Pusoy Hand Combinations: A Complete Guide to Chinese Poker Strategy

Among the many Filipino card games that fill living rooms, fiestas, and online platforms, Pusoy—also known internationally as Chinese Poker—remains one of the most strategic. 

While fast-paced games like Tongits and Pusoy Dos often dominate casual gatherings, traditional Pusoy offers something deeper: a balance of mathematics, risk management, and psychological play.

This guide will walk you through the complete system of Pusoy hand combinations—from the basics of building hands to understanding poker rankings to mastering advanced strategies.

Whether you’re a beginner exploring Pusoy online or someone brushing up for a competitive home game, this educational breakdown will give you the tools to play confidently and consistently.

What is Pusoy?

At its core, Pusoy is a four-player card game that uses a standard 52-card deck. Each participant receives 13 cards, which must be arranged into three poker-style hands:

1. Back Hand (5 cards) – This is the strongest hand and sits at the bottom of your layout.
2. Middle Hand (5 cards) – Must be weaker than the back hand, but stronger than the front hand.
3. Front Hand (3 cards) – The weakest hand, usually made of high cards, pairs, or three-of-a-kind.

The critical rule is simple yet strict: Back > Middle > Front. If you violate this order, you “foul” and automatically lose the round, regardless of how powerful your individual hands may be.

This structure makes Pusoy uniquely challenging. Unlike standard poker, where you focus on just one best hand, Pusoy forces you to spread your strength wisely across three.

Poker Hand Rankings in Pusoy

Since Pusoy borrows heavily from poker, players must understand the universal ranking system of poker hands. 

Below is a refresher, listed from lowest to highest:

• High Card—The weakest hand; the highest single card determines strength. Example: Ace-high beats King-high.
• One Pair—Two cards of the same rank (e.g., 7♠ 7♦).
• Two Pair—Two different pairs (e.g., 9♣ 9♥ + 5♠ 5♦).
• Three-of-a-Kind (Trips)—Three cards of the same rank (e.g., Q♦ Q♠ Q♥).
• Straight—Five cards in sequence, mixed suits (e.g., 5-6-7-8-9).
• Flush—Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence (e.g., A♣ 10♣ 7♣ 6♣ 2♣).
• Full House—Three-of-a-kind plus a pair (e.g., K♠ K♦ K♥ + 4♣ 4♠).
• Four-of-a-Kind (Quads)—Four identical ranks plus one kicker (e.g., 8♣ 8♦ 8♥ 8♠ + J♣).
• Straight Flush—A straight where all five cards are in the same suit (e.g., 4♥ 5♥ 6♥ 7♥ 8♥).
• Royal Flush—The strongest possible hand: A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit.

Note on the Front Hand

Because the front hand has only three cards, it can only contain:

• High Card
• One Pair
• Three-of-a-Kind

This restriction is crucial when learning how to distribute strength correctly.

Are Jokers Used in Pusoy?

In traditional Pusoy, jokers are not included. However, some variations introduce them as wild cards, which allow the creation of a five-of-a-kind—the rarest possible combination.

Example: 10♠ 10♣ 10♥ 10♦ + Joker.

If jokers are in play, their presence significantly shifts strategy, since hands like quintuplets can overpower even four aces. Players should confirm house rules before starting any game.

Scoring Systems in Pusoy

Pusoy’s scoring system may vary by table or online platform, but the most common rules include:

1. Point Per Hand—Compare each of your three hands with each opponent’s three hands. Winning one hand scores a point.
2. Scoop Bonus—Winning all three hands against a single opponent doubles your score.
3. Royalties—Special bonuses awarded for exceptional hands (e.g., straight flush in the back, trips in the front).
4. Fantasy Land (optional rule)—If you place QQ or better in your front hand, you qualify for “Fantasy Land” in the next round. This allows you to see all 13 cards face-up before setting your hands—a powerful advantage.

These scoring nuances make Pusoy more than just about survival. Sometimes, you may willingly sacrifice one hand in pursuit of royalties or set yourself up for a future advantage.

Pusoy Hand-Building Strategies

Now that we’ve reviewed the rules, let’s explore strategies for creating winning combinations.

1. Start with the Back Hand

Since the back is the anchor of your layout, prioritize making it your strongest. A full house, flush, or even quads in the back is worth more than scattering those cards across weaker straights.

2. Avoid Fouling at All Costs

The golden rule: never let your middle hand outrank your back hand, or your front hand outrank your middle. Even with powerful cards, one foul negates everything.

3. Spread Strength Across All Hands

Don’t overstack one hand while neglecting the others. A dominating back hand paired with a flimsy middle often leads to disaster. Think balance, not brute force.

4. Use Pairs Smartly

• Low pairs (2s, 3s, 4s) are often best suited for the front.
• Medium pairs (7s–10s) can anchor a middle hand.
• High pairs (Jacks, Queens, Kings, Aces) usually belong in the back.

5. Play Against Opponents, Not Just Your Cards

Observe how others set their hands. If you suspect an opponent has a weak middle, you can adjust your play to exploit it—sometimes by sacrificing the back in order to win two smaller hands.

Advanced Pusoy Techniques

Once you’ve mastered the basics, advanced play adds a layer of psychology and deception.

• Predict Fouls: If an opponent hesitates too long, they may be struggling to avoid a foul. Exploit this by strengthening your own layout confidently.
• Bluff with Table Talk: Light misdirection (“Ugh, bad cards again…”) can hide the strength of your back hand. Use sparingly.
• Trap with the Middle: A strong middle hand can catch opponents off guard, especially if they underestimate its value.

These tactics remind us that Pusoy is not just arithmetic—it’s also about mind games and timing.

Practicing Pusoy Online

Modern players don’t need to wait for weekend gatherings to sharpen their skills. Online Pusoy platforms allow you to:

• Play practice rounds anytime.
• Learn scoring automatically with built-in calculators.
• Explore variations like Pusoy Go or Pusoy Royale.

For beginners, online play provides repetition and instant feedback, making it the fastest way to develop instincts for arranging 13 cards efficiently.

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Pusoy

Pusoy is not a game of chance alone. It’s a puzzle that tests how well you can balance power, avoid fouls, and outmaneuver opponents. 

Each round is a new challenge: do you go for balance, chase royalties, or play conservatively?

By learning hand rankings, practicing thoughtful arrangement, and applying strategy across three hands, you can transform what looks like luck into consistent wins. 

Whether at a neighborhood table or on an online app, mastering Pusoy hand combinations ensures you’ll always play with confidence—and maybe even surprise your opponents with the perfect scoop.