Complete FAQ covering Chinese Poker rules, hand setup, royalties, scoring, fouling, Fantasy Land, and Open-Face variants. Beginner-friendly answers.
Reviewed by Card Games Academy Editorial Team · Asian Card Games Researchers
Quick answer: Chinese Poker (Pusoy) is a 13-card game where you arrange cards into 3 hands. This FAQ covers hand setup, royalties, scoring, fouling, Fantasy Land, and more.
You are viewing the faq section for Chinese Poker (Pusoy). The content below starts with key takeaways, then goes deeper with examples and common scenarios.
A: Chinese Poker (also known as Pusoy or Russian Poker) is a card game where each player receives 13 cards from a standard 52-card deck and must arrange them into three separate poker hands: a 3-card front hand, a 5-card middle hand, and a 5-card back hand. The hands must be arranged in ascending strength (front is weakest, back is strongest). Players then compare their hands against each opponent, earning one point for each hand they win.
A: Chinese Poker is best played with 2 to 4 players using a single standard 52-card deck. With 4 players, each receives exactly 13 cards (4 x 13 = 52). With fewer players, unused cards are set aside. The game works well heads-up (2 players) but is most engaging with 3-4 players.
A: No. Chinese Poker is fundamentally different from Texas Hold'em. There are no community cards, no betting rounds, and no bluffing. Chinese Poker is a pure strategy game focused on hand optimization - you arrange your 13 cards to beat opponents in head-to-head comparisons. Texas Hold'em involves betting strategy, position play, and psychological elements.
A: A single hand of Chinese Poker typically takes 2-5 minutes to arrange and resolve. An Open-Face Chinese Poker (OFCP) hand takes longer, usually 5-15 minutes, because cards are placed one at a time. A full session can last 30 minutes to several hours depending on the number of hands played.
A: If your hands are not in ascending strength order (front < middle < back), this is called a foul (also known as "Binh Lungs" in Vietnamese). When you foul:
You automatically lose all three hand comparisons against every opponent
You pay all applicable royalties to opponents
You receive no royalties even if you have qualifying hands
Fouling is the worst possible outcome, so always double-check your arrangement before revealing.
A: Royalties (also called bonuses) are extra points awarded for making particularly strong hands. They reward premium arrangements and can significantly affect scoring. Royalties are earned in addition to the regular comparison points.
A: A scoop occurs when you win all three hand comparisons against an opponent (front, middle, and back). Many rule sets award a bonus for scooping, typically doubling the comparison points. Instead of earning 3 points, you earn 6 points. Scooping is the best regular outcome in Chinese Poker.
A: In multi-player Chinese Poker, settlements are calculated pairwise. Each player compares hands with every other player individually. Points flow directly between each pair of players. For example, in a 3-player game:
Player A vs Player B: settle points
Player A vs Player C: settle points
Player B vs Player C: settle points
Each player can have a net positive or negative result depending on their total performance against all opponents.
A: Open-Face Chinese Poker (OFCP) is a modern variant where instead of receiving all 13 cards at once, players receive cards in stages and must place each card face-up as it arrives. The most common distribution pattern is 5 cards first, then sets of 3 cards (5-3-3-2) or (5-4-4).
The key difference is that in OFCP, you make placement decisions with incomplete information, adding a gambling and deduction element to the strategy.
A: Fantasy Land is a special bonus state in OFCP. When you make a qualifying front hand (usually Queens or better - a pair of Queens, Kings, Aces, or Three of a Kind), you enter Fantasy Land for the next hand.
In Fantasy Land, you receive all 13 cards at once (like regular Chinese Poker) and can arrange them in secret. This is a massive advantage because you can optimize your arrangement with full information. Fantasy Land continues if you again qualify with a strong front hand.
A: OFCP scoring uses the same comparison system but often with multiplied royalties. In many OFCP games, royalties are paid per unit (with each unit having a dollar value). The royalty values tend to be higher in OFCP because the game is structured around accumulating royalty points over multiple hands. Additionally, OFCP often uses a scoop bonus where winning all three hands against an opponent pays extra.
A: In some Chinese Poker variants, you can surrender before revealing your hands. Surrendering typically costs a fixed penalty (usually 2-3 points per opponent) but avoids the risk of a larger loss including royalties. Consider surrendering when:
Your deal is extremely weak with no pairs and no potential for competitive hands
The risk of fouling is very high
The potential loss including royalties exceeds the surrender penalty
However, do not surrender too often. Most deals can compete in at least one hand position, and consistent surrendering is a losing strategy over time.
A: Chinese Poker and Vietnamese Mau Binh (Mau Binh) are essentially the same core game with regional naming and rule variations. The Vietnamese version is called "Mau Binh" (literally "arranging cards") and uses the same 3-5-5 hand structure. Key differences may include specific royalty schedules, foul penalties, and scoring conventions. Mau Binh is widely played throughout Vietnam and in Vietnamese communities worldwide.
A: Chinese Poker combines both luck and skill. The initial deal is random (luck component), but how you arrange your cards is entirely strategic (skill component). Over a single hand, luck plays a significant role. Over many hands, skilled players consistently outperform weaker players. The skill ceiling is quite high, especially in OFCP where dynamic decision-making adds complexity.
A: Chinese Poker and its variants are available on numerous online gaming platforms. Open-Face Chinese Poker (OFCP) has become particularly popular online, with dedicated apps and websites offering both play-money and real-money games. Many poker training sites also offer Chinese Poker simulators for practice.