Pusoy or Filipino Poker, as some people know it, is an enthralling card game due to it requires a player to strategize, memorize, and even deceive their opponents. If you’re looking to broaden your horizons and learn the intricacies of how to play Pusoy, then you have come to the right place. This guide will provide you with the rules, strategies, and various aspects of this cherished Filipino game so that you can be ready to play against your friends or play competitively online through various platforms like Jiligames.
What Is Pusoy?
Pusoy or Filipino Poker is a widely known card game in the Philippines that requires strategizing, memorizing, and even bluffing. It is played at family gatherings, social events, and even tournaments as it is a blend of strategizing and luck, making it appealing to players of every tier.
Gameplay and objective
The main aim of Pusoy is to win by playing the highest-ranking hands. The game begins by each being dealt 13 cards, two sets of five cards, and one set of three cards. Each player reveals their hands from weakest to strongest, and the player accumulating the highest score at the end is declared the winner. The dominant strategy is how you divide your cards and forecast the actions of your opponents.
Origins and the Filipino version
Pusoy Filipino Version is a unique spin-off of the Chinese card games “Big Two” and “Pusoy Dos,” which is quite popular in the Philippines. Another unique rule has been added where players are permitted to ‘pass’ in certain rounds. It is well known because of the intense interaction it fosters between players and the excitement of beating one’s opponents.
How Pusoy differs from Poker
Pusoy is more versatile than Poker in many ways. The player’s hand consists of 13 cards, which offer many strategic possibilities in comparison to the limited hands available in Poker. In contrast to Poker, where players are betting for an ultimate hand, in Pusoy, a player’s set of cards is stacked into three hands that must be played in the predetermined order set before the game starts. It is also worth noting that a player’s ability to recall and observe in the game is tested more in Pusoy than in Poker, which has so many variants, as in Pusoy, the hands are shown one at a time.
Rules and Hand Rankings
To become proficient in Pusoy, it is fundamental to grasp the basic rules and hand rankings that the game offers. This part will explain in detail how to play the game, which includes shuffling the cards, the order of the hand combinations, and the point amounts associated with the hands.
How to divide 13 cards into 3 hands
In Pusoy, dividing your cards into three hands is important. You will need a three-card hand and two five-card hands. The general approach is to set your weakest hand first, followed by the middle-strength hand, and your strongest hand last. This builds momentum and adds great pressure to your opponents.
It is acceptable to assume this strategy if you have a potent three-card hand or two powerful five-card hands. These scenarios require strategy options to be adjusted on the fly depending on the cards dealt.
Strongest to weakest combinations
In Pusoy, the hands are ranked from strongest to weakest.
- The strongest hand is the Royal Flush (Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and ten of the same suit), followed in order by the Straight Flush (five consecutive cards of the same suit).
- Next comes Four of a Kind (four cards of the same rank) and then the Full House (Three of a Kind plus a Pair).
- Flush (five cards of the same suit) ranks lower than Straight (five consecutive cards regardless of suit).
The rest are Three of a Kind, which is the strongest of the remaining hands, then Two Pairs, One Pair, and lastly, the weakest hand is the High Card, which is determined by the highest valued card in the player’s hand.
In a Straight, the Ace serves as the highest and lowest card (e.g., A-K-Q-J-10 and 5-4-3-2-A).
Scoring and winning rounds
Points are calculated depending on how many of your opponents you score over in a given round. The player with the highest ranking hand loses points for every opponent he beats. For example, if 4 players are participating, the winner gets 3 points, which is equal to the number of other players in the game.
After all three hands, the player who achieved the highest points in the game is declared the winner. In the case where all the points are equal, the winner of the last round usually wins the overall game. Different variations of the game have other rules, for example, awarding bonus points for some powerful hands or applying additional penalties for weak hands, which complicates the game.
Knowing how to play Pusoy is not complete with learning the mechanics involved in the game; you also need to learn how to adjust strategies and tactically plan your every move. Here are some tips to enhance your strategic play.
Pusoy Strategies for Beginners
Mastering Pusoy, as with any game, requires an understanding of the rules, strategies, and the overall flow of the game. The following tips should help in further polishing your skills:
Planning your card split
In this step, you will have to arrange your 13 cards into three different hands, one with three cards and the other two with five cards. Always start with the highest grade cards, such as the Royal Flush or Full House. Use the strongest three-card winning set first, let’s say, a Three of a Kind. If planning to flop and stay, then you can do so, but if your cards are weak, save the rest for later. And, if you’re strongly feeling about a set of cards’ suits, never disregard suits as well.
Go for the flush if there seem to be several strong cards of a suit, while if there are weaker variants, aim for straight flushes. Whatever the case may be, always make sure your actions are backed by your cards and be adaptable to all scenarios.
Observing opponents’ hands
In Pusoy, watching your friendly accomplices is as crucial as managing the cards in your hand. Following the order of their play throughout the game and noting how the players, who push their strongest hand first seem to be ahead and the players who save it until the end seem to be cutting losses, try to predict what hands will be put down to get through such as Flushes or Straights and what their next moves will be.
Pay attention to the ranks of cards that have been played; a lot of high-value cards being played might indicate strong hands.
Managing risk and bluffing
Pusoy requires one to use strategic deception to reach an optimal outcome. Taking the best hand to get as many points as possible needs some aggressiveness. Losing one hand puts them in, an opponent may benefit from a more timid stance to reduce damage control. Bluffing makes them appear stronger, forcing others to play the best hands too early. Bluffing too much can result in making them predictable, and not bluffing at all limits free movement.
Shifting a guessing game’s strategy based on an opponent’s moves while balancing risk and bluffing is essential and requires constant attention to detail.
Want to try more Filipino classics like Tongits or Pusoy Dos? Check out our Card Games Category for more exciting options.
Why Play Pusoy on Jiligames?
Interesting pusoy skills can be taken to the next level on the site, as it is the ideal platform, having unique features and tools that can be used to increase your experience.
Real player lobbies
Additionally, Jiligames has active lobbies with players from all over the globe, enabling you to compete with other players all over the world. Players of different Pusoy skill levels from different parts of the world come and log into the lobby to try their skills against players of equal caliber. Whether you are a fresh novice user or an experienced player, the system’s advanced matchmaking on the platform guarantees that every game is fair.
Different Pusoy skill users from different parts of the world come and log into the lobby to try their skills and make friends. The lobbies are equipped with the potent chatting feature, which allows players to not only strategize and share ideas but also make friendships.
Free practice mode
In an endeavor to refine a beginner’s skillset or assist a novice, the platform offers complimentary practices where one can compete with AI. In this mode, you can try out different combinations and card splits and learn the game’s mechanics without worrying about losing any money.
Smooth betting with PHP wallets
Our site guarantees reliable and safe betting through its PHP wallet system. Funds can be easily deposited and withdrawn through bank transfers, e-wallets, or credit cards. The platform incorporates encryption technology to protect your financial data, which ensures the safety and convenience of the betting process.
Jiligames is a trusted online platform where Filipinos can enjoy classic games like Pusoy, Tongits, and more. Visit the Jiligames Casino to explore everything we offer.
Conclusion
Pusoy enthusiasts will undergo a skill-sharpening jamboree with other players on Jiligames. Want to start playing Pusoy and earn real rewards? Register now and enjoy a seamless experience on the platform, fast, secure, and made for Filipino players!
