Introduction to Open Face Chinese Poker – Part 2

Open Face Chinese poker is a game that has picked up a lot of traction since first introduced. In part 1 of this series, we focused on its predecessor, the classic Chinese Poker from which OFC takes many of its rules and concepts.

However, one of the most important differences between the two games is the fact that classic Chinese Poker is based purely on luck; the skill element is really insignificant and thus, the game itself doesn’t have much allure apart from the thrill of gambling.

The Open Face variation strived to change that, introducing many strategic elements and considerations in the game. And while it still remains quite heavily luck-oriented, better players do have an edge over weaker opponents.

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OFC Rules and Gameplay

One of the most glaring differences between the classic variation and OFC is the fact that the latter is played with cards up (e.g. open face). This means that players have much more information at their disposal and can employ certain strategies to help them maximize profits.

The game is played with a minimum of two and a maximum of four players who will each be dealt 13 cards by the time the hand is over (unless they decided to give up earlier, e.g. surrender).

Surrendering players will lose 2 units to all players who reach the showdown.

The first player to the left of the Dealer button receives the first five cards and he can arrange them (face up) in the three existing rows (back, middle, front) anyway he or she sees fit. The back and middle rows consist of five cards, while the front row is made up of three cards. Once a player is done arranging his cards, he passes the action on to the next player and he can no longer move cards around.

The next player then receives his five cards and repeats the same process. When all participating players have received their initial five cards, the action goes back to the first player left of the button and he receives one card to set anywhere on the board. Once he is done, the action moves on to the next player and the card can no longer be moved. This repeats until all the players have received thirteen cards each.

Fouling

Just like in the classic variation, the rules for arranging your cards in the rows for a hand to be valid are:

• Back row must be the best hand of the three
• Middle row must be higher than the front row but lower than the back row
• Front row must be the weakest hand of the three

If these conditions are not met, the hand is said to be fouled and the fouling player will lose 6 points to every active player with a valid hand.

Scoring

Although there are some variations and deviations in the scoring system, the following is most often used to keep track of the results.

• Beating opponent in a single row +1 unit
• Surrender +2 units for all players who reach the showdown in a particular hand vs the surrendering player
• Scooping – if one player beats another player in all three rows, he receives +6 units (instead of +3)

Royalties

Royalties are a concept specific to Open Face Chinese Poker. These are special bonuses awarded based on the strength of a hand in a specific row and are awarded before the hands are compared. (Surrendering players do not have to pay the royalties)

Front row royalties

• Pairs 66 – AA (from +1 unit to +9 units, increasing by one for every pair)
• Trips 222+ (from +10 units to +22 units for AAA, increasing by one for every higher trips)

Middle row royalties

• Trips +2 units
• Straight +4 units
• Boat +12 units
• Four of a kind +20 units
• Straight flush +30 units
• Royal flush +50 units

Back row royalties

• Straight +2 units
• Flush +4 units
• Boat +6 units
• Four of a kind +10 units
• Straight flush +15 units
• Royal flush +25 units

Fantasy Land

Fantasy land is the final concept we will cover in this part of our OFC series. Fantasy land is, simply put, the best thing that can happen to you when playing Open Face Chinese.

To get to a fantasy land, you need to have a pair of Queens or better in the front row and your hand must not be fouled.

If a player enters the fantasy land on one hand, in the next hand he is dealt all thirteen cards at once, like in a classic variation, and can arrange them without having to show them to the other players at the tables. This is clearly a huge advantage.

For a player to stay in the fantasy land, they have to make at least three of a kind in the front row, without fouling.

This should have you set to sit down and play your first game of Open Face Chinese Poker. If you join TonyBet with us, you will receive a generous $500 deposit bonus and will also be eligible for the $500 freeroll on March 1. It should be a fun one.

The next part of this series will cover some of the variations that developed from the standard OFC, like Pineapple and Turbo OFC.

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