How to Play Open-Face Chinese Poker

Open-face Chinese poker, OFC, is a variation of traditional Chinese poker with no betting rounds and a system for scoring hands. It is played with two or three players and can be a very fast-paced game that requires excellent hand reading skills. It can also be quite a volatile game, so it’s important to play conservatively. If you’re looking for a fun new game to try, then OFC is the perfect option.

OFC is scored using points, similar to other card games like hearts or gin rummy. Players agree to play for a certain number of points and then place those cards according to the rules of the game. If a player makes a legal hand, they win the number of points that they agreed to play for. If a player cannot make a legal hand, they forfeit their points.

The most common version of OFC is Pineapple OFC, which features an additional rule that increases the speed of the game and makes it more action-packed. This rule adds a second deal after the initial five-card deal, with players receiving three cards and placing two and discarding one. This change allows for a greater degree of skill and helped push Pineapple OFC into popularity around the world.

Players in OFC can earn Royalty Points by making a pair of matching cards in their front and back rows. For example, a player can earn four Royalty Points if they have a pair of jacks in their front row and a pair of kings in their back hand.

In addition, OFC offers bonuses for good hands in each of the three rows. For instance, a player can earn up to two points for a straight in the bottom row, as long as it beats their opponent’s middle hand. However, these bonuses cancel each other out.

OFC is a very fast-paced game and a lot of information can be processed quickly. It is crucial to develop strong hand-reading skills and play conservatively. If a player tries to make too many risky moves, they can easily foul and lose all their points.

The best way to start playing OFC is to familiarize yourself with the rules and scoring of the game. This will allow you to make informed decisions on how to play your cards. It’s also important to practice your timing, as you will often need to decide on a quick response if your opponent’s hand is better than yours. A good tip is to always play your strongest cards in your top row, and your weakest cards in your middle hand. This will help you avoid a bad foul and keep your score high.