Great Lakes Riichi Open 2024

Southeast Michigan Riichi is proud to announce the inaugural Great Lakes Riichi Open, an ARA-sanctioned tournament for the riichi community of the midwest (and beyond). Come join us for a fun weekend of mahjong, and vie for ARA Qualifier points at the last open before the cutoff!

Event Information

Dates: October 19-20, 2024

Venue Location: R U Game, 1345 E Michigan Ave, Saline, MI (near Ann Arbor). If you plan to fly in, please note that the location is approximately 25 miles from the DTW airport.

Hosts:

  • Head Judge: Steve Augustin
  • Tournament Organizer: Michael Lenard
  • Event Staff: Brian Tseng, Anja Meade, Zach Wilkinson, Vikram P., + more

Registration

Entry fee: $50 (via Venmo, with alternate options available upon request)

Attendance cap: 64 players

Instructions: Please use this Google Form to register! The Venmo tag for entry fee payment is included in the form. Waitlist information will be added here if the need arises.

Discord server: Join the event server for links to pairings and standings and to coordinate with fellow players!

Rules

Ruleset: The GLRO will use the 2022 WRC rules with the following optional modifications:

  • Red Fives (Mod 2.1)
  • 30/10 Uma (Mod 4.1)
  • Kazoe Yakuman (Mod 4.4)
  • Lower Penalties (Mod 6.3)

Time alotted per game: 75 min + 0

Food and Lodging

Food: Water, coffee, and snacks will be provided. This event will not be catered, but there are a number of lunch options nearby the venue.

Lodging: There are several affordable hotel options around the venue and in Ann Arbor. We recommend comparing rates before making a decision – noting that rideshare in this area isn’t too expensive.

Prizes

Cash prize: If we hit the 64 entrant cap, we plan to offer $500 in cash prizes, split 200/150/100/50 for 1st through 4th place. If we end up under the cap, this amount will be adjusted accordingly.

Awards: Trophies for 1st through 4th place, and conditionally (50+ players) medals for 5th through 8th place. Additional swag is planned.

Tournament Format and Schedule

Format: 7 hanchan scramble followed by a top 4 cut. Top 4 will play a two hanchan final bracket, while all other players continue with two additional games of scramble to determine final placements of 5th and lower.

Schedule

Day 1 (Oct 19) Day 2 (Oct 20)
8:30 am - Check in opens 8:30 am - Check in opens
9:15 am - Announcements 9:15 am - Announcements
9:30 am - Hanchan 1 9:30 am - Hanchan 6
11:00 am - Hanchan 2 11:00 am - Hanchan 7
12:30 pm - Lunch 12:30 pm - Lunch
2:00 pm - Hanchan 3 2:00 pm - Finals 1 / Hanchan 8
3:30 pm - Hanchan 4 3:30 pm - Finals 2 / Hanchan 9
5:00 pm - Hanchan 5 5:00 pm - Awards
Until 10pm - Free play Until 10pm - Free play

Participant List

No. Name Club Affiliation Confirmed
1 Takahiro Sakurai Chicago Area Mahjong X
2 Oliver Krekeler Queen City Riichi X
3 Bret Chicago Area Mahjong X
4 Max Riichi Nomi NYC X
5 Dylan B. SEMI Riichi X
6 Andrew S. SEMI Riichi X
7 Ryan C. SEMI Riichi X
8 Kathy Horton Riichi Mahjong Columbus X
9 Nathan B. Riichi Rapids Mahjong X
10 Buddy SEMI Riichi X
11 Pio Y. Riichi Nomi NYC X
12 Takahiro S. Riichi Mahjong Columbus X
13 Taliesin C. SEMI Riichi X
14 Quincy H. Riichi Nomi NYC X
15 Bob Chow Riichi Nomi NYC X
16 Rizeng Z. Seattle Riichi Mahjong Club X
17 A. J.   X
18 Neffnee   X
19 Vince Z.   X
20 Nathanael K. Dekamore Riichi Mahjong X
21 Kaila G.    
22 Melissa F. Riichi Nomi NYC X
23 Aaron   X
24 Bichen W. Pacific Mahjong League X
25 Aaron E. SEMI Riichi X
26 Dustin F. DC Riichi Mahjong X
27 Cody L. Riichi Nomi NYC  
28 Calvin C. Riichi Nomi NYC X
29 Mark T. Toronto Riichi Club X
30 Kyuu Chicago Area Mahjong  
31 John B. Riichi Mahjong Columbus X
32 Edward Z. Philadelphia Riichi Mahjong X
33 Syoro Philadelphia Riichi Mahjong X
34 Charlie SEMI Riichi X
35 Li-Hsin Riichi Mahjong UW X
36 Ding Toronto Riichi Club X
37 Jim Y. Toronto Riichi Club X
38 Rob C. Toronto Riichi Club X
39 Steph   X
40 Gina   X
41 Kaden C. Pacific Mahjong League X
42 Peter G. Queen City Riichi X
43 Terra L.   X
44 Derek H. SEMI Riichi X
45 Muyi Z.    
46 Calvin C.   X
47 Jessa A. Riichi Rapids Mahjong  
48 Ryan D. Riichi Rapids Mahjong  
49 Chaosupei G. Chicago Area Mahjong X
50 Jerry Riichi Mahjong Club Wisconsin  
51 Laura K. Lonestar X
52 Eric H. C-ORPS X
53 Zach Queen City Riichi X
54 Ean T. Riichi Mahjong Columbus X
55 Ash C. Chicago Area Mahjong X
56 May C. SEMI Riichi X
57 Mercury Liu   X
58 Hong L. CMU Japanese Mahjong Club X
59 Erik K. Riichi Nomi NYC X
60 Edward X.   X