OFC poker refers to Open-Face Chinese poker. This is the most popular variant of Chinese poker. The origins and subsequent popularity of OFC poker can be equated to the popularity of No-Limit Hold ‘em poker which is an offspring of Limit Hold ‘em but has become much more popular than the original game. OFC poker is an offspring of Closed Face Chinese poker but has become much more popular than the original game.
Well, the similarities between OFC poker and No-Limit Hold ‘em seem to end on the popularity front – and, the use of standard poker hand rankings. Other than this, the two games are very much different. So how to play ofc poker? Below, we are going to outline how OFC poker is played and in the same vein, highlight why its gameplay is different from No-Limit Hold ‘em and other common poker variants.
Basics of Playing OFC Poker
First things first, OFC poker is played by two, three, or four players. At the start of the game, each competing player is dealt five cards. All these are dealt with face up hence the reference to ‘Open Face’. These cards are dealt between three different hands which are: a 3-card top row, a 5-card middle row, and a 5-card bottom row.
The game is played in a clockwise direction. Whenever a card is placed, it cannot be moved. Players during the playing round are tasked with setting their hand one player after the other. The game takes place in eight playing rounds after which all competing players will have a 13-card handset.
Another key distinguishing factor between OFC poker and other standard poker variants is that there is any betting or raising involved during gameplay. Rather, during the playing rounds, players compete for points. Below we expose how these points are awarded to players at the end of the gaming session.
OFC Poker Points System
When playing OFC poker, players compete for points. The points are awarded in the following format at the end of the gaming session.
- Players win one point for having the better front/top row hand win
- The player with the best hand in the middle row wins two points
- The player with the best hand of the back/bottom row wins three points
- If one player wins all three rows (front/top, middle, and back/bottom), they scoop. When a player scoops, s/he wins three extra points.
*It’s important for players to also note that they win royalties (bonuses) for strong hands.
OFC Poker Hand Rankings and Rules
OFC poker does use the standard poker hand rankings. However, there are some slight differences that exist. These are as follows:
- When it comes to the front/top row hand, straights and flushes do not count
- The most relevant hands are high cards, pairs, and three of a kind
- If one player’s hand does not properly beat the other hand, the player will foul (mis-set). A foul will see the player forfeit his/her hand and in the process lose at least six points (when factoring in royalties, the player may lose much more). However, if multiple players foul, no points are won or lost.
Conclusively, it’s important to note that the back/bottom hand must be the strongest followed by the middle hand, and lastly, the front/top hand.