Chinese Poker

Chinese Poker is a card game that has been played in the Asian community for many years. It has begun to gain popularity in the broader world of game players because it has all the features of a good gambling game:

• It is easy to learn. Anyone who knows the rank of Poker hands can begin playing after a few minutes of instruction.
  
• There is a large element of luck, so that a beginner has a real chance of winning, even against experienced opponents. Also, it is plausible for poor players to attribute bad results to their cards rather than their plays.
  
• There is still enough skill in the game that experts have a significant advantage when playing poor players.
  

Although it is basically a four player game, it plays well with 2, 3, 5, or even more players. It is fun to play. Unexpected results and interesting hands are common. You should be warned: many players find Chinese Poker addictive.

The Chinese Poker game is extremely popular in Hong Kong and parts of Southeast Asia, and is also played to some extent in the USA. It is also known by several different names.

• In Cantonese and Vietnamese it is called Sap Sam Cheung, which means 13 cards
  
• In Chinese, it is also sometimes called Luosong Pai Jiu, which I think means Russian Pai Gow. The game is indeed related to Pai Gow.
  
• In the USA it is often known as Chinese Poker or sometimes Russian Poker, but note that some people also use the name Chinese Poker to refer to the climbing game Big Two. In Hawaii it is called Pepito.
  
• In the Phillipines it is known as Pusoy, again not to be confused with Pusoy Dos, which is Big Two. Another name sometimes used is Good, Better, Best, referring to the three hands of a player