Chinese Poker, also known as Open Face Chinese Poker, has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, especially in the poker community. It's a fun and exciting game that requires a different strategy and skill set compared to traditional poker games. In this blog, we'll share some tips and tricks to help you slay the table at Chinese Poker.

Understand the Rules

The first step to becoming a Chinese Poker pro is understanding the rules. The game is played with a standard 52-card deck, and each player receives 13 cards to make three poker hands: two five-card hands and one three-card hand. The three-card hand must be the weakest, followed by the five-card hand, which must be stronger than the three-card hand. The goal of the game is to have the highest-scoring hand at the end of each round.

Plan Ahead

One of the most important aspects of Chinese Poker is planning ahead. You need to think about the potential combinations of cards you can make before placing each card on the table. This involves considering the strength of your current hand, as well as the possible hands your opponents might make based on the cards they've already played. By planning ahead, you can increase your chances of making the best possible hands.

Focus on the Top Hand

The top hand is the most important hand in Chinese Poker, as it carries the highest point value. In fact, if you win all three hands, but your opponent has a stronger top hand, they will still win the overall game. Therefore, it's important to focus on building a strong top hand, even if it means sacrificing the strength of your other hands.

Keep an Eye on Your Opponents' Hands

In Chinese Poker, you can see some of your opponents' cards, which can give you valuable information about the strength of their hands. For example, if you see that one of your opponents has already played several high cards, it's likely that their remaining cards are weaker. Conversely, if they haven't played any high cards yet, they may be holding a very strong hand. By paying attention to your opponents' hands, you can adjust your strategy accordingly.

Avoid Foul Hands

One of the most common mistakes beginners make in Chinese Poker is fouling their hands. A foul occurs when one of your hands is out of order or is stronger than a higher hand. If you foul, you automatically lose the game, even if you had the strongest hands. To avoid fouling, make sure to pay close attention to the order of your hands and double-check before laying them down.

Be Disciplined with Your Royalties

Royalties are bonus points that are awarded for specific combinations of cards, such as a straight flush or four of a kind. While it's tempting to go for the big royalties, it's important to be disciplined and not sacrifice the strength of your other hands just to chase after them. Remember, the goal is to have the highest-scoring overall hand, not just to win royalties.

Practice, Practice, Practice

As with any game, practice is key to becoming a Chinese Poker pro. Play as many hands as you can and analyze your gameplay to identify areas where you can improve. You can also try playing against different opponents to learn new strategies and techniques.

In conclusion, Chinese Poker is a fun and exciting game that requires a different skill set and strategy compared to traditional poker games. By understanding the rules, planning ahead, focusing on the top hand, paying attention to your opponents' hands, avoiding fouls, being disciplined with your royalties, and practising, you can increase your chances of slaying the table at Chinese Poker. Good luck!