Chinese Poker Rules - Complete Guide#

Quick Answer#

What is Chinese Poker? Chinese Poker (also known as Pusoy or Russian Poker) is a card game where players receive 13 cards and must arrange them into three separate poker hands of increasing strength.

How long does a game take? 5-15 minutes per hand, depending on the number of players and experience level.

What is the difficulty level? Intermediate - requires understanding of poker hand rankings and strategic hand arrangement.

How many players? 2-4 players, best with 3-4.

What do you need to play? One standard 52-card deck and chips or score sheet for tracking points.

What is the main objective? Arrange your 13 cards into three valid poker hands that beat your opponents corresponding hands.

How do you win? Win at least two of the three hand comparisons against each opponent. Bonus royalties are awarded for premium hands.

Overview#

Chinese Poker is one of the most popular poker variants in Asia and has gained significant traction worldwide as a fast-paced alternative to traditional poker. Unlike community-card poker games like Texas Holdem, Chinese Poker requires no betting rounds or bluffing. Instead, it is a pure strategy game focused on hand optimization and combinatorial thinking.

The game is especially popular as a side game during major poker tournaments, where professionals play for significant stakes. The Open-face Chinese Poker (OFCP) variant has further boosted its popularity by adding a dynamic card-by-card placement mechanic.

Hand Structure#

Each player must arrange their 13 cards into three hands:

1. Front Hand (Top): 3 cards. This must be the weakest of the three hands.
2. Middle Hand: 5 cards. This must be stronger than or equal to the front hand.
3. Back Hand (Bottom): 5 cards. This must be the strongest of the three hands.

The critical rule is that hands must be arranged in ascending strength: Front < Middle < Back. If you arrange them incorrectly (a foul), you lose all three comparisons automatically.

Poker Hand Rankings (Weakest to Strongest)#

The standard poker hand rankings apply:

1. High Card: No matching cards; ranked by highest card.
2. One Pair: Two cards of the same rank.
3. Two Pair: Two different pairs.
4. Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank.
5. Straight: Five consecutive cards of mixed suits.
6. Flush: Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
7. Full House: Three of a kind plus a pair.
8. Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank.
9. Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit.
10. Royal Flush: A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit (the ultimate hand).

Note: In the 3-card front hand, only High Card, One Pair, and Three of a Kind are possible. A 3-card straight or flush does not count.

Setup and Deal#

1. Determine the dealer randomly for the first hand. The dealer position rotates clockwise.
2. Shuffle and deal: The dealer shuffles the deck and deals 13 cards face-down to each player, one at a time.
3. Arrange hands: Each player picks up their cards and arranges them into three hands. Take your time - this is the core strategic decision.

Gameplay#

1. Arrange your hands: Place your 13 cards into the three required positions (3-5-5), ensuring ascending strength.
2. Reveal: Once all players are ready, everyone reveals their hands simultaneously.
3. Compare: Each player compares each of their three hands against each opponent. You earn one point for each hand you win, and lose one point for each hand you lose.
4. Settle: Points are settled between all pairs of players.

Royalties (Bonus Hands)#

Royalties are bonus points awarded for premium hands. Common royalties include:

Front Hand Royalties#

• Three of a Kind: +3 points
• Pair of Aces or Kings: +1 point (in some rule sets)

Middle Hand Royalties#

• Full House: +1 point
• Four of a Kind: +4 points
• Straight Flush: +6 points

Back Hand Royalties#

• Four of a Kind: +2 points
• Straight Flush: +4 points
• Royal Flush: +8 points

Special Hands (Automatic Wins)#

• Dragon (13-card straight): Automatically wins all three hands, massive bonus.
• Six Pairs: +6 bonus points.
• Three Straights or Three Flushes: +3 bonus points each.

Scoring Example#

If Player A and Player B compare hands:

Position	Player A	Player B	Result
Front (3)	A-A-5	K-K-7	A wins (+1)
Middle (5)	5-6-7-8-9	Q-Q-3-4-5	A wins (+1)
Back (5)	10-J-Q-K-A	2-3-4-5-6	A wins (+1)

Player A wins 3 points from Player B in this round (plus any applicable royalties).

Key Differences from Vietnamese Mau Binh#

Chinese Poker and Mau Binh are essentially the same core game with regional variations:

• Naming: Mau Binh is the Vietnamese name. Chinese Poker or Pusoy are international names.
• Foul penalty: Mau Binh calls a foul "Binh Lungs." Penalties may vary between casual and competitive play.
• Royalty structures: Vietnamese Mau Binh often has specific royalty tables that differ slightly from international Chinese Poker royalty schedules.
• Speed: Mau Binh games tend to be faster in casual Vietnamese settings, often played with simpler scoring.
• Natural 13-card hands: Both versions reward special 13-card combinations, but the exact bonus amounts differ.

Etiquette#

Chinese Poker is widely played as a fast-paced side game during major poker tournaments and in casual home games across Asia. Despite its competitive nature, the game carries a relaxed social atmosphere since there are no betting rounds or bluffing. The focus is on the intellectual challenge of arranging 13 cards optimally, and players are expected to treat this process with concentration and respect.

Taking time to arrange your hands is perfectly acceptable, but be mindful of the table's pace. In casual games, a minute or two of thought is reasonable; in tournament side games, the expectation is often faster play. If you are a newer player, let the table know in advance so they can be patient. When all players are ready to reveal, do so simultaneously and cleanly -- stacking your three hands clearly so opponents can compare each position without confusion.

Chinese Poker involves settling points between all pairs of players, which can lead to complex accounting in multi-player games. Keeping a running score sheet is strongly recommended, and all players should agree on the scoring system and royalty schedule before the first hand is dealt. Disputes about hand comparisons should be resolved by referencing the standard poker hand rankings, and any edge cases should be discussed and agreed upon as a group.

Table Manners#

• Place your arranged hands face-down until all players signal readiness, then reveal them together without drama.
• Keep your three hands clearly separated (front, middle, back) so opponents can compare each position unambiguously.
• Do not comment on or react to your cards while arranging them, as this can give opponents information about your hand strength.
• In Open-face Chinese Poker (OFCP), place each card deliberately and clearly in its designated position.
• Handle point settlement promptly between hands so the next round can begin without delays.

Sportsmanship#

• If you notice an opponent has accidentally fouled their hand arrangement, point it out before scoring rather than quietly collecting the easy win.
• Accept fouled hands with grace if they happen to you -- the 3-5-5 ordering rule catches everyone eventually, even experienced players.
• Celebrate royalty hands modestly; they are exciting but largely driven by the luck of the deal.
• In multi-round sessions, do not give up or play carelessly when falling behind in points, as every hand matters in the final tally.

Strategy Tips#

1. Protect the middle hand: The most common mistake is making the back hand too strong at the expense of the middle. A balanced approach wins more overall comparisons.
2. Plan for royalties: If you have a potential royalty hand, calculate whether pursuing it is worth the risk of weakening your other hands.
3. Avoid fouls: Double-check that your hands are in ascending order before revealing. A foul loses everything.
4. Consider opponents: In a 3-4 player game, you need to win against most opponents, not just one. Arrange for broad competitiveness.
5. Practice hand reading: Quickly evaluating 13 cards and identifying the best 3-5-5 split is a skill that improves with practice.

Open-face Chinese Poker (OFCP)#

A popular modern variant where instead of receiving all 13 cards at once, players receive cards in stages (5-5-3 or other patterns) and must place each card face-up as they receive it. This adds a gambling element since early decisions are made with incomplete information. OFCP uses a point-based scoring system where royalties are multiplied, making premium hands extremely valuable.