Chinese poker facts for kids

Chinese Poker is a fun and exciting poker game that comes from Asia. It's sometimes called Russian Poker. Unlike other poker games where you bet and try to get the best hand against others, Chinese Poker is all about arranging your cards into three separate poker hands.

Usually, two to four players can play this game. Each player gets 13 cards. Your main job is to take these 13 cards and create three different poker hands.

• The first hand has 3 cards. This is often called the "front" hand.
• The second hand has 5 cards. This is usually called the "middle" hand.
• The third hand also has 5 cards. This is known as the "back" hand.

There's a very important rule you must follow: your "back" hand (the third one) must be the strongest. Your "middle" hand (the second one) must be better than your "front" hand (the first one). If you don't follow this rule, your hands are "fouled," and you lose points!

What is Chinese Poker?

Chinese Poker is a unique type of poker game. It's different from games like Texas Hold'em because there are no betting rounds. Instead, players focus on setting their cards. The game is popular in many parts of the world, especially in Asia. It tests your strategic thinking and how well you can arrange your cards.

How to Play Chinese Poker

Playing Chinese Poker involves a few simple steps. First, you need a standard deck of 52 cards. The game is best with three or four players, but two can also play.

Dealing the Cards

At the start of each round, every player receives 13 cards. These cards are dealt face down, so only you can see them. Once you have your cards, the real challenge begins: deciding how to arrange them.

Setting Your Hands

This is the most important part of Chinese Poker. You must arrange your 13 cards into three hands:

• A 3-card hand (the front hand).
• A 5-card hand (the middle hand).
• Another 5-card hand (the back hand).

The "setting" rule is key:

• Your back hand must be stronger than your middle hand.
• Your middle hand must be stronger than your front hand.

If you make a mistake and your hands are not in the correct order of strength, your entire hand is "fouled." This means you automatically lose points to all other players. So, always double-check your hand strengths!

Understanding Hand Strengths

The strength of your hands is based on standard poker rankings.

• For 5-card hands (middle and back): All regular poker hands apply, from a high card to a royal flush. For example, a straight beats three of a kind, and a full house beats a flush.
• For 3-card hands (front): With only three cards, you can't make a straight or a flush. So, the best hands are three of a kind, followed by a pair, and then just a high card. For example, three Kings is the best 3-card hand, followed by three Aces (if no Kings), then a pair of Aces, and so on.

Scoring Points

After everyone has set their hands, players compare their hands with each other. You usually play for "units" or "points." Each player compares their front hand with every other player's front hand. They do the same for the middle and back hands.

• If your hand is stronger than another player's hand, you win one unit from them for that specific hand.
• If their hand is stronger, you lose one unit to them.
• If the hands are tied, no points are exchanged for that hand.

So, if you play against three other people, you compare your three hands against each of their three hands. You could win or lose up to three units against each opponent in a single round.

Royalties and Bonuses

Sometimes, players get extra points called "royalties" or "bonuses" for very strong hands. These can include:

• Scooping: If you win all three hands against one opponent, you usually get an extra bonus (e.g., double points for that opponent).
• Special Hands: Having very strong hands like a straight flush or four of a kind in your back or middle hand, or three of a kind in your front hand, can also earn you bonus points from all players. The exact bonuses can vary depending on the house rules.

Chinese Poker is a game of skill and strategy. It's about making the best possible hands from your cards while making sure they follow the strength order. It's a great way to enjoy poker without the pressure of betting.

Images for kids

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  Chinese Poker.