Learn Pusoy
by Gayle Mitchell
For this lesson at
Learn Poker, we
learn Pusoy Poker, also know as Chinese Poker. It is based on the game
of Pai Gow
Poker and played mainly in Asia and the Phillipines; however, many
international casinos offer the game.
The attraction is that unlike
pai gow poker, which seems to have endless ties and no winner, pusoy
offers a payout for each hand.
As you move through this lesson, you will find several references to
similarities and differences for pai gow poker.
Learn Pusoy - The Rules:
Hand
rankings from the top royal flush to lowly no pair are the same as most
poker games. Unlike pai gow poker, the joker is
not used in Pusoy and
A, 2, 3, 4, 5 is the lowest ranking straight.
Additionally, 3-card
straight and flushes have no value, therefore, 3 aces is the highest
‘front hand’ while 2, 3, 4 is the lowest.
The aim of casino players is to arrange 2 or 3 hands based on 13 cards
received.
One
of the hands, know as a ‘back hand’, consists of 5 cards. Another 5
cards forms the ‘middle hand’ and 3 cards for a ‘front hand’.
As with most casino games, players begin a poker round by placing their
bets on the assigned table area.
After the dealer shuffles and cuts the deck, the cards are placed face
down, one at a time until all players receive 13 cards.
Once
the player arranges his/her cards skillfully, the 3 hands are placed
face down in this order: farthest away is the back hand, the middle
hand and closest to the center is the front hand.
The pusoy rules
dictate that when arranging hands, each hand must be better than the
other as follows. Back hand better than middle and front hand better
than middle.
Should the player not follow this rule, their hand is disqualified,
known as ‘totyo’ and he/she loses double the bet.
You
are on your own when arranging your hands and cannot seek assistance
from the dealer or other players, unlike pai gow poker. You are also
not allowed to touch the cards or change your mind once the cards are
placed on the table.
Once all cards have been placed on the table,
the dealer reveals her/her hand, calls the wins and losses and pays or
collects wagers.
Learn Pusoy: The Win
The first 2 conditions below result in a win for the player:
1) If 2 out of 3 player’s hand beat the 3 dealer hands.
2) If the player’s 3 hands beat the 3 dealer hands, the win is doubled.
3) However, if the player’s 3 hands all lose against the dealers 3
hands, the loss is doubled.
In the case of #2 and #3 above that result in a double loss or win,
this is described as ‘pusoy’, which means zero.
The
frequent ties in pai gow poker discussed earlier are resolved in pusoy
with the dealer being the winner for any of the corresponding 3 hands,
back, middle or front.
Therefore, if both middle dealer and player hands are the same, the
dealer collects the player’s bet.
Learn Pusoy Strategies:
Similar
to pai-gow, it is best to separate two pairs. With a possible full
house, the 3 of a kind should be placed in a five-card hand and the
pair with the three-card hand.
If you find that it is unlikely you will take all 3 hands, your
strategy should be based on possibly winning 1 or 2 hands.
I use the terms great, good and weak hands to illustrate.
Can you arrange 2 good hands and a weak hand?
Arrange 1 great and 2 weak hands?
Arrange 3 weak hands as a last resort?
Or consider these variations.
Pusoy Variations: Surrender
Similar
to blackjack surrender, the player or dealer can forfeit their hand,
pay the single bet and avoid a possible double loss.
If should be
noted that this is an ‘early surrender’ for a player cannot surrender
once all three hands have been placed on the table. The players’ cards
are then discarded and not revealed.
Should the dealer surrender, only those players remaining in the game
are paid.
Pusoy Variations: Royalties
Alternatively,
should the player reveal a great hand immediately, it’s an instant win
and royalties are paid on their single bet.
These royalties are paid for a straight, flush, four-of-a-kind (quad),
or six pairs.
However, the player can choose to consider the strategy of arranging
the 3 hands and aiming for the double payout.
If you play pai gow poker, but prefer a fast-paced game that is not
slowed by ties, then your best bet is to learn pusoy.
Learn
Pusoy is followed by European Games starting with Baccarat
OR
How to
Play Poker 1 Program
OR
Learn
Poker Games 2 with 7 Game Types
Gambling
Teachers Home
GT is attentive about getting the word out about our free
programs, lessons and add-ons offered, however, we ask your assistance
and consideration in promoting us.
Click link below that reads, "Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward.
Here's how..." to add a link to your site, blog or personal page.