Chowda Bowl 2025

A practice tournament for all skill levels.

November 15, 2025, 9 AM-9PM

The Foundry, 1st Floor
101 Rogers Street, Cambridge, MA

Entry Fee: $30

“What if I’ve never done a tournament before?”

Welcome! This event is for you! Our main objective with this event is to welcome new players into the competitive community and give them a chance to try out tournament play in a relaxed, friendly environment.

As long as you can read and deal tiles, identify yaku, count han and fu, use the standard scoring chart, and follow the basic rules of play, you are welcome at the Chowda Bowl.

Our judges will be using the minimum penalties for mistakes, and will be available to answer questions and clarify rules whenever you need them.

If you are on the fence, please do take the chance and try something new with us!

Registration: Opens on September 1st @ 12 PM EST

Communication: Mass Riichi Discord

Standings and Table Assignments

Prizes:

The Top 8 players will receive paper certificates recognizing their exemplary performance. The Top 4 will receive one suit of handcrafted and painted chocolate mahjong tiles, with the 1st Place player also receiving a very “special” Chowda Bowl 2025 trophy.

The player who ends the tournament with the lowest score will receive a “Doing My Best” star-shaped consolation trophy. Players found to be losing on purpose to acquire this highly desirable prize will be disqualified from all prize pools.

Rules:

Chowda Bowl 2025 will use the World Riichi Championship 2025 Ruleset with the following optional modifications: 2.1 Red Fives, 3.2 Nagashi Mangan, 4.1 Modified Uma (+30, +10), 4.4 Counted Yakuman, 6.3 Lower Penalties

Timer will be 75 min + 1 hand. 30, 10 Uma. No Oka.

Per WRC rules, the game will not end if a player goes below zero points. They will be given Busting Sticks and play will continue with that player being allowed to call riichi.

We invite you to read our complete rules and penalties here.

This tournament is intended to provide a gentle and welcoming first experience for those unfamiliar with tournament play. Our judges will be issuing the minimum possible penalties for minor offenses, and all rules and tournament procedures will be explained during our Opening Ceremony.

We ask that experienced players assist us in our mission to welcome new competitors to the scene. Be kind, be patient, explain things when asked, and call a judge if you feel you are not equipped to resolve the situation.

By entering, you consent to follow Mass Riichi’s Player Code of Conduct. Please familiarize yourself with these rules and expectations before attending.

We welcome any questions in our email, massriichi@gmail.com, or in the tournament chat on our Discord.

Tournament Format:

This tournament will be a 4 hanchan scramble with a pure cumulative format with no cut. Prizes and rankings will be determined by your total score at the end of all 4 games.

Seat assignments will be made randomly based on 2 dice rolls. The first roll determines a temporary East Player, who will roll the dice to determine True East. True East will then roll the dice to determine the first wall break and begin the hanchan.

Food:

Lunch will not be provided. Due to the limited time in our schedule, players will only be allowed a 60 minutes lunch break. There are limited food options within walking distance, so please check the area map and make your lunch plans prior to attending.

Due to the short break and limited options, we highly encourage those with eating restrictions to consider bringing a bag lunch or making delivery arrangements ahead of time.

When bringing outside food, please be considerate of other attendees and choose options which are not overly fragrant or messy.

Healthy snacks, water, tea, and coffee will be provided.

Transportation:

Do not park on the street! Street parking is 2 hour maximum and is actively patrolled. There is a parking garage on 1st & Spring near Cambridgeside.

Public transit accesses from the Red Line Kendall Square T Station or the Green Line Lechmere Station with a 10-12 minute walk either way.

A good option if you are worried about parking is to drive to an outlying station near you such as Wonderland, Alewife, Braintree, or Forest Hills and use the MBTA Park & Ride Garage at that location, which usually costs $2/day. From there you can ride the T for $2.40 per trip and avoid having to drive through midtown.

Hanchan Schedule:

Check In: 9:30 am – 9:45 am
Opening Ceremony and Rules Talk: 9:45 am – 10:00 am
Hanchan 1: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Break: 11:30 am – 11:40 am
Hanchan 2: 11:40 am – 1:10 pm
Lunch Break: 1:10 pm – 2:10 pm
Hanchan 3: 2:10 pm – 3:40 pm
Break: 3:40 pm – 3:50 pm
Hanchan 4: 3:50 pm – 5:20 pm
Break: 5:20 pm – 5:30 pm
Awards Ceremony and Group Photo: 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm
After Party (Free Play): 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Clean Up and Load Out: 8:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Quick Registration: (Opens Sep. 1, 2025)

Refunds and Cancellations:

By submitting payment we assume you will participate in the tournament. Refunds for withdrawals will only be honored in the case of emergencies (e.g. serious illness, family emergency). If you are unclear as to what constitutes a valid emergency, please reach out.