Mầu Binh Variations - A Tale of Three Games 🎭
The Name Confusion
In Vietnam, "bài" terminology can be regional.
- Miền Bắc (North): "Mầu Binh" usually refers to the 13-card strategic game (Chinese Poker). The 3-card betting game is called "Liêng" or "3 Cây".
- Miền Nam (South): "Binh Xập Xám" is the 13-card game. The 3-card game is "Bài Cào" (Scratch Cards).
This guide clarifies the three major variants involving 3-card mechanics.
Variation 1: Liêng (Poker 3 Lá)
The version described in the Rules section.
- Region: Popular in Central and Northern Vietnam.
- Mechanic: 3 Cards + Betting (Tố).
- Ranking: Poker hands (Wax/Trips > Straight > Flush > Pair).
- Gameplay: Intense betting rounds, bluffing allowed.
- Vibe: High stakes, psychological, "Vietnamese Poker".
Variation 2: Bài Cào / 3 Cây (Point Counting)
The most casual and popular folk game.
- Region: Everywhere, especially Southern Vietnam (Bài Cào).
- Mechanic: 3 Cards + Point Summing (Modulo 10).
- Scoring:
- Add values: A=1, 2-9=Face, 10/J/Q/K=0 (or 10).
- Take the last digit. Example:
9 + 8 + 5 = 22→ 2 Points (Nút). - Highest is 9 (9 Nút).
- Special: "Ba Tây" (Three Face Cards) beats 9 points.
- Difference: No straights or flushes. Pure math addition.
- Vibe: Very fast, pure luck, party game.
Variation 3: Binh Xập Xám (Chinese Poker)
The strategic masterpiece.
- Cards: 13 cards per player.
- Mechanic: Arrange 13 cards into 3 limbs (chi):
- Front: 3 cards (Weakest)
- Middle: 5 cards (Stronger)
- Back: 5 cards (Strongest)
- Gameplay: Compare limbs against opponents.
- Strategy: Extremely high. Requires arranging optimal poker hands.
- Connection: The "Front" limb uses the same 3-card ranking logic (High card, Pair, Trips) as Liêng, but Straights/Flushes usually don't count in the 3-card front limb.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Liêng | Bài Cào (3 Cây) | Binh Xập Xám |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cards | 3 | 3 | 13 |
| Ranking | Poker Hands | Sum Points (0-9) | 3 Poker Rows |
| Betting | Yes (Poker style) | Ante only | Points per limb |
| Skill | High (Bluffing) | Low (Luck) | Very High (Logic) |
| Speed | Medium | Very Fast | Slow |
🎯 Which One Are You Playing?
- If people are saying "Tố" (Raise) or "Theo" (Call) → You are playing Liêng.
- If people are counting "Nút" (Points) or shouting "Ba Tây!" → You are playing Bài Cào.
- If people are arranging 13 cards into rows → You are playing Binh Xập Xám.
This documentation set primarily covers the Liêng (Poker ranking) style as requested by the "3-Card Poker" description.
Last Updated: January 2026 Author: Card Games Academy