7 Gambling games to play on Chinese New Year!

What's up people! 

Chinese New Year is a festive season celebrated by Chinese people worldwide. I may be half Chinese but I have to admit, Chinese New Year is my favourite festival! Why? Red packets (hóngbāo), family gatherings, lion and dragon dance and most importantly, gambling! Chinese New Year is celebrated until the 15th day which is also known as Chap Goh Mei. So, it isn't too late for me to post this! 

This post will be about 7 gambling games to play and commonly played on Chinese New Year. I've included short guides too. So if you have a friend who is a lone ranger on the couch each time you have a group of gamblers just because he/she doesn't know the rules, share this guide to them! 

1. Blackjack (21 points)

Blackjack is a common card game. It is easy to play, understand and win. All you need are basic mathematics skills and luck. Plenty of luck. This game can be played by up to 10 people at a time. You also need a dealer.

Here's how you play. A dealer gives you two cards. All you need to do is get 21 points on your first two cards (called blackjack), reach a final score higher than the dealer without exceeding 21 or let the dealer draw additional cards until his or her hand exceeds 21. So if you're at 3+5=8, you definitely need to draw another card to get as close as you can to 21. If you feel like settling down with 17-19, that wouldn't be a problem at all.

You are only allowed to draw 3 cards which brings you to a total of 5 cards added the other 2 initial cards on your hand. 

J, Q, K is counted as 10. Ace (A) can be 1 point or 11 points depending on rules set by your dealer. When gambling at home or outside of casinos, dealers can set their own rules and payout amount. For example, if you get blackjack, you can win double or triple your bet amount depending on the regulations set by your dealer. 

Normally, if Ace (A) is drawn as the third card, the amount would be either 1 or 10 and not 11. Any Aces (A) drawn after the third is only 1 point. If you have a total of 5 cards and summed up as 21 or less than 21, you win instantly.

2. Baccarat (9 points) 

Baccarat is easy. The dealer gives you two initial cards. All you need to do is to either stay or draw another card. In Baccarat, card 2 - 9 worth their respective value, 10, J, Q and King have no value point (worth zero) and Aces (A) are worth 1 point. 

So, your points are valued according to the rightmost digit of the sum of your cards. For example,  a hand consisting of 2 and 4 is 6, but a hand consisting of 9 and 6 is 5 because the number 5 is the rightmost digit in the combined points of 15. 

All you need to get is the highest possible value which is 9. When you get the value 9, stand up to win instantly. 

As always, payouts are set by dealers. So make sure you understand the payout terms before starting. Note, payout terms differ to Casinos.

3. Ngau or Gnau

I've just recently learnt this game and it's actually pretty easy. This game is quick which means win quick lose quick too. This game is originated in Malaysia. Ngau or Gnau is actually and "Ox" or something that is like Cow-ish. I don't know who came up with this name but I love this game.

10 is the maximum number of players including the dealer. The dealer will deal 5 cards to each person. This game is similar to Baccarat just that you need a so called "Ox" or "Passport".

Out of the 5 cards in hand, all you need to do is identify 3 of the 5 cards that sums up to a multiple of 10 which is 10, 20, 30. If you have 7+3+Q = 20 for example, you have an "Ox" or "Passport". The other two cards show how powerful your amount is. Now you have 20, so you are eligible to play. Assume the two cards are of 8 + 5, means the amount is 3 (rightmost digit of the combined number, 13). 10 is the highest value.

** Card 3 (red) and 6 (red) are interchangeable. Meaning, 6 (red) can be converted to 3 and vice versa so you can form a much more powerful number with variety of variations. 

Ace = 1

Aces (A) = 1

2,4,5,7,8,9 stays as respective values

10, J, Q, K = 10

3 (red) = 3 or 6

6 (red) = 3 or 6  

If you have no 3 cards that sums up to multiple of 10, you are ineligible to play that round.

Whoever has a higher value wins. You win double your bet amount if your other 2 cards are of the same value like 8 + 8. If you happen to get the Ace of Spade and a picture (J,Q,K only), you win triple payout. Lastly, you win five times your bet amount if all five cards have values of 10. 

4. Lap Lap Fu a.k.a Pia Pia Fu (Chinese Poker)

This is also one of my favourite game. If you know the poker hand rankings, you'll get this game easier. 4 is the maximum number of players allowed including the dealer.

Credit : Wikipedia

Each player gets 13 cards. Arrange the card according to your strongest poker hand rankings to the least strongest. 5 cards below, 5 cards in the middle and 3 cards on the top. Lets assume you have a full house, three of a kind and a double. Then the bottom most would be the strongest, full house, three of a kind in the middle and double for the top.

If this is your first time playing, watch your friends play for a few rounds before getting your hands involved. Here's a thorough guide to this game. Chinese Poker Guidelines.

5. Ketam-Ketam a.k.a Yu Ha Hai / Crown & Anchor

Ketam is ketam is sort of like a board game with dices. This game is based on pure luck. All you have to do is pick any combination or single "side" and put your bet on it. This game is similar to Bầu cua cá cọp in Vietnam, Yu Ha Hai in China and Crown & Anchor in America and Britain.

Credit : Kylie Anne

On the board of Ketam-Ketam, you have a picture of a Crab, Fish, Gourd, "Moon", Chicken and a Prawn. Just place a bet on any single one or combination. The dealer will then roll three dices. Instead of numbers, pictures of Crab, Fish, Gourd, "Moon", Chicken and a Prawn is used. So what ever that is rolled on the dice, that is the result. If the three dices rolled to a result of any of your placed bets, you win.

Payouts are based on your bets.


6. Gin Rummy (Mahjong Gin)

Credit : Shane Wong

I've been trying to understand this game for quite awhile now. I finally understand that Asian plays Rummy differently. Commonly called Gin Lami.

This game is played with tiles some sort like Mahjong tiles. I've been trying to find an online guide for the type of Gin Rummy we play in Malaysia for awhile now. This is the best I've found so far, Gin Rummy. So, a better way to learn is to actually sit beside someone playing it. The objective of this game is to achieve "Game" whereby you are able to deal all your tiles.


7. Mah Jong

Credit : Wikipedia

Truth be told, I know nothing about this game. Here's a guide on how to play Mahjong for those who are interested in learning this game.

Well, that's all I've got for this post. If you have any recommendations or whatever, leave it in the comments section because we wanna know your thoughts too.

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR AND HAPPY GAMBLING!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Don't forget to subscribe our Youtube channel too. Thank you for supporting awesome human beings haha. As always, be nasty stay happy!