If you are able to master the basics of poker and if you have already become an experienced poker player, many a poker player could wish to have some variety. Luckily, besides the most well-known poker variants like Omaha Hi or Texas Hold’em there are many other variants staying close enough to the original game to satisfy every poker player, but also to provide some exciting innovations at the same time. Especially the Asian countries offer some of the most interesting poker variants (Badugi Poker was already presented at Zeb Poker) and this also includes Chinese Poker. This variant is offered at many casinos and it is also played by poker pros like Phil Hellmuth and Phil Ivey.

Chinese Poker: The Rules

Chinese Poker can be played by 2 or 4 players, each getting thirteen cards. The peculiarity of this poker variant is: all cards must be divided into three hands immediately, and these cards are played off against the hands of the opponents when they are turned around. The back and middle hands comprise 5 cards each and the front hand consists of 3 cards. The hands must be sorted according to their value: the highest hand is the back hand, the lowest hand is the front hand. The cards are valuated as it is done when playing a traditional poker hand, but the front hand has no streets and/or flushes. After each player got dealt his or her cards, the hands are revealed one after the other and they are compared with the hands of the other poker players on the table. Afterwards, the points are being calculated. These points represent a certain amount of money that is determined before the hand and this amount of money is paid out after the end of the game. The principle of the evaluation is the basic rule that each player gets a point for each hand beating the hand of an opponent. You get four points, if you beat an opponent with front, middle, and back hand at the same time. Considering the counting of the points, there are various variants when playing Chinese Poker. Therefore, it is important to agree on the calculation of the points before the beginning the game. In most versions of the game the players get bonus points for certain combinations (“royalties”), e.g. a straight flush, a full house, or three-of-a-kind. The so-called “neutral hands” like a 13 card flush or a street consisting of 13 cards result in an immediate victory and the respective player gets 12 points.

Chinese Poker: Conclusion

Chinese Poker is a fast variant of poker and it depends a lot on your luck. Therefore, it is much fun, especially for the beginners. Experienced poker players are able to include some strategies. Chinese Poker suits very well for an entertaining poker evening.