What Are the Most Popular Asian Card Games?

Card games can be found in all corners of the earth and, although they seem to vary greatly, they also have a lot of things in common. Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world now, thanks to the internet, and it is spreading east after having already dominated the west. But, perhaps, the main reason why it is able to find success in Asia is because there are already a few card games there that share a lot of similarities with poker. Here are two great Asian card games, and an explanation of how they have helped pave the way for mass poker adoption in Asia.

Teen Patti

Teen Patti is one of the most popular card games in India, and its influence has been able to spread far and wide recently thanks to the internet. This has been because a lot of people have noticed its similarities with poker, meaning that it appeals to players of the latter who are looking for a change. However, this game should not be confused with Knock-Out Poker.

Teen Patti takes inspiration from games like three-card brag and poker and rose to prominence as a social activity at Hindu ceremonies, especially Diwali. This helped it to spread throughout South Asia as well. The great thing about the game is that there are a vast number of variations, meaning that it can be freshened up from time to time to keep players engaged.

In a standard game of Teen Patti, it is played between three and six players. Everyone has to put an ante down in the middle first, and then they are each dealt three cards face down. A round of betting follows, based on the hands that players have in front of them. The ranking of hands is done using the same names as poker. However, the order of value is slightly different. The best possible hand in Teen Patti is three of a kind, and this is followed by a straight flush and then a straight. Interestingly, a flush is of lower value to a straight in this game, whereas in poker, a flush is better.

Pok Deng

Pok Deng is one of the most popular social gambling games in Thailand. It is well known by this name in the Land of Smiles, but in international circles it is more commonly referred to as Lucky 9. This has been described as a combination of blackjack and baccarat. Because Pok Deng is partially skill-based, it has helped spark an interest in poker in Thailand.

During a game of Pok Deng, one player needs to take on the role of the banker. It can be played by three to nine other players, with each of them facing off against the banker, similar to how blackjack is played. Before each round, players place their bets. Then the banker deals out two cards to each player including themselves. Players then have the option to stick with what they have been dealt, or they can opt to receive one more card.

Hands have a numerical value between one and nine. If a player's starting hand equals eight or nine, they have to say "Pok" to announce that they have it. Then they will receive returns on their bet immediately. The hand value is based on the sum of the cards, taking the digit in the ones place. For example, a four and a 10 would equal four, not fourteen.

Mahjong

One of the most popular and ancient games from Asia, Mahjong is a game of skill, strategy, and calculation that has been enjoyed for centuries. Originating in China, this tile-based game has players draw and discard tiles to form specific sets or combinations. While it may seem complex at first, it's an incredibly rewarding and strategic game once you get the hang of it. Mahjong has gained international recognition and can be played both in person or online. You can try your hand at different versions of Mahjong or you can play it online.

How These Games Paved the Way for Poker in the Continent

During the poker boom, Texas Hold'em rose to prominence in the USA and Europe, but it failed to have the same impact in Asia in the 2000s. This was mainly due to the fact that the internet wasn't as accessible in the eastern continent at the time, and the prevalence of the online world has only grown over the last decade in those regions.

Now that internet is more widespread in Asian countries like India, the interest in poker has shot up massively. There is such a vast number of poker operators targeting people in the country that players need to use sites like asiabet.org in order to find the best games that suit them. From there, they can choose between different strains such as 3 card poker and Caribbean stud, and also see where the best welcome offers are for new players.

The fact that both Teen Patti and Pok Deng require skill and mathematical ability means that people who started out playing those games are prepared for poker. It's no surprise that the gameplay of Texas Hold'em also appeals to these people, as similar levels of excitement can be found in each.

With poker being so much more accessible nowadays thanks to the internet, these classic Asian card games could soon be replaced with poker in the region. There are already a few professional poker players emerging from Asia, and there will likely be many more in the future.