Poker is a card game in which players and dealers compare cards to determine who has the best combination. Due to their entertaining nature and challenging yet rewarding characteristics, poker games have been a common attraction at casinos worldwide.
Poker originated in the United States and had humble beginnings before evolving into a powerful game with numerous rules and versions specific to each country.
Tongits, Pusoy, and Pusoy Dos are just a few of the outstanding poker games that the Philippines has to offer. These games gained popularity due to their simple rules and strategic elements.
The prevalence of these games provided the Filipino people with an activity and a way to bond whenever they felt it was necessary.
GameZone, the leading card game developer in the country and licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, capitalized on this by creating the ultimate gaming hub platform, which presented a modern way to savor local or internationally recognized poker games.
Powered by strong ties with 13 other developers, GameZone boasts more than 1,000 games, including 86 under the category of poker. But beyond the help of those well-renowned game developers, GameZone also produced its own games specially made for Pinoy card lovers.
This aligns with the platform’s mission to share the culture of the Philippines with the world through its developed games.
A look at GameZone’s collection
To showcase the wide range of types of poker games that GameZone offers, here is an introduction to some online poker games you can enjoy. Included in this guide are poker game rules and gameplay.
Tongits
Three players typically receive 13 cards each in this popular Filipino card game, which uses a standard 52-card deck. The primary objective is for players to empty their hands of cards or, if that’s not possible, to have the fewest accumulative points from the remaining cards. This engaging game combines elements of strategy, memory, and luck as players strive to form melds (sets or runs of cards), manage their hands effectively, and outmaneuver their opponents. The gameplay involves drawing and discarding cards, with the option to pick up from the discard pile or draw from the deck.
Players can also choose to expose their melds, adding another layer of tactical decision-making. Tongits has gained widespread popularity beyond the Philippines, with various versions available on digital platforms like GameZone, which offers three distinct variations: Tongits Plus, Tongits Quick, and Tongits Joker, each providing unique twists on the classic game to cater to different player preferences and play styles.
Pusoy
Also referred to as Chinese Poker, Pusoy typically involves 2-4 players, each of whom receives 13 cards. Players need to arrange 3 sets of cards: front hand, middle hand, and back hand. The succeeding hand needs to be the same value or better than the earlier hand. In order to win, the players need to have the best hand among others.
Pusoy Dos
The local version of Pusoy differs from its Pusoy counterpart in terms of the value of each individual card and the gameplay. Similar to Tongits, Pusoy Dos necessitates the discarding of cards, but each new card or combination must surpass the previous The game will continue until one player empties their hands, at which point we will announce that player as the winner. Otherwise, the turn will end after everyone “passes” their turn. Based on the remaining cards, players will total their scores, and the lowest score wins. Pusoy Dos is available on GameZone under the same name.
Niu Niu
A well-known Poker Game played by 2-4 players, played with a standard deck of cards with a joker. Each player is given 5 cards; 4 are flipped over. Each player will place a bet, either double or equal in value. The goal is to have a better total number on the card against the dealer. GameZone carries two variations of the game: Multi Niu Niu and Niu Niu.
Texas Poker
Texas Poker follows the gameplay of Texas Hold’em, where it allows 2-3 players. Each player will receive two private cards and five face-up community cards on the board. Players can bet on four rounds: pre-flop, flop, turn, and river. The goal of the game is to have a better hand ranking compared to the dealer.
Other card games
Blackjack
1-3 players use an eight-standard 52-card deck to play blackjack, also known as 21. Each of the players initially receives 2 cards; they can ask for an additional one if they feel their card is on the losing end. The goal for players is to exceed the dealer’s total number of points without exceeding 21. Blackjack fans can enjoy the game’s excitement on GameZone under the same name.
Baccarat
Based on a well-known casino game, players use eight decks of playing cards, excluding the joker. Each player, including the banker, will receive two cards, and a third card will decide whether the dealer draws or stays. Players need to get a summation of cards to 9 or closer in order to win. If the total score is above the dealer’s, the player wins. GameZone’s own Baccarat follows the same rule as the original.
All of these free poker games are just a small preview of GameZone’s library of online poker games that you can enjoy with friends. Therefore, if you are a player of classic or offline poker games, you can definitely shift and transition to online gaming to reap the benefits.
Fusion of endless game offerings with promos and future tournaments
Along with the boundless number of games GameZone provides, the platform also features phenomenal benefits for its players. These promos and perks are exclusively available for its users to enhance their experience and contribute to the mission of forming a dynamic and positive ecosystem for online gamers.
In addition to offering promotions, GameZone could further enhance its offerings by consistently developing high-quality card games for its players to enjoy. Also, the platform wants to host events and tournaments to showcase card players’ skills nationwide. For sure, this kind of move will present an astounding chance for players to display their skills while also earning lavish rewards.