Scoring
Before the hand is dealt, the players agree on what stakes are in effect.
This is always quoted in dollars per point. Then, after the hands are played, each player
compares his three hands against those of each of the other players, one player at a time.
In a four-handed game, therefore, each player will make three separate comparisons - once
against each of the other three players. The results of the comparisons depends on which of
several scoring systems is in use. We'll look at 2 variations.
2-4 scoring
2-4 scoring is used in Chinese Poker tournaments and is popular with
the Poker tournament crowd. In most cases these simple rules apply:
- A player who wins 2 out of 3 hands wins 2 points.
- A player who wins all 3 hands wins 4 points (a sweep).
These scoring rules are shortcuts derived from the general method of scoring:
- The player with the higher Back hand gets one point.
- The player with the higher Middle hand gets one point.
- The player with the higher Front hand gets one point.
- Bonus points, if any, are added to each player’s total.
- The player with the higher total gets an additional point called the overall point.
- The player with the higher total collects the difference between the two scores.
Here's an example: four players named A, B, C, and D have set their hands as shown.
We examine each of the six comparisons that take place and calculate the results.
(We will use the letter T to stand for a Ten.)
| Player A | Player B | Player C | Player D |
| Back | QJT98
straight | 22277
full house | JJ334
two pair | TTT88
full house |
| Middle | 99447
two pair | 45678
straight | 66559
two pair | QQ532
pair |
| Front | AAJ
pair | AK6
high card | KKQ
pair | AK6
high card |
A vs B: Player B wins the Back and Middle hands for two points. Player A wins the
Front hand for one point. B wins the overall point, making the final score 3-1, so B
collects 2 chips from A. SHORTCUT - the player who wins two of the three hands wins 2 chips.
A vs C: Player A wins all three hands (a sweep). She scores 1 point for each hand
plus the overall point, so she collects 4 chips from C. SHORTCUT - a sweep wins 4 chips.
A vs D: Player A wins the Middle and Front hands, while D wins the Back.
A collects 2 chips from D.
B vs C: Player B wins the Back and Middle; C wins the Front. B gets 2 chips from C.
B vs D: Player B wins the Middle; D wins the Back; the Front is a tie. B and D break
even.
C vs D: Player C wins the Middle and Front; D wins the Back. C gets 2 chips from D.
Final results: A wins 4, B wins 4, C loses 4, and D loses 4.
Notice that in each player's hand, the Back hand is the highest ranking, the Middle hand is next
highest, and the Front hand is the lowest ranking. This is required by the rules of the game,
as explained above.
1-6 scoring
1-6 scoring is common in the card rooms of southern California. In this system, winning 2 out
of 3 is worth 1 point and winning all 3 pays 6. In the example above, A would win 6, B would
win 2, C would lose 6, and D would lose 2.
Bonuses
In addition to the basic payoffs described so far, players may agree to pay bonuses for high
ranking hands. Typical bonus payments are:
| Straight Flush in Back/Middle Hand: | 4 points |
| Four-of-a-kind in Back/Middle Hand: | 3 points |
| Full House in Middle Hand: | 1 point |
| Three-of-a-kind in Front Hand: | 2 points |
Variations
Many variations of the basic scoring rules are possible. For example, certain hands may be
considered automatic winners or naturals. In southern California games, naturals pay 3
points and include 3 "straights", 3 "flushes", or 6 pairs. Other rare hands pay more.
Surrender is a scoring option in which a player agrees to throw his hand away and pay a
set amount to each opponent.
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