Ah, Pusoy. Known to some as Chinese Poker, to others as “that game Tita always wins at during Christmas,” and to many as the great destroyer of friendships (second only to Monopoly).
It’s a game beloved across Asia and adored in Filipino households, where it holds its own identity—even though it often gets confused with Pusoy Dos.
The catch? Too many people are winging it with the rules. They’re mixing up Pusoy with Dos, with Texas Hold ’em, with—heaven forbid—even tong-its.
No wonder games end with everyone yelling “Foul ka na!” while lola just sits back smirking because she knows the real Pusoy rules.
So, let’s cut through the chaos. We’re busting the most common Pusoy myths, correcting the wrong moves, and (hopefully) saving your family reunions from another round of “Eh bakit sa amin, puwede ’yan?”
Myth #1: “Pusoy Is Just Poker Without the Chips”
Oh no, no, no. This is like saying karaoke is just reading lyrics out loud.
The Truth: Pusoy isn’t about betting. It’s about arranging 13 cards into three separate hands. Here’s the breakdown:
- Front hand (3 cards, weakest)
- Middle hand (5 cards, medium strength)
- Back hand (5 cards, strongest)
The trick isn’t to create one killer poker hand—it’s to balance three hands without messing up the hierarchy.
Pusoy rules demand that your back hand must be stronger than the middle, and your middle stronger than the front. Misplace just one, and boom: foul ka agad. Instant heartbreak.
Myth #2: “Any Order of Hands Works, Right?”
Oh sure, if you also believe pineapple belongs on pizza.
The Truth: The order is everything. Mess it up and you’re basically tossing your cards into the trash. According to Pusoy rules, the strict hierarchy goes:
Back ≥ Middle ≥ Front
If your front hand ends up stronger than your middle (say, a pair of kings in the front while the middle is just a sad high card), you’ve committed the ultimate sin: the foul.
And fouls don’t care how strong your cards are—you automatically lose. It’s brutal, but fair.
Myth #3: “I Thought a Flush Beats a Full House?”
Bless your heart. That’s not how any of this works.
The Truth: Pusoy sticks to classic poker rankings. Let’s put it in order for the record (and so no one in your barkada argues about it again):
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pair
- One Pair
- High Card
Here’s the fun part: your front hand can only be a high card, one pair, or three of a kind.
Don’t even think about sneaking a straight in there—instant foul. Your middle and back are where the real poker action happens.
Myth #4: “Scoring Is the Same Everywhere”
Sure, and every Filipino family sings Happy Birthday in the same key. (Spoiler: they don’t.)
The Truth: Pusoy scoring is not universal—it depends on who you’re playing with. Here are the most common methods:
- Unit Scoring: Compare hands one by one. Win a hand, get a point. Lose a hand, lose a point.
- Royalties: Special bonus points for showing off—like getting a full house in the middle or trips in the front.
- Scooping: Win all three hands against someone, and you might double your points. Cue evil laughter.
So, before you deal, make sure everyone agrees on the scoring system. Otherwise, you’ll spend more time arguing than playing.
Myth #5: “It’s All Just Luck, Anyway”
Wrong. That’s like saying chess is about who moves their pawn first.
The Truth: Yes, the shuffle decides your cards, but the arrangement skill decides your fate. Smart players know when to sacrifice one hand to secure two others.
They anticipate their opponents’ layouts, chase royalty bonuses, and build their strategy around balance, not just raw strength.
In short: good players play the cards. Great players play the players.
Myth #6: “I Can Still Rearrange After Declaring, Right?”
Ah yes, the “Oops, wait lang, redo!” move. Cute. Not allowed.
The Truth: Once you declare your three hands, they’re locked in. No reshuffling. No sneaky swaps.
If you realize you put a flush in the middle and a full house in the back? Too late. That’s a foul. Better luck next round.
Myth #7: “Pusoy = Pusoy Dos = OFCP”
Nope. That’s like saying basketball, volleyball, and dodgeball are the same because they all use a ball.
The Truth: Here’s the crash course:
- Pusoy (Chinese Poker): 13-card arrangement game. Ace is highest. Diamond (or club in Chinese tradition) is the top suit.
- Pusoy Dos: The Filipino shedding game where the goal is to get rid of all your cards first. The deuce (2) is king here, and the diamond still reigns supreme in suits.
- Open-Face Chinese Poker (OFCP): Modern twist where you lay cards down one at a time, face up. Perfect for people who love suspense.
They’re cousins, sure, but not interchangeable.
Myth #8: “Online Pusoy Lets You Use House Rules”
If only. Imagine the chaos.
The Truth: Online Pusoy—like on platforms such as GameZone—usually enforces standardized Pusoy rules.
No last-minute house tweaks, no “But sa amin ganito!” excuses. The upside? Consistency. The downside? Less room for your tito’s suspicious “bonus points” system.
Quick Reference: Common Mistakes vs. Correct Rules
| Mistake | Correct Rule |
| Pusoy is just poker without betting | It’s a 13-card arrangement game |
| Any order of hands is fine | Follow the Back ≥ Middle ≥ Front hierarchy |
| Flush beats full house | Poker rankings apply—full house beats flush |
| Scoring is universal | Scoring varies: units, royalties, scoops |
| It’s all luck | Skillful arrangement is the secret sauce |
| You can rearrange after declaring | Hands are final once declared |
| Pusoy = Pusoy Dos = OFCP | All separate games with distinct rules |
| Online follows house rules | Online play uses fixed standardized rules |
Final Thoughts: Stop Fouling, Start Winning
Pusoy isn’t just another card game—it’s a mix of skill, culture, and that one tito who insists he’s “never lucky” (but somehow always wins).
By learning the real Pusoy rules, you not only save yourself from endless foul calls but also unlock the deeper thrill of the game.
So, next time you shuffle up with friends or play online, remember:
- Respect the hierarchy.
- Score smart.
- Don’t blame luck—blame your arrangement.
Master these, and you’ll stop being the “foul magnet” of the group and start being the player everyone secretly dreads. And honestly? That’s when Pusoy becomes the most fun.
