Lesser Known Casino Games: Chinese Poker
Who would have known that a game such as Poker would have so many variations in its overall gameplay? Chinese Poker (also known as Russian Poker, for a little bit of irony) is a variation that obviously has its roots firmly planted in the Asian community. The lure of Chinese Poker is not in the mere fact of trying out a new card game variant, but in its simplicity of gameplay.
You don’t need to be a Poker master in order to play Chinese Poker. As long as a player has a fair grasp of how the hand ranking hierarchy in Poker is set up, then they will do just fine.
Many players scoff at the overall concept of “luck” in certain poker games, saying that skill is the only true factor in a card game. Well, they should probably stay away from Chinese Poker then, as it is more luck based than anything.
However, this is really a good thing, because it allows for inexperienced players to win some of the shorter length games, even against the pros, not to mention that it makes the losses easier to take. The game also only needs a few players, so the “battlefield”, as it were, is a little more intimate.
Gameplay uses the standard 52 card deck, with each player getting a thirteen card hand (so really, there can be only four players). What makes this game interesting is that the thirteen cards make up three hands. Two of the hands are five card hands (also known as the “middle” and “back” hands), and the “front” hand is made up of the final three cards. It is important to note that the “back” hand should be the high ranking hand, and the “front” makes for the low ranking hand. The middle hand? It’s somewhere between the “highest” and “lowest” hand, which is why they call it the “middle” hand. Neat, huh?
Play is done clockwise, with each player announcing if they have intent to play their hand. Players announce their “royalties” (bonuses) before playing their hand. Additionally, scoring is measured in units, which is agreed upon before the game commences.
Chinese Poker is a game that has the advantage to pick up and learn due to its ease of use. While it may lack the prominence of regular Poker, it still makes for a fun and exciting night at the casino. If it’s offered in a casino that you visit, we urge you to give it a try – while it’s “luck” in what cards you are dealt, there is certainly something fun about “making” your hands.
Good luck out there!
