Chinese Poker

General Description of Chinese Poker

It is a pretty rare game that is sometimes called 13-card poker. It mainly resembles pai gow poker, which enjoys much greater popularity in land-based and virtual casinos.

From two to four gamers can participate in it. A 52-card standard deck without jokers is used in Chinese poker. There is no need for a particular table.

Even though Chinese poker is considered a family game, it has been included in the program of significant poker tournaments recently.

It is necessary to collect three highest-ranking hands from the 13 dealt cards: two five-card and one three-card hands.

Five-card hands are called: "the back" and "the middle". The three-card hand is referred to as "the front." The back should be the highest-ranking, and the front is the lowest-ranking hand. The rank of the middle hand should be inferior to the back and superior to the front.

For example, the following is possible: a full house is the back hand, a flash is the middle hand, and a pair is a front hand.

All combinations are standard for poker: from a high card to a royal flush.

Chinese Poker Gameplay

The cards are dealt to the players. They form hands and place them on the table face down. The back should be located near the player, the middle one, and finally, the front.

There is no pot in Chinese poker.

The points are credited in this game. Players compare their hands with the hands of opponents. The comparison occurs only within certain types of hands, i.e., the back, front, and middle hands are separately compared with each other. Flushes and straights in the front are not compared. The player who is sitting to the left of the dealer starts revealing his cards. The other players reveal cards clockwise.

Points are credited for each hand of your opponents, which you have beaten by your hand. However, if one of them beats your hands, you give him points for this, i.e., you can beat two hands of one of the opponents and lose one of them, or you can beat all three hands of another opponent or lose all of them. If hands are equal, points are not credited.

One point is usually credited for each victory, but there are different systems. To avoid misunderstandings, players usually write scores.

There are variations of the rules according to which a player who beats all hands of the opponents receives bonus points. Bonus points are frequently added for the highest-ranking hands, three identical hands (three straights or flushes), six pairs, thirteen different cards, etc.

If you play for money, each point equals a certain predetermined amount.

The following scheme of accrual of points is used in some countries:

• If two hands win and one hand loses, two points are credited.
• If three hands win (the so-called scoop), four points are credited.
• If there are one victory, one draw, and one loss, one point is credited.

The bonus points can be credited in the following situations after comparing hands:

• The highest-ranking back, middle and front - 1 point.
• Set in the front - 2 points.
• Full house in the middle- 1 point.
• Four of a kind in the back - 3 points.
• Straight flush in the back - 4 points.

Where to Play Chinese Poker

As stated above, this poker is rare in gambling clubs. It is not easy to find it at online casinos.