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The best Chinese poker sites offer a diverse selection of iterations, many of which share similarities with more traditional versions of the game. These platforms are continuing to gain traction across the globe, while they’re also popular among a wide cross-section of Asian players.
But what is Chinese poker, and what are the legalities of playing this game? We’ll explore these questions below while appraising the best available promotions and rakeback deals.
Chinese Poker is considered to be one of the easiest forms of poker to learn for beginner players.
4 Sites Where You Can Learn How to Play Open Face Chinese Poker
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- Crypto Poker
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List of the Top Chinese OFC and Pineapple Poker Sites
- CoinPoker – Our Pick as the Best Chinese Poker Site
- BetOnline Poker – Offers an Array of Cryptocurrency Tokens
- Sportsbetting.ag – Choose from the Best Selection of Poker Games
- Tiger Gaming – Provides the Best Poker Software and HUD
What is Chinese Poker?
There are various types of poker you can play, but the Chinese poker game sees each player receive 13 cards in total. The hand arrangement features three cards in front, five middle cards, and the final five at the back. However, there are plenty of game variations of this Asian poker game available online, from Chinese Open Face Poker to double and triple deck iterations. Let’s take a closer look at each format!
- Classic Chinese Poker: This is the best-known online Chinese Poker iteration. In this game, players are each dealt 13 cards, which must be arranged into three hands. Two of these are ‘blind’ hands (comprising middle and backhands with five cards each) and a single ‘open’ hand. The latter features three cards. As with traditional poker, the objective is to make each hand as strong as possible, as points are awarded to each one based on rankings. The winner will accumulate the most points after each round.
- Open-Face Chinese Poker (OFC): Chinese Open-Face Poker is another popular iteration. In this case, cards are dealt gradually rather than at once, starting with five face-up cards. Then, further cards are drawn to complete each hand, creating more opportunities for betting and bluffing your opponents. However, the aim of the game remains the same as classic Chinese Poker, as you look to construct the best possible three hands.
- Fantasy Chinese Poker: Many of the best Chinese poker sites will also feature ‘Fantasy’ Chinese poker. As the name suggests, this adds a distinct fantasy element to the gameplay, as you can select cards with specific attributes to help influence the outcome of games. These create a clear differential when compared to traditional games, while they allow for far greater strategic thinking in play.
- Pineapple Chinese Poker: Another Chinese poker card game is referred to as ‘Pineapple’. In this format, each player is dealt a total of 18 cards instead of 13, creating more flexibility when building your three hands. The additional five cards certainly allow more strategic options and winning combinations, so gameplay can be a little more tense and complex.
- Double-Deck Chinese Poker: This is the first Chinese poker game on our list to feature two 52-card decks. This is a much tougher iteration to play, as it’s much harder to track hands and analyze the real-time probability of being dealt specific cards. This certainly allows for more Chinese poker combinations and variations, although more cautious betting strategies may be required due to the game’s increased unpredictability.
- Triple-Deck Chinese Poker: This game is an extension of Double-Deck Chinese Poker, as it introduces a third deck and brings 156 cards into play. This iteration of the game is far less common, of course, but it may be available at some select Chinese poker sites. However, it’s not a variation for the faint-hearted, as the level of complexity and potential hand combinations can be difficult to navigate.
- Super Pineapple Chinese Poker: This is an expanded version of Pineapple Chinese poker and another variation from the classic Chinese 13-card game. In this iteration, a total of 21 cards are dealt to players, three of which must be discarded before final hands are confirmed. This requires you to plan ahead and think more strategically, as constructing optimal hands may be a little harder.
- Progressive Chinese Poker: Last, but not least, we come to ‘Progressive’ Chinese poker. This features a unique scoring system, enabling players to gradually accumulate points (or potentially poker chips) over a series of hands. During this time, the pot also accumulates to create a lucrative jackpot, which is ultimately won by the player who earns the most points.
Guide to the Best Chinese Poker Sites
Now that you’ve been introduced to the most popular Chinese poker variations, we’re going to explore the best rooms and sites. Here’s our pick of the top four!
1. CoinPoker – Our Pick as the Best Chinese Poker Site
- Website: https://coinpoker.com/
- Poker Network: Proprietary
- Established: 2017
- License: Curaçao eGaming License
- Welcome Bonus: 150% deposit match up to $2,000
CoinPoker is our pick as the best choice among available Chinese Poker Sites. Here, you can access highly engaging iterations of Open Face Chinese Poker and Pineapple, which offer a stark and welcome contrast to Texas Hold ‘em and Pot-Limit Omaha iterations online.
This site also offers extensive tutorials and detailed blog posts, which outline how to play Chinese poker and rank specific hands. The Open Face Poker variant also underpins several tournaments, which are defined by low buy-ins and high guaranteed minimums.
You can also access an overall rakeback offer of 33% at CoinPoker. However, you must invest in the site’s native CHP token to be eligible, while holding at least 50% of the payable rake in this specific currency to qualify.
Pros
- Numerous variations of Open Face Chinese Poker and Pineapple
- Open Face Poker tournaments with low buy-ins
- Rakeback of 33% for CHP token holders
- Access a diverse selection of wider cash games
Cons
- There are no fiat payment options available
2. BetOnline Poker – Offers an Array of Cryptocurrency Tokens
- Website: https://www.betonline.ag/
- Poker Network: Chico Network
- Established: 2004
- License: Panama Gambling License
- Main Chinese Poker Variant: Open Face Chinese Poker and Pineapple
BetOnline offers several Chinese poker variants to players. The main iterations are Open Face Chinese Poker (OFC) and Pineapple, both of which are featured on the site’s ‘Jackpot Windfalls’ tournament page.
These dynamic games are perfect for this vertical, with OFC requiring hands to be dealt gradually and unlocking multiple rounds of betting. Recently, BetOnline launched its inaugural Jackpot Sit & Go version of Open Face Chinese Poker, which retains the same iconic poker hand rankings as Texas Hold’em and Omaha.
BetOnline also enables you to wager using a broad selection of cryptocurrencies. You can deposit and wager using 18 different tokens, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Cardano, and Ripple.
Pros
- Jackpot Windfalls versions of OFC and Pineapple
- Offers a unique Jackpot Sit & Go version of Open Face Chinese Poker
- Access ‘Boost’ titles for PLO and NLHE players
- Deposit and wager using 18 different cryptocurrencies
Cons
- There’s a 6% fee on credit card deposits
3. Sportsbetting.ag – Choose from the Best Selection of Poker Games
- Website: https://www.sportsbetting.ag/
- Poker Network: Chico Poker Network
- Established: 2003
- License: Antigua and Barbuda
- Main Chinese Poker Variant: OFC and Pineapple Chinese Poker
Operating on the popular Chico Network, SportsBetting.ag boasts a similar layout to BetOnline. You can also access the familiar OFC and Pineapple Chinese Poker variants here, the latter of which offers lower prize multipliers but exceptionally competitive buy-ins.
The Open Face Chinese Poker game also underpins a lucrative Windfall Jackpot Sit & Go tournament. This enables you to win up to 100,000 times your buy-in via a $1 million prize fund, making it one of the most rewarding tournament structures available online in 2024.
These variants are featured among a huge and diverse selection of soft games too. These also include No Limit Hold’em games from $0.05/$0.10 and with stakes of up to $2/$5.
Pros
- Windfall Jackpot Sit & Go OFC tournament with $1 million prize fund
- Win up to 100,000 times your buy-in via this tournament
- Access Chinese Poker variants as part of a diverse games’ selection
- Find competitive buy-ins across all Chinese Poker tournaments
Cons
- There have been few recent software updates
4. Tiger Gaming – Provides the Best Poker Software and HUD
- Website: https://promotions.tigergaming.com/poker
- Poker Network: Chico Poker Network
- Established: 1999
- License: Curaçao eGaming License
- Main Chinese Poker Variant: Chinese Open Face Poker
Last on our list of the best Chinese Poker sites is Tiger Gaming. Launched in 1999, this established brand also operates from the excellent Chico Poker Network, which is the third largest that currently accepts both US and Chinese players.
Because of this, Tiger Gaming boasts peak traffic of around 4,000, offering excellent exposure to its Chinese Poker variants. Once again, Chinese Open Face Poker is the most popular iteration, with this underpinning several different cash games and tournaments.
Tiger Gaming also features extensive poker tracking and HUD software. So, it’s wildly popular among experienced and high-stakes gamblers, who can maximize their advantage over so-called “fish” at all times.
Pros
- Average traffic of 4,000 during peak hours
- Immersive iterations of OFC Poker are available
- Tracking software including HUDs, PokerTracker 4, and Holdem Manager 3
Cons
- The welcome bonus is lower value than some competitors
Comparison of The Best Real Money Chinese Poker Sites
Our recommended Chinese poker rooms have a lot to offer players. To give you an idea of the various poker games they offer and whether or not you can expect to claim a welcome bonus when you register, we’ve provided the following information.
| Chinese Poker Room | Poker Network | Welcome Bonus | Rakeback Offered | Open Face Chinese Poker | Pineapple Chinese Poker | Progressive Chinese Poker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoinPoker | Proprietary | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| BetOnline | Chico Poker Network | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sportsbetting.ag | Chico Poker Network | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tiger Gaming | Chico Poker Network | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Open-Face Chinese Poker Rules?
This game is contested by three players, usually in a ‘Windfalls’ tournament format online. It uses a unique scoring system, where points with a variable chip value can be accumulated by players after every hand. The chip value increases to unlock more points as the table level increases, while each player must build three optimal hands using a total of 13 cards.
Chinese Poker Card Combinations
There are three primary card combinations in most iterations of Chinese poker. Of the 13 cards usually dealt, three hands must be constructed: starting with two middle and top-rank five-card hands. Then there’s a three-card ‘bottom’ rank hand to be considered.
To win a game of OFC, your hand ranking must be higher than your opponent’s in the same row (see the image above). According to Open Face Chinese Poker rules, stakes in this game are known as points (or units), with a single unit representing a predetermined amount of money.
Players collect one unit from each opponent whose front, middle, or back hand is beaten by their own, corresponding hand. A 1-6 scoring method is typically used online, with three bonus units awarded to players who win all three hands against an opponent. This is known as a ‘scoop’.
In order to create a qualifying hand in OFC poker, your strongest (bottom) five-card hand must be at least as strong as your middle hand. The middle hand should also be at least equivalent to the three-card top hand, which is obviously a little more limited in its scope.
As OFC poker utilizes the standard poker hand ranking, the highest possible three-card hand you can build is three-of-a-kind (three Aces, to be precise). You cannot construct any type of straight or flush here. However, if your top hand does feature three-of-a-kind, you’ll have to ensure that the two five-card hands at least match this.
When you learn how to play Open Face Chinese poker, the back, five-card hand must always be your strongest. So, any poker hand can be constructed here, although this should ideally be as strong as possible if it’s to be eligible.
In OFC poker, royalties can be awarded for particularly strong middle or back hands. When it comes to the latter, you’ll earn two royalty units when you construct a straight. Conversely, you’ll be awarded 25 royalty points in instances where you’re holding a Royal Flush as your strongest hand. It’s important to recognize this as part of wider OFC poker scoring.
Chinese Poker Points and Scoring Explained
This leads us neatly to OFC poker scoring, which utilizes a unique system that has distinct point values. Here’s a breakdown of each one and how valuable they are to individual players.
- Hand Points – This is the most basic method of scoring. In this case, players earn points by directly comparing their hands with those of their competitors. Three points will be available per round, with the best front, middle, and back hand earning one point each.
- Royalties – As I’ve touched on, royalties are bonus points that are awarded to players who construct premium hands. The value of each hand combination varies, but I’ll touch on this in the next section of the guide.
- Game Points – These refer to additional points that players can earn if they win all three hands in a round. Qualifying players will receive three bonus points, although they could also lose the same amount if they are dealt a dead hand.
How do Royalties Work in the Chinese Poker Card Game?
When learning how to play OFC poker, understanding the impact of royalties is key. Royalty points are available across the front, middle, and back hands, while values will vary depending on the exact quality of each hand. Here’s a summary of how royalties are structured in OFC poker.
| Chinese Poker Hand | Top Ranked Hand | Middle Ranked Hand | Bottom Ranked Hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 66 | 1 | – | – |
| 77 | 2 | – | – |
| 88 | 3 | – | – |
| 99 | 4 | – | – |
| TT | 5 | – | – |
| JJ | 6 | – | – |
| 7 | – | – | |
| KK | 8 | – | – |
| AA | 9 | – | – |
| 222 | 10 | 2 | – |
| 333 | 11 | 2 | – |
| 444 | 12 | 2 | – |
| 555 | 13 | 2 | – |
| 666 | 14 | 2 | – |
| 777 | 15 | 2 | – |
| 888 | 16 | 2 | – |
| 999 | 17 | 2 | – |
| TTT | 18 | 2 | – |
| JJJ | 19 | 2 | – |
| QQQ | 20 | 2 | – |
| KKK | 21 | 2 | – |
| AAA | 22 | 2 | – |
| Straight | – | 4 | 2 |
| Flush | – | 8 | 4 |
| Full House | – | 12 | 6 |
| Four-of-a-Kind | – | 20 | 10 |
| Straight Flush | – | 30 | 15 |
| Royal Flush | – | 50 | 25 |
Chinese Poker Game Strategy Tips and Tricks
Regardless of your choice of the best Chinese poker sites, it’s important to play OFC variants strategically and based on an in-depth understanding of the rules. With this in mind, here are some OFC poker strategy tips and tricks!
Chinese Poker – Scooping Explained
As I’ve already touched on, ‘scooping’ refers to instances where one player wins each of the three hands that are dealt. According to the ‘6-1’ OFC poker rule, winning all three hands earns the successful player three bonus points.
Conversely, the system deducts three points from losing players, so being ‘scooped’ costs six times as much as losing just two hands in a single round. Some hands are more susceptible to a scoop (such as a straight with two or fewer pairs), and understanding this is key when structuring your hands.
Chinese Poker – Two Pair Strategy
According to the average distribution of OFC poker hands, two pairs account for 26.67% of all middle hands, and 9.61% of back hands. This certainly makes for an effective middle hand, as this must be superior to the three-card front hand and less valuable than your strongest back hand.
However, if you have two pairs outside of a straight or flush, it’s usually best to split the pairs. This is especially true if you have a high-value lower pair, which should ideally be positioned in the front hand. This is because high pairs in the front hand are incredibly valuable, whereas two pairs in the middle hand are only of average quality.
Chinese Poker – Hand Distribution
Interestingly, nearly 60% of all middle hands comprise one or two pairs. So, being able to appraise the quality of your two pairs and play them effectively is crucial to maximize your bankroll.
Typically, the average distribution values suggest that the front hand will contain a pair at least half of the time. More than 90% of all 13-card distributions allow you to place a pair in the front hand, but you should only do this when it doesn’t significantly weaken your other two hands.
Which is the Best Chinese Poker Site?
There’s no doubt that Chinese Open Face Poker is becoming increasingly popular and accessible in mainstream poker rooms. The same can be said for similar iterations of Chinese poker, such as ‘Pineapple’ and ‘Progressive’ Chinese poker.
Our pick as the best Chinese poker site is CoinPoker. After all, this operator combines low buy-in OFC Poker tournaments with a rakeback offer of up to 33%. It also offers extensive on-site poker tutorials, covering topics such as hand rankings and individual gameplay strategies.
- Rakeback offer of up to 33%
- Low buy-in OFC Poker tournaments
- Extensive poker tutorials for beginners and intermediate players
How We Rate Online Chinese Poker Sites
We use a highly methodical approach when reviewing the best Chinese poker sites. More specifically, we compare each poker room using fixed criteria. Each poker room is weighted fairly depending on how it impacts your experience when playing poker online.
The key criteria include the available range of cash poker games and tournaments, alongside real-time welcome bonuses and rakeback offers. Our reviews also consider the tracking software and HUDs used by sites (where applicable), alongside ‘soft’ factors like payment methods, licensing, and the quality of customer support on offer.
How to Sign Up and Play at Chinese Poker Sites Online
Registering with the best Chinese poker sites is relatively straightforward, even though the exact process varies slightly from one room to another. Here’s a step-by-step guide to signing up, using our number Chinese poker site CoinPoker as an example!
Step 1 - Visit the CoinPoker Poker Homepage
Start by visiting the CoinPoker URL (https://coinpoker.com/). Then, locate and click through the ‘Register’ button in the top right-hand corner of the lobby.
Step 2 - Complete the Simple Registration Form
You’ll then have to complete a simple, single-screen registration form. Here, you’ll enter your full name, email, and a secure password. You’ll also have to provide your real address and mobile number to verify your identity.Step 3 - Verify Your Email and Download The Poker Software
Now, you’ll be prompted to verify your email. Simply visit your account and refresh for new messages, then click on the secure link that CoinPoker has sent. Next, download the native CoinPoker software on your operating system of choice, as this is how you’ll access individual games and tournaments.Step 4 - Verify and Confirm Your Mobile Number
Finally, CoinPoker will ask you to verify your mobile number. To this, they’ll send an SMS to the mobile number provided. Simply follow the steps laid out in the message. At this point, your identity will be verified and you’ll be able to start playing real money games and tournaments!
Poker Resources and Training
If you want to learn more about poker and more universal aspects of gambling, ReadWrite has you covered with several comprehensive resources. These include:
Final Thoughts
Playing online Chinese poker can add a fun and unique dimension to your online gambling experience. It certainly unlocks interesting gameplay elements, especially when you wager at leading sites such as CoinPoker.
This site only launched recently, yet it’s already managed to attract many players looking for the best Chinese poker room. This is mostly due to its exceptional range of variants and the unparalleled quality of its tutorials. So, now that you know all you need to know about Chinese poker, we recommend putting your knowledge to the test at this reputable site.
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- The main CSOP tournament series guarantees $1,000,000 in prize money
- Low and high-stakes tables are always available, 33% Rakeback
- No KYC process, decentralized blockchain poker
Responsible Gambling
While poker may be a game of skill (and Chinese iterations are no exception to this rule), there remains the perennial risk of loss. This requires responsible gambling and bankroll management at all times. You must never wager more than you can afford to lose within a predetermined period of time.
However, if you do identify the early signs of addictive behavior, it’s important that you seek out help and guidance as soon as possible.
