Chinese Poker is a unique and strategic card game that challenges players to arrange their cards into three separate hands, often referred to as the “three rows.” Mastering how to set these rows correctly is crucial to winning and maximizing points. This guide breaks down what each row represents and the key strategies behind arranging your cards.

The Basics of the Three Rows

In Chinese Poker, each player receives 13 cards, which must be divided into three hands:

• Front Row (Top Row): Contains 3 cards.

• Middle Row (Second Row): Contains 5 cards.

• Back Row (Bottom Row): Contains 5 cards.

Each row forms a separate poker hand, and the strength hierarchy follows a specific order: the back row must be the strongest hand, the middle row the second strongest, and the front row the weakest.

Front Row: The Three-Card Hand

The front row is limited to just three cards. Because of this:

• The best possible front row is three of a kind (trips).

• Pairs and high cards are commonly played here.

• Flushes and straights are impossible with only three cards.

Choosing which three cards go here requires careful consideration to keep the hand legally weaker than the middle and back rows while maximizing its strength.

Middle Row: The Five-Card Hand

The middle row contains five cards and should be stronger than the front row but weaker than the back row. It’s essentially a standard five-card poker hand.

• Players often aim for straights, flushes, or pairs here.

• It balances the hand by being moderately strong.

• Avoid making the middle row stronger than the back row, as that’s an illegal “foul” in Chinese Poker.

Back Row: The Strongest Five-Card Hand

The back row is the last five cards and must be the strongest hand of the three.

• This row typically contains the highest pairs, trips, straights, flushes, or even full houses.

• Since it determines much of the scoring, strong play here is essential.

• Overestimating this row’s strength can limit options for the other rows.

Common Mistakes When Arranging the Three Rows

• Fouling the hand: When the back row is weaker than the middle or front row, the entire hand is disqualified.

• Underutilizing strong cards in the front row: Players sometimes put weak cards up front, wasting potential points.

• Overloading the back row: Making the back row too strong can weaken the middle or front rows, costing overall points.

Strategies to Optimize Your Three Rows

• Always ensure the back row is strongest, middle row second, front row weakest.

• Aim to maximize pairs or trips in the front row for bonus points.

• Balance your middle and back rows with strong but not overpowering hands to avoid fouls.

• Practice and experience improve your judgment in card distribution.

FAQ

1. What happens if my rows are not in the correct order?
If the back row is not the strongest or the middle row is stronger than the back, your hand is considered a foul and usually results in an automatic loss.

2. Can the front row have a straight or flush?
No, because the front row only has three cards, straights and flushes are not possible.

3. How important is the middle row compared to the other two?
The middle row balances your hand. While it doesn’t usually score as high as the back row, neglecting it can cost you valuable points.