Introduction to Open Face Chinese Poker
Welcome to the fascinating world of Open Face Chinese (OFC) Poker, a thrilling card game that combines strategy, skill, and a touch of luck. OFC Poker is typically played with 2-4 players, each receiving 5 cards from a standard 52-card deck. These 5 cards are then arranged into three rows, known as the back, middle, and front hands. It is essential to note that, unlike other poker variants, the back hand must be the strongest, while the front hand should be the weakest.
The Ranking of Hands in OFC Poker
The ranking of hands in OFC Poker follows the same hierarchy as Texas Hold’em Poker. The front hand can have a maximum ranking of a high triple, while the middle and back hands can range from trips to a Royal Flush. Once players have arranged their initial 5 cards, they are dealt additional cards one at a time, aiming to create the three strongest hands possible. It is crucial to make careful choices because once the cards are placed, they cannot be moved.
After all cards have been dealt and placed, any fouls are identified. A foul occurs when the middle hand is stronger than the back hand or when the front hand is stronger than the middle hand. Each foul results in a deduction of 6 points. Each row directly competes against the corresponding row of the opponent, with 1 point awarded for each winning hand. If a player manages to win all three hands, an additional scoop of 3 points is received, resulting in a total of 6 points. The game operates as a zero-sum game, with points awarded to winners deducted from the losers.
Bonus Royalty Points in OFC Poker
In addition to the basic hand scoring and scoops, OFC Poker offers bonus royalty points based on the cards in each row hand. These bonus points can significantly affect the overall point totals. Let’s take a closer look at the potential bonuses for each row:
Front Hand Bonus Royalty Points:
- Pair of Sixes: 1 point
- Pair of Sevens: 2 points
- Pair of Eights: 3 points
- Pair of Nines: 4 points
- Pair of Tens: 5 points
- Pair of Jacks: 6 points
- Pair of Queens: 7 points
- Pair of Kings: 8 points
- Pair of Aces: 9 points
Middle Hand Bonus Royalty Points:
- Three of a Kind: 2 points
- Straight: 4 points
- Flush: 8 points
- Full House: 12 points
- Four of a Kind: 20 points
- Straight Flush: 30 points
- Royal Flush: 50 points
Back Hand Bonus Royalty Points:
- Straight: 2 points
- Flush: 4 points
- Full House: 6 points
- Four of a Kind: 10 points
- Straight Flush: 15 points
- Royal Flush: 25 points
By constructing more valuable row hands, players can significantly alter their relative point totals. However, players must exercise caution to avoid inadvertently fouling their hands while aiming for higher bonus points. It is important to note that row hands still receive bonus points, even if they are beaten by their opponents’ corresponding row hands.
Open Face Chinese Poker Scoring
While basic hand scoring and scoops contribute to the overall point totals, it is the royalty points that can truly elevate a player’s game. Here is a breakdown of the bonus royalty points available in the front, middle, and back hands:
Front Hand Bonus Royalty Points per Card:
- 6-6: 1 point
- 7-7: 2 points
- 8-8: 3 points
- 9-9: 4 points
- 10-10: 5 points
- J-J: 6 points
- Q-Q: 7 points
- K-K: 8 points
- A-A: 9 points
Middle Hand Bonus Royalty Points per Card:
- Any Three of a Kind: 2 points
- Straight: 4 points
- Flush: 8 points
- Full House: 12 points
- Four of a Kind: 20 points
- Straight Flush: 30 points
- Royal Flush: 50 points
Back Hand Bonus Royalty Points per Card:
- Straight: 2 points
- Flush: 4 points
- Full House: 6 points
- Four of a Kind: 10 points
- Straight Flush: 15 points
- Royal Flush: 25 points
These bonus royalty points can greatly enhance a player’s overall score and success in OFC Poker.
Fantasy Land in OFC Poker
Fantasy Land is a special play in OFC Poker triggered by having a front hand with a pair of queens or better that doesn’t foul. When a player achieves this, they enter Fantasy Land for the next game. In Fantasy Land, the player is dealt all 13 cards upfront and places them face down, hidden from the other players. This unique opportunity allows players in Fantasy Land to see other players’ row hands, providing a significant advantage.
Multiple players can be in Fantasy Land in a single game, and their hands are played clockwise from the dealer button. The dealer button remains in the same position when entering a Fantasy Land game, essentially extending the previous game. To stay in Fantasy Land, players must meet even stricter requirements than the initial entry
