Rules variations

Writing a strategy blog for this game is pretty tough since there is no universally accepted scoring rules.  Some people use 2-4 scoring, while others use 1-6 scoring.  In addition, people score royalties differently as well.  Some use the high only royalty while others count all royalties and have them cancel each other out.  Currently, the app doesn't allow for positional placement advantage for starting hands (this should be added next week), so most people playing the app aren't strategizing starting hands according to opponents cards.  So, how do I write a blog that covers all these variations?  I guess I have a lot of material over the next several months.  Also, I would like some input or questions from you that I can answer in future blogs.

After talking with players from around the world who have downloaded the app, here are the three major rules variations I have seen.  I have included a screen shot of a hand below to illustrate the differences between the scoring systems.  I will do one scoring system each day.

Scoring system 1) this is the system on which I learned to play. It is also the one with the most variance and can have very big swings.  If you are a complete degen, this is the one for you.  Use the 1-6 scoring system with highest royalty wins.  So in the above example, here is how the scoring goes  before counting royalties: on the top line, martin(me) wins 1 pt from Ryan but loses 1 pt to John, for a net 0 pts for the top line.  In the middle, Martin wins 1 pt against both Ryan and John for a total of 2 pts on the middle line.  On the bottom, Martin also wins 1 pt from each for a total of 2 points on the bottom.  Net line scoring for Martin is 4 pts.
Ryan's top line results: loses1 pt to each of the other two players for a total of -2 pts.  Ryan's middle line results: loses 1 pt to Martin, but wins 1 pt from from John for a net of 0 pts.  Ryan's bottom line results: loses 1 pt to each player for a total of -2 pts.  Ryan's line scoring is a net -4 pts.
John's top line results: wins 1 pt from each player for a total of 2 pts.  John's middle line results: loses 1 pt to each player for a net of -2 pts.  John's bottom line points:  loses 1 pt to Martin but wins 1 pt from Ryan for a net 0 pts.  John's net line scoring is 0 pts.
Next is scoop points:  Martin scooped Ryan, so Martin is +3 pts and Ryan is -3 pts. John was not scooped and didn't scoop anyone.
Finally royalty points:  Martin has a full house in the bottom hand. Since the scoring is highest royalty only, the other players royalties do not count against Martin, so he is +6 pts from each player on the bottom line royalties.  Total of 12 pts in bottom line royalties.
John has a flush against Ryan, so John would get 4 royalty points from Ryan for his flush.  So John loses 6 pts to Martin, but wins 2 pts from Ryan for a net of -2 in bottom line royalties.
Ryan loses 6 pts to Martin's full house and 4 pts to john's flush for a total loss of 10 pts in bottom line royalties.
Martin also has a straight in the middle for another 4 pts from each player for middle royalty points for a total of 8 middle royalty pts.

There are no top line royalties this hand.
So our totals are:
Martin: lines 4 pts, scoop 3 pts, bottom royalties 12 pts, middle royalties 8 pts.  Total of 27 pts
Ryan: lines -4 pts, scoop -3 pts, bottom royalties -10 pts, middle royalties -4 pts.  Total of -21 pts
John: lines 0 pts, scoop 0 pts, bottom royalties -2 pts, middle royalties -4 pts.  Total of -6 pts

Middle and top hand play

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  I have been playing a lot on the app over the weekend, and have played against a lot of styles.  Today I am going to discuss the importance of the middle and top hand play.  It seems that people tend to focus on the back hand more because of the potential for royalties.  Although it is easiest to get royalties on the back hand, they still don't happen often enough to ignore middle and top hand play.  This is especially true if you are playing where only the top royalty gets paid.  Once you have most likely lost the back hand, you need to concentrate on minimizing damage.

For example, lets say you have four cards to the flush, but your opponent just made a full house.  Unless you are playing where you still get your royalty points for a flush, don't worry about making the flush.  Concentrate on what is best for your top two hands in order to avoid a scoop or win both middle and top hands.  So to continue with our example, assume your flush cards are hearts AQ94, middle hand has 87, and top has a 2.  Your opponent has a full house on bottom, 55 in the middle and  J on top.  Currently, you are in danger of a scoop, plus the royalty.  Your next card is the 8 of hearts. Most people would fill in their flush here, but I would put it in the middle to give you a pair of 88.  Your middle hand is now ahead and you still have any heart, A, Q, or 9 to improve your back hand and avoid the miss set.

Check back in tomorrow for some posting of actual hands I am playing against real people for $$$

Happy Thanksgiving! Play open face.

Thanksgiving is a time for family, good food, football, and......open face Chinese poker!  It may sound silly, but open face can be a great family game too. It is easy for kids to learn and fun for everyone to play.  With this family oriented holiday, I thought it would be fun to post some terminology and taunts from open face Chinese poker that you can use with your family.

Needling - teasing and poking fun at other players for bad play. But don't take it too far, especially with the kids.

Miss set city - when a hand is set illegally (also called fouling) and loses all lines to everyone plus royalties and scoop points.  It is a great needle to say "miss set city" to an opponent if they are close to or when they foul their hand.  Breaking out in song with "take me down to the miss set city" is especially fun.

Rangering - making risky plays that put you at risk for miss setting your hand.  However, if you don't miss set your hand, these plays can be devastating for your opponent.  Example:  putting QQ on the top line with only a K in the middle hand, so you need to draw one more K or you will miss set your hand.  If you do draw the K, you are rewarded with a 7 point royalty!

Luck box - when someone is making bad (or ranger) decisions, but keeps getting the cards they need, they are a luck box.  This can also be shortened to just box. Example: you are such a box.  Calling someone a box can help ease the pain of losing.

So take some time this thanksgiving to teach your family this fun new game.  It will be hours of entertainment in between football and food.  You may find you actually spend time talking with your family too.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Open Face Strategy

Welcome to my Open Face Chinese Poker strategy blog. Although this game is very new to the poker community still, I have been playing quite a bit with a variety of players.  Also, I recently released an iPhone app in the apple store.  Now that it is easy for everyone to play with other players from around the world, the strategy opinions should develop rather quickly. I will be updating this blog daily as well, so check back often for the latest Open Face Strategy discussions.

I will start today by talking about the differences between heads up games and multi-player games.  In general, you need to play more conservatively in multiplayer games.  Rangering (the circle of players I play with has named risky play for royalties in the top and middle hands) against multiple opponents can be very costly if you missed your hand.  When playing heads up, it is easier to recover from failed risky plays because you are only losing 6 points (plus royalties) against one person.

For example, starting card of Js, Jh, Ah, 5h, 8c
In a heads up match, I would be more likely to go for the flush and split up the pair of JJ.  So my back  starting hand would be Ah, Jh, 5h.
Middle starting hand: 8c
Top starting hand: Js
I chose to put the Js on the top because I already have one out and am unlikely to pair up, so I have a decent high card up top to start the hand with a better chance to pair in the middle.

In a multi-player game, especially 4 handed, I would set my hand like this.
Back hand: Ah, Jh, Js
Middle hand: 8c
Top hand: 5h
Playing the pair with a higher card in the back to start gives you a safe play with the possibility to improve to trips, two pair, or a boat.  You are more likely to win overall against 3 other opponents, although unless you hit your boat, you won't bet winning a lot that hand.

Good luck!