The Rules of Chinese Poker
Some historians argue that poker was originally born in China, and only a few centuries later he emigrated to Europe. The great emperors of China liked to play this card game, not even suspecting how popular it would become hundreds of years later.
Today, more and more people are interested in the rules of Chinese poker, as the familiar Texas Hold’em and Omaha are already a bit bored. However, learning that the game is conducted using 13 cards, many refuse to play the oldest card game.
The Rules of the Chinese Poker
From two to four people can take part in the game. The goal is to collect the best 3 combinations, consisting of 13 cards.
At the very beginning, each player is dealt 13 cards, from which it is necessary to collect 3 sets – one of 3 cards and 2 of 5. In this case, sets of five cards are called “back” and “medium” combination, and from 3 cards – “front” combination. The rules of Chinese poker say that the “back” combination should be the highest, and the lowest one is ” front “. The “medium” combination should be lower than the “back” and more than “front”.
Immediately after all the players in the game have the cards, the compiled combinations are laid out on the table down. According to the rules of open Chinese poker, the first combination should be given to the player with a back combination, and then – the middle and the front. After that, players open their cards, and the scores are calculated.
The next step is a showdown to compare all the combinations. At this stage, you need to show the highest combination in at least two rows. One of the prerequisites is to follow the range of cards (from top to bottom from the lowest to highest combination).
Fantasy in Chinese poker
In open-face Chinese poker, a player can receive a bonus game called Fantasy. The player must collect a combination of a pair of queen or higher on the upper box to be able to make a fantasy.
If this succeeds, then the player will receive all 13 cards (14-15 in varieties) in the next deal at the same time. He will be able to put them out face down. A player who makes fantasy will not show his cards down until other players finish putting out their combinations. The player may remain in fantasy for the next deal if he manages to collect one of the following:
- set (thrips) in the top row;
- full house better in the middle row;
- four of a kind better in the bottom row.
Chinese Poker: Scoring
Players compare their combinations with the appropriate combinations of rivals. That is, the middle combination is compared with the middle, the back with the back, and the front with the front. The strength of combinations is ranged according to the classical scheme of combinations in poker, to which we are all accustomed.
Chinese poker does not encourage the concept of “the winner takes everything.” The score plays the main role. That is, if the middle combination you composed beat the middle combination of the opponent, you get the points.
If at the table, there is such a situation that several players have the same combinations in one set of cards, then, according to the rules of Chinese poker, no one gets scores. In this case, a draw is declared.
For the victory with all 3 available combinations, the player gets 6 points.
For the victory of 2 of the 3 combinations, the player is granted 2 points. Also in Chinese poker, scoring provides bonuses for special combinations.
- The back combination: straight – 2 points, flush – 4 points, full house – 6 points, four of a kind – 8 points, straight flush – 10 points, royal flush – 15 points.
- The middle combination: straight – 4 points, flush – 8 points, full house – 12 points, four of a kind – 16 points, straight flush – 20 points and royal flush – 30 points.
- The front combination: 6/6 – 1 point, 7/7 – 2 points, 8/8 – 3 points, 9/9 – 4 points, 10/10 – 5 points, J/J – 6 points, Q/Q – 7 points, K/K – 8 points, A/A – 9 points. Set 2-2-2 – 10 points, set 3-3-3 – 11 points, etc.
The rules of Chinese poker at first glance look very difficult and even a little scary. However, immersed in the process, you will easily master and understand the principle of this exciting game, which can be played both for the game’s sake and for real money on the Internet.