Introduction

Chinese poker is a card game that originated in China and has become popular around the world. The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards and can be played with 2 to 4 players. In Chinese poker, players make three poker hands using 13 cards, with the aim of making the best possible hand in each of the three hands. The game involves strategy, skill, and luck, making it an exciting game for players of all levels.

How to Play Chinese Poker

Card Arrangements

At the beginning of the game, each player is dealt 13 cards face down. Players then arrange their cards into three hands: two five-card hands and one three-card hand. The three-card hand must be the lowest ranking hand, while the two five-card hands must be higher in ranking than the three-card hand. Once the cards have been arranged, players reveal their hands and compare them with the other players.

Showdown

Once all players have arranged their cards, a showdown occurs. Players reveal their hands, starting with the player to the left of the dealer and moving clockwise. The player with the highest ranking hand wins the round and scores points. If two or more players have the same ranking hand, the player with the highest-ranking card in that hand wins.

Scoring

Scoring in Chinese poker is based on a point system. At the end of each round, players score points based on their hand rankings. The player with the highest ranking hand in each of the three hands scores one point, and if a player wins all three hands, they score a bonus point. If two players have the same number of points, the player with the highest ranking hand wins. The game can be played to a predetermined number of points, and the player with the highest number of points at the end of the game is declared the winner.

Hand Rankings

 The hand rankings in Chinese poker are similar to traditional poker hand rankings. The three-card hand must be the lowest ranking hand, and the two five-card hands must be higher in ranking than the three-card hand.

Bonuses

In addition to the standard scoring, Chinese poker also has bonus points that can be scored by players. These bonuses are awarded for certain hand combinations and can add to a player's overall score. The bonuses are as follows:

• Clean Dragon: All 13 unique cards consists entirely one card from 2-A, all in the same suit. Clean dragon is the highest hand, scoring 108 points from each player.
• Dragon: All 13 unique cards consists entirely one card from 2-A, but can be from different suits, scoring 36 points from each player.
• 12 Royalties: All 13 cards consists of entirely picture and Ace (J-A) cards, scoring 24 points from each player.
• Three Straight Flushes: All three hands consist of three straight flushes, scoring 20 points from each player.
• Three Quads: Consists of three four-of-a-kinds and one additional card, scoring 20 points from each player.
• All Highs: All 13 cards consists of cards either 8 and higher, scoring 10 points from each player.
• All Lows: All 13 cards consists of cards either 8 and lower, scoring 10 points from each player.
• Full-colored: Consist of a suit entirely black (spades and clubs) or red (diamonds and hearts), scoring 10 points from each player.
• Four Triples: Consist of four three-of-a-kind and one additional card, scoring 6 points from each player.
• Five Pairs and A Triple: Consist of four pairs and one three-of-a-kind, scoring 5 points from each player.
• Six-and-a-half Pairs: Consist of six pairs and one additional card, scoring 4 points from each player.
• Three Flushes: All three hands consist of flushes, scoring 4 points from each player.
• Three Straights: All three hands consist of straights, scoring 3 points from each player. 

Bonus Rules

When a bonus hand meets another bonus hand, the player with the highest-ranking bonus hand wins against the other three players, the player with the second-highest ranking bonus hand wins against the remaining two players, and so on. If the same bonus hand appears in the same round, it is a tie. The ranking is in descending order.

Scoop: When a player loses all three hands to a certain player, it is considered scooped and is paid double of the base points. 

Home-run: If a player scoops all three players, it is considered home-run and the payment is further doubled.

Variation

Chinese poker can also be played among six players. A standard deck of 52 cards plus two additional sets of cards in spades and hearts, totaling 78 cards, each player receives a 13-card hand.

Note that the hand of five cards of the same rank in the same hand is called Five of a Kind, which ranks higher than a straight flush.