Open Face Chinese Poker (OFC): Rules, Structure, and Scoring
Author: Roman Shaposhnikov
Date: 12.01.2026
Open Face Chinese Poker (OFC) is a dynamic strategic poker variant where players do not bet but compete to build three strongest poker combinations from 13 cards across three rows. The game blends math, intuition, and excitement — especially in Fantasy mode.
Goal: Build Three Strong Rows
Each player arranges 13 cards into three independent hands, obeying the rule that strength must go from strongest to weakest.
| Row | Cards | Strength |
| Bottom | 5 cards | Strongest |
| Middle | 5 cards | Weaker than bottom |
| Top | 3 cards | Weaker than middle |
⚠️ Foul: If order is broken (middle stronger than bottom), the player fouls and opponents take all points for the hand.
How a Hand Plays Out
- Start: 5 cards dealt; place them across rows (e.g. 1 on top, 2 on middle, 2 on bottom).
- Next rounds: 3 cards dealt; place 2 face up, discard 1.
- Repeat until all 13 cards are placed.
After all 13 cards are placed, hands are compared row by row: bottom vs bottom, middle vs middle, top vs top.
Scoring
Points are awarded for winning each row plus Royalties for premium hands (quads, straight flush).
- Win a row: +1 point.
- Lose a row: -1 point.
- Scoop (win all three rows): +3 bonus points.
Fantasy Round
Qualify with QQ+ on top without fouling. In Fantasy you receive 14–17 cards and set all 13 before others. Re-enter with trips on top in Fantasy.
Hand Rankings
Bottom and middle use standard rankings. Top (3 cards): pair, trips, or high card only — straights and flushes from three cards do not count.
- Royal flush
- Straight flush
- Four of a kind
- Full house
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a kind
- Two pair
- Pair
- High card
Why OFC Is Popular
- Pure strategy: no street betting or bluffing.
- Fantasy adrenaline: huge swings in one hand.
- Constant tension: decisions until the 13th card.
- Flexibility: you choose which cards to keep or discard.
Try OFC in the NUTS club on PPPoker!
Join NUTS on PPPoker OFC tables and test your intuition and math in the most strategic poker format.