Open Face Chinese Poker (OFC)

Objective of OFC Game:

The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. The objective of Open-Face Chinese Poker is to create three separate poker hands (two five-card hands and one three-card hand) from the 13 cards dealt to each participant. To win, a player has to arrange the hands in a way that the front (top) hand is weaker than the middle hand, and the middle hand is weaker than the back (bottom) hand.

How to Play Open-Face Chinese Poker:

Card Dealing: Each participant receives a total of 13 cards face down. Players have to arrange their cards into three hands: the front hand (three cards), the middle hand (five cards), and the back hand (five cards).

Example:

Player A: A♠ 2♣ 3♦ / 4♥ 5♦ 6♣ 7♦ 8♥ / 9♠ 10♠ J♣ Q♦

Player B: K♥ Q♣ J♥ / A♥ 2♦ 3♣ 4♦ 5♥ / 6♠ 7♠ 8♣ 9♦ 10♥

Gameplay: Starting with the player sitting left to the dealer, players take turns placing one card at a time face up on any of their three hands. Once a card is placed, it cannot be moved. The back hand is placed first, followed by the middle hand, and finally the front hand.

Hands Comparison: Once all the cards are placed on the table, players compare their hands against each other. Each hand is compared separately against the corresponding hand of the opponent.

Scoring Points: Points are awarded based on the outcome of each comparison.

Determining the Winner: The player who wins two out of the three hands against an opponent receives one unit of "win" point. If a player wins all three hands, they receive an additional three units of "scoop" point. At the end of the game, the player with the highest total points wins.

Top Hands:

The top hands in an OFC Poker game are similar to traditional poker hands. The back hand is the strongest, followed by the middle hand, and the front hand is the weakest. The hands must be arranged in descending order of strength. For example - a flush in the back hand cannot be stronger than a full house in the middle hand.

Open-Face Chinese Poker Terms:

Every game has its own set of terms that are commonly used during gameplay. For a player who has just started playing OFC poker real cash games, understanding its terminology is essential for developing effective strategies. Let's explore some of the key terms used in the game:

Royalties:

Royalties are an important element of scoring in OFC poker that can significantly impact the outcome of a game. Royalties are bonus points awarded to players for achieving specific premium hands such as:

• Straight Flush: A straight flush is a hand where all the cards are in a sequential order and of the same suit. Achieving a straight flush in any of the three hands (front, middle, or back) earns the royalty bonus.
• Four-of-a-Kind: A four-of-a-kind hand consists of four cards of the same rank. It is a powerful hand in online OFC Poker and rewards players with royalties. Four-of-a-kind in the front, middle, or back hand generates a significant bonus.
• Full House: A full house hand contains three cards of the same rank and a pair of another rank. For example, three 9s and two Kings. Creating a full house in any of the three hands generates royalties.
• Flush: A flush hand consists of five cards of the same suit, but not in sequential order. Achieving a flush in any hand grants royalties.
• Straight: A straight hand contains five cards in sequential order, but they may not be of the same suit. Having a straight in any of the hands generates royalties.
• Three-of-a-Kind: A three-of-a-kind hand comprises three cards of the same rank. Having a three-of-a-kind in any of the hands earns royalties.

Royalties can vary in value depending on the specific rules being used in the game. Some variations may assign fixed point values for royalties, while others might have a progressive system where the point value increases with the strength of the hand. It is important to understand the specific royalty structure before playing to accurately calculate scores.

Fantasyland:

Fantasyland is a special privilege earned when a player sets their top hand with at least a three-of-a-kind in the front row without fouling. In Fantasyland, the player receives all 14 cards face-down in the next round, allowing for greater control and potential for big hands.

• Qualifying for Fantasyland: In order to enter Fantasyland, a player must have a valid hand of Queens or better in the top (back) hand when playing the previous hand. If a player achieves this, he is rewarded with the privilege of receiving all their cards face down in the next hand while their opponents play their hands in the normal open-face manner.
• Extended Time: When a player is in Fantasyland, they have an extended amount of time to set their hand as they have to arrange all their cards at once.
• Potential for making higher scores: Being in Fantasyland not only grants the advantage of seeing all the opponent's cards face up but also increases the potential for a higher-scoring hand. With all the cards face down, players have the opportunity to strategically set their cards to achieve premium combinations and earn bonus points.
• Continuation rules: To continue staying in Fantasyland from one hand to the next, a player must make a valid hand of Three-of-a-Kind or better in the top hand during their Fantasyland hand. If a player achieves this requirement, they will once again receive all their cards face down in the next hand.
• Breaking Fantasyland: If a player fails to make a valid hand of Three-of-a-Kind or better in the top hand while in Fantasyland, they lose the privilege and return to playing regular game in the following hand.

Fouling: Fouling occurs when a player sets their hands incorrectly, violating the rules of the game. When a foul occurs, the player forfeits their chance to earn points for that particular round. Fouling can have a significant impact on the outcome of the game, as the player receives a penalty for his action.

Dead Hand: A dead hand refers to a hand that is fouled or set incorrectly, resulting in the player's hand being disqualified for that particular round. The player receives zero points for that hand.

Set: Setting refers to arranging the cards in the correct order and position according to the rules of the game. Players must carefully decide how to distribute their cards into the front, middle, and back hands.

Position: Position refers to the order in which players take turns to set their cards. The position rotates clockwise after each hand. The later the position, the more information a player has about their opponents' cards and playing style.

Scooping: Scooping occurs when a player wins all three hands in a single round. Scooping allows the player to earn additional bonus points and gain a significant advantage over their opponents.

Back Hand, Middle Hand, Front Hand: These terms refer to the three separate hands that players must set in the game. The back hand consists of five cards, the middle hand consists of five cards, and the front hand consists of three cards. Each hand has its own set of rules and requirements for setting.

Point Structure:

The point structure in Open-Face Chinese Poker can vary depending on the scoring system being used. A common point structure is as follows:

• Winning – You get 1 point
• Scoop – You get additional 3 points
• Fouling - You pay a penalty of 6 points
• Royalty Points- You get bonus points for specific hand combinations

Types of OFC Poker Game:

One of the reasons for the popularity of OFC poker online is the wide range of variations available out there to play. Players can participate in real money Poker games online and win cash rewards. Here are some of the most popular variations of the game:

• Pineapple

In Pineapple OFC, the participants receive three cards instead of one in each round. They must set two of the cards in the front and back hands and discard one. This variation adds more complexity and strategic decisions to the game.

• Progressive

Progressive OFC introduces a dynamic scoring system, where points are awarded based on the hand strength of the player. Hands are ranked higher if they consist of premium cards, such as pairs or trips, and the point value increases as the game progresses.

• Turbo

Turbo OFC is a variation designed for players who prefer quick-paced gameplay. In Turbo, the time limit for each player to set their cards is reduced, increasing the pace and intensity of the game.

• 2-7 Pineapple

This variation follows the same rules as Pineapple OFC, with a twist. The goal in 2-7 Pineapple is to create the lowest possible hand, with aces are considered as high cards. The player has to form the weakest hand to win the game.

• Criss Cross

Criss Cross OFC is a variation where players must create two hands- a five-card hand in the middle and two three-card hands on the top and bottom rows. The middle hand must be the strongest, followed by the top and bottom hands in descending order.

OFC FAQs: