Best Chinese Gambling Games: Cards, Dice, and Some Ancient Magic

Chinese gambling games are some of the oldest forms of gambling in history. There are ancient Chinese games that date back centuries to the imperial period over 4,000 years ago.

Games like Sic Bo, Pai Gow Poker, and Chinese Poker are wildly popular even today. Luckily, you don’t need to go all the way to the country to try your luck at them.

Learn how to play the best Chinese gambling card and dice games and where you can find them online.

Best Chinese Gambling Games Overview

Sic Bo

Sic Bo is an ancient Chinese dice gambling game that was popularized in casinos in the 1960s. The game did not gain interest in the United States until the late 1990s. It shares similarities to craps, but players do not roll the dice.

How to Play Sic Bo

In Sic Bo, you are betting on the result of a dice roll. There are a variety of different combinations that Sic Bo players can wager on, including some bets with a very high potential return

For example, the each triple bet — 1, 2, 3, 4 or, 5 appearing on all three dice — wins $180 on a $1 bet. The each double bet is similar, but gamblers only need two dice to hit for a 10 to 1 payout. The 1:1 bet on a 1 or 2 appearing on any three of the dice is the simplest wager.

The number on the dice is the only thing that matters for Sic Bo gamblers. There is the option to bet on the number from all three dice, two dice, or one dice.

A quick look at the felt on a Sic Bo table will tell you everything that you need to know. It is well laid out and explains each type of payout, as you can see from my test at El Royale Casino above.

This Chinese gambling game is not available at every online casino. However, I found three variants at El Royale Casino, plus, the option to play in demo mode. Payouts on double bets were also above average at 11 to 1 odds, so this is our recommended Sic Bo casino.

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Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow Poker is a variation of Pai Gow. Traditional Pai Gow is also known as Pai Gow Tiles, and is played with domino-like pieces regarded as tiles. The gambling version of the game found in modern casinos doesn’t include tiles.

Instead, you play with cards and need to beat the dealer to win.

How to Play Pai Gow Poker

A Pai Gow Poker table typically accommodates up to six players. Each player at the table is dealt seven cards and must create two poker hands from them: one with five cards and one with two cards.

There is an L and H spot located on the felt in front of each player at the table. The second-highest two-card combination will be placed on the L. The highest-two card combination will be included on the H with the other three cards.

Both the low and high-hand must beat the dealer to win the game. If only one hand beats the dealer, then the game is declared a push and the player receives a refund.

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Pai Gow Poker side bets are available to bet, but not required. A bonus payout is paid for a straight (2 to 1), three-of-a-kind (3 to 1), flush (4 to 1), full house (5 to 1), four-of-a-kind (25 to 1), and so on. Some casinos offer a progressive jackpot, as well.

Try your hand at this popular Chinese casino game at El Royale Casino. The site offers two variants, betting limits of $1-$100, a free-to-play demo mode, and some of the biggest welcome bonuses in the industry that can reach up to $23,000.

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Chinese Poker

Chinese Poker is typically played between two to four players at a table. Since you’re playing against other players, there’s no house edge in the traditional sense. Instead, you pay rake to enjoy the game, as in classic poker formats.

Chinese poker is also known by several names, such as Open-Face Chinese Poker (OFC) or Pineapple Poker.

How to Play Chinese Poker

Each player at the table will receive 13 cards, and there are no community cards involved in the game. So, there is not a flop, turn, and river like most players are accustomed to in Texas Hold’em.

The player must arrange their 13 cards into three rows. Five cards on the bottom, five cards in the middle, and then three cards on the top. The best five-card poker hand is on the bottom, followed by the second-best hand in the middle, and then the worst three cards on the top.

If your 13 cards includes a flush and a straight, the five cards that complete the flush will be on the bottom. A straight does not beat a flush, so these five cards will go in the middle. The three remaining cards will be on top.

Each winning hand is worth 1 point, or 1 unit. Winning all three hands typically comes with a bonus of 3 points for a total of 6 points. Note that the hands must be compared against every player at the table.

Chinese Poker has more luck involved than games like Texas Hold’em and PLO. It is a good Chinese gambling card game for beginners who are not well-versed in complicated poker strategies and techniques.

With a good amount of recreational players, plus poker-specific promotions and ongoing tournaments for a variety of poker styles, you can try out this unique Chinese gambling game at BetOnline.

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What Are Your Favorite Chinese Gambling Games?

Now that you know the basics of how to play these popular Chinese gambling games and where to play, you’re ready to try your luck yourself. Check out our recommended online casinos for Sic Bo, Pai Gow Poker, and Chinese Poker.

Do you have a favorite Chinese casino game we haven’t mentioned? Share your top games in the comments and let us know if you’ve hit a big payday recently!