The first time you play Chinese Poker, it will be chaotic.
It’s a 13-card poker game with no betting, no flop; no turn, and no river card to bail you out. Just a bunch of cards and silence…and you have to turn those cards into three real poker hands.
If you have ever felt lost while playing Pusoy or Mau Binh, you’re not alone. Everyone does at first. Once you learn the structure of the game — and more importantly, the logic of structuring your hands — Chinese Poker will become one of the most rewarding poker variations available.
The niche Asian poker formats are often not about bluffing; it’s about discipline. It rewards good planning, balance, and avoiding mistakes more than fancy plays. So let’s dive in.
What Is Chinese Poker?
Chinese Poker (also known as Pusoy in the Philippines and Mau Binh in Vietnam) is played using a standard 52-card deck and typically 2-4 players.
Each player receives 13 cards and must arrange the cards into three separate poker hand hierarchies:
- Back Hand (5 cards): The strongest of the three hands.
- Middle Hand (5 cards): A medium-strength hand.
- Front Hand (3 cards): The weakest of the three hands.
There are no betting rounds after the players arrange their cards. Players then reveal their hands and compare each of the three rows.
Players receive points for the number of rows they win.
That is it. It may seem simple, however, executing the game is far from simple.
The One Rule That Determines If You Win Or Lose Before Even Scoring Begins
There is one rule that determines whether you win or lose before you even begin scoring:
- Your back hand must be stronger than your middle hand.
- Your middle hand must be stronger than your front hand.
Back > Middle > Front.
If you violate this sequence, you foul (dead hand). When you do, you immediately lose to every other player.
Most beginners get caught up in creating a monster in the middle and forget the back hand needs to be the strongest.
Before you show your cards to anyone, always double-check your hand sequence. All seasoned players do.
Hand Rankings in Chinese Poker
As mentioned earlier, hand rankings are the same as in regular poker for the five-card hand:
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pair
- One Pair
- High Card
For the front hand (three cards), hand rankings are simplified:
- Three of a Kind
- One Pair
- High Card
That is it. Unless house rules state otherwise, there are no straights or flushes in the front hand.
How Pusoy / Mau Binh Scoring Works
Mau Binh / Pusoy scoring system is very straightforward.
Compare each row of your hand to each of your opponents’ rows:
- Win a row = +1 point
- Lose a row = -1 point
- Tie = 0
So, if you win two rows and lose one to another player, you are +1 versus that player.
Here’s the interesting part.
The Scoop (or Sweep)
If you win all three rows versus an opponent, that is called a scoop.
In most versions of the game, if you get a scoop:
- 3 points for the rows
- +3 bonus points
Total = +6 versus that player.
Scoops can completely flip a session. A single scoop can cancel out several smaller losses. This is why having a strong structure is so crucial.
Royalties (Bonus Points)
Many versions of Chinese Poker award additional points for premium hands, also referred to as royalties. These points are awarded regardless of which row you won that premium hand with.
One example of a royalty payout would look like this:
| Hand | Points |
|---|---|
| Straight Flush (Back) | 10 |
| Four of a Kind (Back) | 7 |
| Full House (Back) | 4 |
| Flush (Back) | 3 |
| Straight (Back) | 2 |
Middle hand royalties usually pay slightly less. Front hand royalties sometimes pay for trips or strong pairs.
However, here is the key:
Royalties are a bonus. They are not what you want to focus on.
Trying to create royalty opportunities and inadvertently fouling is one of the quickest ways to lose money in this game.
How to Set Up Your 13 Cards Wisely
This is where Chinese Poker separates the beginners from the winners. Here are some quick Pusoy / Mau Binh strategy tips to level up your game right from the beginning :
1. Build Your Back Hand First
Your back hand is your base. It should almost always include your strongest 5-card hand.
If your back continually loses, you’ll get scooped. And repeated scooping is brutal.
Build your strongest 5 cards first. Then build around that.
2. Don’t Overbuild the Middle
This is by far the most frequent mistake made.
You see a potential full house in the middle and go for it — but now your back hand is a weak flush or straight.
That is extremely risky.
The middle hand should be solid, but not so strong that it jeopardizes your back hand. Use a balanced approach, not a greedy one.
3. The Front Hand is More Important Than It Appears
Although the front hand only contains 3 cards, winning it can prevent a sweep.
A pair in the front hand is often quite powerful. Many players ultimately end up with only high cards in this area.
If your cards are weak overall, sometimes the smartest thing to do is protect the front hand so you don’t lose all three hands.
4. At All Cost, Do Not Foul
Fouling is one of the worst things that can happen to you during a session.
If you are unsure, opt for the safest possible hand configuration. High-end hands mean nothing if you violated the rules of hand sequencing.
Before you reveal your cards:
- Double check that your back hand is stronger than your middle hand.
- Double check that your middle hand is stronger than your front hand.
5. Know When to Play Defensively
If your 13 cards are mediocre or poor, your goals change.
Rather than attempting to win large amounts, your goal should be to avoid being swept.
Winning only one row can save you 5 points or more. Those points matter over the course of time.
Common Errors Made By New Players
- Creating a stronger hand in the middle than in the back
- Pressuring for royalties
- Neglecting the value of a sweep
- Rushing your hand configuration
- Downplaying the importance of the front hand
Impatience is punished in Chinese Poker.
Take your time.
Variations of Chinese Poker
Pusoy
Typically refers to the standard version of Chinese card game, where the entire hand is created privately prior to showing your hand to others.
Mau Binh
Has the exact same core rules as Pusoy. However, some regional versions emphasize automatic wins or larger royalty systems.
Open-Face Chinese Poker (OFC)
Entirely different experience than Pusoy, for example. Cards are placed face up one at a time. It introduces a psychological aspect and long-term strategic thinking.
Regardless of which version of the game you are interested in playing, be sure to ask about house rules — particularly regarding royalty awards and sweep scores.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pusoy / Mau Binh
Is Chinese Poker a form of gambling?
Yes, it can be played for money or simply for points. As with any card game, it is only considered gambling if money is wagered.
How many players can play Chinese Poker?
Normally 2-4 players. Four players is the most popular and creates the largest swings in the game.
What happens if I foul?
Normally 2-4 players. Four players is the most popular and creates the largest swings in the game.
Is Chinese Poker with high variance ?
Luck affects the draw of cards. Skill affects how well you arrange those cards. Over a period of multiple rounds, the skilled players will win more consistently.
Can you bluff in Chinese Poker?
No, you cannot bluff in Chinese Poker. Betting occurs only after all cards are laid down and revealed. Strategy revolves around the creation of your cards.
What is the single biggest mistake new players make?
New players are prone to over complicating their hand configuration and fouling. Keep it simple and clean.
Where to play Pusoy or Mau Binh online?
If you wish to play for real, in competitive games against real opponents, being careful is a of big importance. These are less popular games, played primarily by Asian players on niche platforms. Those are not popular for their integrity and trustworthiness.
Among the top choices is the X-Poker platform and the various Asian clubs on it. There is enough traffic at almost all times on variety of stakes.
Final Words
Chinese Poker seems easy. 13 cards. Three hands. No betting.
But it is a game of structure, patience and making smart decisions regarding where you place your strengths.
A strong back. A stable middle. A respectable front.
Protect yourself from sweeps.
Do not go after royalties recklessly.
Never foul.
At the moment that you cease trying to create the coolest hand possible and instead try to create the smartest hand possible, the game will change.
And when that happens, Chinese Poker will no longer appear to be a random event — but instead a controlled event.
That is when you realize you are truly playing it correctly.
