Do you know how to play Pusoy?
This is a popular card game in the Philippines. Filipinos often play this at family gatherings and social events. Alongside other card games such as tong-its and pusoy dos, Filipinos play pusoy during wakes while keeping vigil with the mourning family.
One can even say that learning how to play Pusoy card game is part of the Filipino culture. It’s easy to learn. However, mastering this game is more challenging.
You see, it’s not just a game of luck. It also requires strategy and skill. It gives Filipinos the perfect mix to keep them entertained.
This game is so popular in the Philippines that local online casinos, like Nustar game, offer multiple versions in their game libraries.
In this article, you’ll learn more about pusoy, how to play the game offline and online. You’ll get a list of valid pusoy plays, tips to play it online, what a Live Dealer pusoy game is like, and various strategies to help you play to win.
How to Play Pusoy: The Game and Online Versions
This card game is simple enough that even a child can learn how to play Pusoy.
The truth is, the game follows a simple rule. You get 13 cards out of a 52-card deck. No jokers are used, and the cards are reshuffled after every round.
With 13 cards per player, this means one round has only 4 seats. Online games and live dealers may accommodate more players, but the traditional game seats only 4 per round.
The 13 cards that you’ll get will be divided into 3 hands:
- The Front hand gets three cards and is the weakest.
- The Middle hand gets five cards and has medium strength.
- The Backhand also gets five cards and is the strongest.
You cannot rearrange the strength of the hand (e.g., giving the strongest hand to the Middle) – that is called a Creak and will forfeit your cards for a round.
Once all the players have arranged their cards, they put them down one at a time, starting from the weakest to the strongest. All players show their Front hand first, then their Middle hand, and finally their Back hand.
Winners are declared every time a hand is shown. A winning hand gets +1. A losing hand gets -1. If a player wins on all three hands, they get double the prize money.
In online games, the winnings are calculated as follows:
(Final Points x Ante) x 95% = Win
Valid pusoy plays
If you want to learn how to play Pusoy, it’s just like Poker. You’ll be dealing with the same hands and similar rankings.
Here are the valid plays in a game of Pusoy from lowest to highest.
- High Card (follow the card rankings from lowest to highest: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace)
- One Pair (2 similar cards but different suits)
- Two Pairs (two pairs of similar cards but different suits)
- 3 of a Kind (3 of the same cards but different suits)
- Straight (5 consecutive cards)
- Flush (5 cards of the same suit)
- Full House (3 of the same cards and a pair of similar cards but different suits)
- 4 of a Kind (4 of the same cards but different suits)
- Straight Flush (5 consecutive number cards of the same suit)
- Royal Flush (10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of the same suit)
In the event of a tie, the suit ranking is used to break the tie. The rankings from lowest to highest are as follows: ♠️ < ♥️ < ♣️ < ♦️.
Here’s an example of a play.
Let’s say you get the following cards:
♠️: 4, 6, 8
♥️: 2, 8, 9, Q
♣️: 5, 7, 8
♦️: 2, 3, Q
Your hand could be:
2♦️2♥️ 9♥️ (One Pair)
3♦️ 4♠️ 5♣️ 6♠️ 7♣️ (Straight)
8♣️ 8♥️ 8♠️ Q♦️ Q♥️ (Full House)
There are also Natural hands where you automatically win the moment you get them. These include:
- All 13 cards have the same color or suit
- All number cards
- All picture cards
- Having cards with a value of 6 or higher
How to play pusoy card game online
If you want to learn how to play Pusoy card game online, choose games from popular developers such as Jili, JDB, and Spark Game. Look for games with the following features:
- Multiplayer mode, so you play against real players.
- Tournaments where you compete for local or global rankings and large rewards.
- Daily bonuses and promotions from online casinos provide added value.
You can also look for Pusoy versions that allow you to change your avatar.
One example you can play is Jili’s Pusoy Go. It has a clean layout that clearly displays your 13 cards. It has a drag-and-drop feature to help you arrange your cards conveniently.
Make sure you check out the game mechanics before you play. Sometimes, game developers use different point systems. Familiarize yourself with these to choose the right card arrangement and maximize points.
Live Dealer Pusoy
Online pusoy also comes with a live dealer version. This is a hybrid of traditional and online casino pusoy. You don’t get an automated version. The game is played with a live dealer and real players via live video streaming.
This version is slower compared to online casino versions. But knowing you are playing with real people from different places gives a different type of gaming experience.
Before you join a live dealer game, learn how to play pusoy online. This will help you practice playing in a digital environment.
Pusoy: How to Play to Win
Finding out how to play pusoy is just the first step. Once you know and understand the game, it’s time to learn how to play to win.
Here are tips to help you improve your game and achieve significant wins.
- Master the rankings. Be cautious of the hand strength for the front, middle, and back, or you’ll forfeit the round.
- Be strategic in arranging cards. Sometimes, you have to break a full house in order to get a win on all front, middle, and back hands. This gives you higher points and payouts.
- Learn to read players over multiple rounds. The longer you play, the more you see patterns and observe how your opponents arrange their gans. Pay attention so you know how to arrange yours to beat theirs.
- Play with patience. Don’t rush your decisions. Review all your cards and don’t hit that ready button unless you are confident with your arrangement.
- Enjoy the experience. Learning to enjoy the game allows you to stay calm and collected. It’s the best mindset when making decisions aboutyour cards.
- Try different games. This is the best way to learn how to play pusoy is to try different versions. Explore the classic game, try the live dealer, join tournaments, or play with AI. These will hone your skills and help you master the game.
- Start small. Choose the versions with lower stakes and a more relaxed pace. Get used to the game first before you opt for the high-stakes versions. Learn the different point systems so you’re more confident in how you arrange your cards to maximize your points.
Learn How to Play Pusoy The Smart Way
Learning how to play pusoy is not just about the rules, rankings, or different versions. It’s also about learning to play smart.
This takes practice and patience. Whether you’re playing with a group or you’re doing it online, there are strategies you can use to hone your skills. Arranging the best hand from the cards you’ve been dealt, observing patterns in other players’ play, and practicing patience are all required to master the game of pusoy.Of course, if you choose to play online, the platform you’ll choose matters. Go for online casinos like Nustar game. You’ll get a secure, trustworthy platform that upholds fair gameplay and supports visually appealing games. Visit their newsroom to learn more about the best games and promotions available.
