Taiwanese Poker Rules - Learn How to Play Taiwanese Poker
Taiwanese Poker is a point-based, card-setting game derived from Open-Face Chinese Poker. Played with up to 6 players, the game focuses on skillful hand arrangement and strategic play. Rather than betting chips during the hand, players compete to earn points, which are assigned a dollar value before the game starts.
Popular across Asia and increasingly played in high-stakes private games, its appeal is spreading fast. If you’re looking for a mix of creativity, risk management, and competition, this is a must-try game.
Let’s break down the rules of Taiwanese Poker and show you how to play this exciting game!
What is Taiwanese Poker?
Taiwanese Poker uses a regular 52-card deck, with each player receiving seven cards. These cards are then set into three rows, commonly referred to as Top, Middle and Bottom.
The challenge? You must arrange your cards into:
- A One-Card Hold'em Hand (1 card – lowest in strength)
- A Two-Card Hold'em Hand (2 cards – must be stronger than the front)
- A Four-Card Omaha Hand (4 cards – must be the strongest)
Setting your hands wrong is known as a foul, and is something to be avoided at all costs!
Then, a flop, turn and river are dealt out across the middle of the table. Hands are then scored against each other, with everybody's one-card hands up competing to be the best.
Get to grips with Open-Face Chinese before jumping into Taiwanese Poker!
Taiwanese Poker Points
Each matchup (Top, Middle, Bottom) is scored individually, with points awarded to the winning player(s) for each hand:
- One-Card Hold'em Hand (Top Row): one point
- Two-Card Hold'em Hand (Middle Row): two points
- Four-Card Omaha Hand (Bottom Row): three points
If you scoop an opponent and win all three hands, you receive an additional three points.
There are also bonus points, or royalties, for specific hand rankings on each of the rows.
| Hand | Top Hand | Middle Hand | Bottom Hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two Pair | +1 | +0 | +0 |
| Three of a Kind | +2 | +1 | +0 |
| Straight | +3 | +2 | +0 |
| Flush | +3 | +2 | +0 |
| Full House | +4 | +3 | +2 |
| Four of a Kind | +6 | +5 | +4 |
| Straight Flush | +12 | +10 | +8 |
All losing players pay the winning player for each hand based on the base point value plus any bonuses.
Taiwanese Poker Tips
1. Prioritize Balance Across All Hands
Avoid overcommitting strong cards to one hand. A lopsided setup can cost you more in lost points than you gain from a single strong hand.
2. Watch the Community Board Carefully
The 5-card community board plays a big role in all three hands. Think ahead and visualize potential outcomes for each hand position based on what's likely to come.
3. Respect the Bottom Hand Requirements
You must use exactly 2 cards from your hand and 3 from the board in the Bottom Hand. Misunderstanding this rule can result in invalid or weak hands.
4. Chase Bonuses Strategically
Sometimes it's worth building toward a hand that earns bonus points (like a Full House in the Middle), especially if you expect your hand to be strong against multiple opponents.
5. Avoid Fouling Your Hand
A “fouled” hand (e.g. setting a weaker hand above a stronger one) can cost you the entire round. Always double-check your hand order: Bottom > Middle > Top in strength.
Taiwanese Poker FAQ
How many players can play Taiwanese Poker?
The game is typically played with 3 to 6 players, though 4-5 is the most common for balanced scoring.
How do I win a round?
Win more points than your opponents by building stronger Top, Middle, and Bottom hands—and scoring bonuses when possible. You win points for each hand you beat per opponent.
What happens if two players tie on a hand?
They split the payout for that hand. If the points can't be divided evenly, the highest-ranking card (using suit tiebreakers) decides who gets the extra point.
Can I use the same cards in multiple hands?
No. You must use each of your 7 hole cards once, placing them in one of the three hands. No card may appear in more than one hand.
What if I accidentally mis-set my hand?
If your hands are out of order (e.g. the Top is stronger than the Middle), it's considered a foul, and you score zero for the round while still paying out to winning players.
What is the Scoop Bonus?
If you win all three hands (Top, Middle, and Bottom) outright in a single round, you earn an extra +3 bonus points from each opponent.
Do suits matter in hand ranking?
Normally, suits don’t affect hand rankings. However, they are used as tiebreakers when two hands are completely tied in both rank and value.
Can I play Taiwanese Poker online?
Some private poker apps or home game platforms may support it. It's most often played as a live, social game among friends or poker groups.
With thanks to Runitup for their helpful guide on how to play Taiwanese Poker