plum, February, Tanzaku (5 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/ume_ribbon.svg) ![Red poem tanzaku – Cherry, March, Tanzaku (5 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/sakura_ribbon.svg) ![Red tanzaku – Wisteria, April, Tanzaku (5 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/fuji_ribbon.svg) ![Red tanzaku – Lespedeza, July, Tanzaku (5 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/hagi_ribbon.svg)

The three poem tanzaku, plus the Wisteria and Bush Clover tanzaku.

Akatan 5 + 2 extra = 7, and five tanzaku make Tan 1: 7 + 1 = 8. Doubled: **16 points**.

Nintendo: Tan is void beside Akatan, so the base is 7; 7 × 2 = 14.

### 4. Just under the line

![Crane – Pine, January, Light (20 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/matsu_crane.svg) ![Curtain – Cherry, March, Light (20 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/sakura_curtain.svg) ![Moon – Pampas, August, Light (20 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/susuki_moon.svg) ![Rain – Willow, November, Light (20 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/yanagi_rainman.svg)

Four lights with the Rain: Ame Shikō.

Ame Shikō 7. Below 8: **7 points**.

Nintendo: 7 or more doubles: 14.

### 5. A Koi-Koi that pays off

![Moon – Pampas, August, Light (20 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/susuki_moon.svg) ![Sake cup – Chrysanthemum, September, Animal (10 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/kiku_sake_cup.svg) ![Curtain – Cherry, March, Light (20 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/sakura_curtain.svg)

You make Tsukimi (5) and call Koi-Koi. Two turns later you take the Curtain: Hanami as well, and you call Shōbu.

Tsukimi 5 + Hanami 5 = 10; × 2 for 8 or more; × 2 for one call: 10 × 2 × 2 = 40. The loser has 25, so they pay **25**, and with nothing left the match is over.

Nintendo: your own call does not multiply: 10 × 2 = 20.

### 6. A Koi-Koi that backfires

You called Koi-Koi once. Before you improve, your opponent completes Kasu with ten plains and calls Shōbu. Your yaku score nothing.

Kasu 1 × 2 for one call = **2 points** to your opponent.

Nintendo: the same, 1 × 2 = 2.

### 7. Both players called

![Blue tanzaku – Peony, June, Tanzaku (5 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/botan_ribbon.svg) ![Blue tanzaku – Chrysanthemum, September, Tanzaku (5 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/kiku_ribbon.svg) ![Blue tanzaku – Maple, October, Tanzaku (5 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/momiji_ribbon.svg) ![Red tanzaku – Willow, November, Tanzaku (5 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/yanagi_ribbon.svg)

Each of you called Koi-Koi once. The winner holds the three blue tanzaku and the Willow tanzaku.

Aotan 5 + 1 = 6. Below 8, no doubling; × (1 + 2) = **18 points**.

Nintendo: cannot happen: the first yaku after a Koi-Koi ends the round.

### 8. The doubling setting

![Crane – Pine, January, Light (20 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/matsu_crane.svg) ![Curtain – Cherry, March, Light (20 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/sakura_curtain.svg) ![Moon – Pampas, August, Light (20 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/susuki_moon.svg) ![Phoenix – Paulownia, December, Light (20 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/kiri_phoenix.svg)

After one Koi-Koi call you complete Shikō. The loser has 40 points.

Setting on: 8 × 2 × 2 = **32 points**. Setting off: 8 × 2 = **16 points**.

Nintendo: 16 if the call was yours; 32 if the loser had called, with both doublings applied as Japanese Wikipedia counts them.

### 9. Capped by what is left

![Red poem tanzaku – Pine, January, Tanzaku (5 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/matsu_ribbon.svg) ![Red poem tanzaku – Plum, February, Tanzaku (5 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/ume_ribbon.svg) ![Red poem tanzaku – Cherry, March, Tanzaku (5 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/sakura_ribbon.svg) ![Blue tanzaku – Peony, June, Tanzaku (5 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/botan_ribbon.svg) ![Blue tanzaku – Chrysanthemum, September, Tanzaku (5 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/kiku_ribbon.svg) ![Blue tanzaku – Maple, October, Tanzaku (5 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/momiji_ribbon.svg) ![Red tanzaku – Wisteria, April, Tanzaku (5 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/fuji_ribbon.svg)

All six poem and blue tanzaku, plus the Wisteria tanzaku.

Chōfuku 10 + 1 = 11, and seven tanzaku make Tan 1 + 2 = 3: 11 + 3 = 14, doubled to 28. A loser with 25 pays **25**; a loser with 30 would pay 28.

Nintendo: Tan is void, so 11 × 2 = 22.

### 10. A dealt Teshi

![Curtain – Cherry, March, Light (20 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/sakura_curtain.svg) ![Red poem tanzaku – Cherry, March, Tanzaku (5 pts)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/sakura_ribbon.svg) ![Cherry plain – March, Plain (1 pt)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/sakura_plain_1.svg) ![Cherry plain – March, Plain (1 pt)](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/cards/sakura_plain_2.svg)

Your starting hand holds all four Cherry cards. The round ends before anyone plays.

Teshi 6, no calls and below 8: **6 points**.

Nintendo: 6 as well.

## Points calculator

Choose the winner’s yaku, the cards they captured of each kind and the Koi-Koi calls, and the calculator shows the count. It starts on this game’s rules; “Nintendo’s rules” switches the doubling, the multiplier and the counting of Tane, Tan and the Sake cup to Nintendo’s, and removes the 25-point cap. With this game’s rules it gives the same result as the game.

The calculator needs JavaScript. The worked examples above show the same arithmetic, step by step.

The dealt hands, Teshi and Kuttsuki, are left out: they always score 6 on their own, with nothing to multiply.

## Rounds that score differently

- **Nobody calls Shōbu.** When both hands run out, the round is drawn and nobody pays, even if someone holds yaku or has called Koi-Koi without improving since. The same player deals again.
- **A dealt hand yaku** (Teshi or Kuttsuki) ends the round at once for 6 points, as in example 10. The player who had it deals next.
- **The last turn.** When both hands are empty, a new yaku can only be scored with Shōbu: Koi-Koi is not offered.
- **After a Koi-Koi,** you can stop again only when your total rises, from a new yaku or one more card for a +1 yaku. If it never rises and your opponent never scores, the round is drawn.

> **Rules differ**
>
> For a round where nobody scores, Nintendo calls it a no game and passes the deal to the other player. Some tables instead give the dealer points, a rule called [oyaken](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/glossary/#oyaken); this game does not.

The [rules page](https://hanafuda.lemme.dev/rules/#koi-koi-or-shobu) covers the whole turn, from the deal to the Koi-Koi decision.

## Sources

1. [こいこい｜花札の歴史・遊びかた](https://www.nintendo.com/jp/others/hanafuda_kabufuda/howtoplay/koikoi/index.html). Nintendo: Doubling at 7 or more, ×2 after the opponent’s Koi-Koi, the round ending at the next yaku, 12 rounds with added scores, the no-game rule.
2. [こいこい](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%81%93%E3%81%84%E3%81%93%E3%81%84). Wikipedia (Japanese): Both doublings applied together (×4), the mon unit, draws and oyaken.
3. [Koi-Koi](https://fudawiki.org/en/hanafuda/games/koi-koi). Fuda Wiki: Doubling at 7 or more, the “calls + 1” multiplier variant, drawn rounds.
4. [花札「こいこい」のルール](https://gamepedia.jp/archives/97404). 攻略大百科: The name baigaeshi.
5. [花札こいこいの点数計算｜役の合計→7文倍付→こい被りまで（例つき）](https://sazano123.com/%E8%8A%B1%E6%9C%AD%E9%96%A2%E4%BF%82/80580.html). サザノノ: The names 7-mon doubling (7文倍付) and koi-kaburi.