Feng Shui, as defined by me, is putting things in places and doing things that create an environment for peace and prosperity. Is that the real definition? Hell I don’t know, but I do know some people that practice Feng Shui and they worry about whether the front door leads right out to the back door (which tells them that there money will do the same thing, go right out the door).
What does this have to do with poker? There is one game where putting things in the right place is the only thing you have to worry about Chinese Poker. It’s called Chinese Poker because it is a lot of fun to play while eating Chinese food. Really, try it.
Chinese Poker has taken off in my hometown of Phoenix. We can’t seem to get enough of it.
I will explain the game briefly. Two to four players are dealt 13 cards. Each player will construct 3 different hands, two 5-card hands and one 3-card hand. The great thing about Chinese Poker is that there is only one rule. Your back hand, which is five cards has to rank higher than your middle 5-card hand, which has to rank higher than your front 3-card hand. Players compare their back hand to each other’s back hand, then compare middle and front hands. You receive 1 point for each hand you win and the winner of the majority of hands wins an extra point. The most likely results are that you win or lose 4 points (a scoop) or 2 points. That’s it. Oh, one more thing, the game is much more interesting if you play for money. I have seen the game played for $1 per point all the way up to $2,000 per point.
Chinese Poker exercises a different poker muscle than most poker games your ability to recognize opportunities. Thirteen cards create so many different options to consider. Finding these options and weighing them correctly, are the only real skills needed to play great Chinese Poker. I believe this skill transfers over to real poker. Chinese Poker can open your eyes to all of the potential ways to play a regular poker hand.
I have seen Chinese Poker games break out after a regular poker game and go for 2 days straight. It’s a very addicting game. My belief about the game is that the Chinese military invented it so as to distract the U.S. from concentrating on our military operations. I think its working.
The best thing about Chinese Poker is that you cannot go on tilt.
What is the most important concept in Chinese Poker? I will explain next time I write.
