Open Face Chinese Poker, also known as OFC, is one of the most exciting poker variations. It’s a relatively young game, still evolving, and highly appreciated by many No Limit Hold’em players and high rollers.
The beauty of OFC lies in one key rule: there’s no folding. You must play every single hand — meaning you’re always in the action!
The Goal of the Game
Beyond simply winning your opponents’ chips, the ultimate goal in OFC is to reach Fantasyland. When you get there, you receive all your cards at once — a massive advantage and a near guarantee that you won’t bust.
There are several versions of OFC, including Pineapple, Progressive, Deuce-to-Seven, and Turbo.
Here are a few essential tips to help you improve your OFC strategy.
TIP #1 – Memorize Bonus Values by Heart
To become a successful OFC Pineapple player, you need to know all the bonus values by heart. In Fantasyland, decisions must be made quickly, and this knowledge will help you make the right ones.
Fortunately, there are a few easy tricks to remember these royalties.
Bottom Line (Back Row):
- Straight: 2 points
- Flush: 4 points
- Full House: 6 points
Tip: Multiply these numbers by two to know the bonuses for the Middle Line:
- Straight: 4 points
- Flush: 8 points
- Full House: 12 points
Add 2 extra points for a set (three of a kind) in the middle.
Less common bonuses on the bottom line:
- Four of a Kind: 10 points
- Straight Flush: 15 points
- Royal Flush: 25 points
Again, multiply these numbers by two for the equivalent middle line bonuses.
Important: A Four of a Kind on the bottom line lets you stay in Fantasyland, but it won’t get you there. Only QQ or better on the top line grants access in classic Pineapple.
Top Line (Front Row):
Bonuses start at 1 point for a pair of sixes, 2 points for a pair of sevens, and so on, up to a maximum of 22 points for a set of aces.
Two quick tricks to calculate top-line bonuses:
- For a pair, subtract 5 from the rank of your cards (for example, a pair of tens = 10 – 5 = 5 points).
- For a set, add 8 to the rank of your cards (for example, a set of tens = 10 + 8 = 18 points).
Numerical values to remember:
Jacks = 11
Queens = 12
Kings = 13
Aces = 14
Subtlety: When two players make the same hand (for example, both make a flush on the bottom line), one player wins 1 point for the higher hand, but both receive the same royalty points — for example, 4 points each — regardless of who wins the line.
TIP #2 – Understand How the Game Is Played
OFC has unique mechanics: the game isn’t played hand by hand, but in a full round called a “Set.”
- The game uses a button to determine player position.
- The player to the left of the button acts first in every hand, then play continues clockwise.
- A Set is complete only when each player has had the button once.
⚠️ The button doesn’t move during Fantasyland, because it’s considered part of the previous hand.
As a result, with three players, one Set can last much longer than just three hands!
TIP #3 – Learn How Scoring Works
Scoring in OFC is done sequentially, starting from the player to the left of the button. That player first compares scores with the next player clockwise, and then with the player on the button. Finally, the remaining two players compare their scores.
This order is crucial — just like in No Limit Hold’em, a player cannot win more than what’s in front of them. However, in OFC, a player’s stack is updated after each calculation.
Example:
Player A has 2 points and plays first against Player B.
He wins 10 points, but can only receive 2 (the amount he had).
He now has 4 points to play against Player C, for a maximum possible total of 8 points.
If a player loses all their points, they are considered all-in and must wait for the end of the Set before rejoining the game.
Read Isabelle “No Mercy” Mercier’s Ultimate Pineapple Poker Guide – Strategy, Rules & Tips
Final Thoughts
Open Face Chinese Poker is a game of calculation, precision, and timing.
By mastering these basic principles — especially the bonus values and scoring rules — you’ll gain a real edge over your opponents.
And when you finally reach Fantasyland, you’ll discover why so many pros and high rollers have fallen in love with this addictive poker variant.
You may also like this article: Why Chasing a Flush on the Bottom Line Is a Mistake in OFC Poker
