Chinese-Poker

This game requires a standard deck of 52 cards with two jokers, making a total pack of 54 cards. Each player is given 17 cards and the remaining three cards are left face down until the auction is complete.

The Auction
The first player who has been dealt will be eligible to bid first. The bidders have two options; they can either bid or pass. If all players pass there has to be a new deal. There are three levels of bid, 1, 2 and 3 and bidding continues until either the bidding reaches 3 or two players pass after a bid. The highest bidder becomes the landlord. The landlord will then pick up the last three cards so that he now has 20 cards.

The landlord plays first. She/he can use a single card or play any of the recognized combinations. Play moves anti clockwise where each player will have to beat the previous combination with the same number and type of cards or pass if they are unable to do that.

There are two exceptions. A rocket is able to beat any other combination and a bomb will beat all combinations except a rocket or a higher bomb.

The game goes on unless two players in a row pass. When this happens the cards that have been played are turned over to be face down and moved aside. Play resumes with the player who made the last combination. There are thirteen different combinations in Chinese Poker.

The Scores.
If the landlord finishes all his cards first he wins and the rest of the players pay him the amount he originally bid, either one, two or three units. This is if no bomb or rocket was used. If any other players get rid of all their cards then landlord pays each of the other players his bid. If anyone uses a bomb or a rocket the amount that has to be paid doubles each time one is played.