Chinese poker

Chinese poker, also Pusoy (but not Pusoy Dos or Russian Poker), is a card game that has been played in the Asian community for many years. It has begun to gain popularity elsewhere because it has many features of an "exciting" gambling game:

The rules are simple—only a basic knowledge of poker hand rankings is needed to get started.

There is a large element of luck involved, therefore a beginner has a good chance of winning in the short term, even against experienced opponents. Poor players may not be so easily deterred by losses as they can more easily attribute bad results to their cards rather than their plays.

More advanced players can still apply enough strategy to the game to give themselves a significant advantage over poor players.

The game format results in frequent unexpected wins and high ranking hands.

Only a few players are required to play the game.

Where played

Chinese Poker was played at the 1995 World Series of Poker and the 1996 World Series of Poker. In 1995, the $1500 event was won by John Tsagaris, and the $5000 event by Steve Zolotow. In 1996 the $1500 event was won by Gregory Grivas, and the $5000 event by Jim Feldhouse. There have been no Chinese Poker events at the World Series of Poker since 1996.

Chinese Poker is often played as a side game in large poker tournaments. Typical stakes are $25, $50 and $100 per unit. Some high stakes poker players are known to play as high as $500 or $1000 per unit. Some even go as high as $15,000.

The Venetian, Bellagio and Wynn casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada have been known to spread a Chinese poker game.

Variations

Low in the middle — In this variation the middle hand is played as a Deuce-to-seven low hand.

Criss Cross — This variation is played heads up: each player is dealt two 13 card hands and plays each of their hands against each of their opponents' hands. Players' hands are to be treated as two independent hands, they cannot exchange cards between the two hands.

In this variation The Wheel (A, 2, 3, 4, 5) is the second highest straight. Therefore it is ranked above a 9, 10, J, Q, K straight, but below a 10, J, Q, K, A straight.