How to Play Chinese Poker
Chinese Poker (Open Face Chinese / OFC) is played with 13 cards arranged into three hands: a 3-card top, a 5-card middle, and a 5-card bottom. Cards are placed face-up one at a time as they are dealt. Hands must be set in order from weakest (top) to strongest (bottom) or you foul.
The Three Rows
3-Card Front Hand
Must be the weakest of the three rows. Only pairs and high cards are possible (no five-card hands). Scored against opponents' top rows.
5-Card Middle Hand
Must be stronger than the top and weaker than the bottom. Full standard hand rankings apply.
5-Card Bottom Hand
Must be the strongest row. Your best five-card hand goes here.
Fouling
If your rows are set out of order (top stronger than middle, or middle stronger than bottom), you have fouled.
A fouled hand loses all three rows to every opponent automatically and typically incurs a penalty unit.
Scoring
Each row is compared head-to-head between players. Win 2 of 3 rows and collect a unit. Win all 3 rows (scoop) and collect a bonus. Special made hands (like a full house or better on top, or a straight or better in the middle) award royalty bonuses regardless of whether you win that row.
On SPN
SPN Chinese Poker supports 2-4 players. Cards are placed one at a time in the Open Face format. The platform validates rows before finalizing your board and calculates all unit scores and royalties automatically.