Oicho-Kabu is a traditional Japanese card game, often compared to Baccarat because they have many similarities. But not everyone knows how to play Oicho-Kabu, don’t worry, we will help you. For more information on how to play Oicho-Kabu, please read the entire article below by JILI7!
What is Oicho-Kabu?
Oicho-Kabu is a popular card game in Japan. In this game, players use Hanafuda cards, a traditional Japanese deck. The goal of the game is to have a total score closest to or equal to 9. Each card in the Hanafuda deck has a certain point value. However, if the total score exceeds 10, only the unit part of the total score is counted. For example, if the total score is 12, it is only counted as 2.
The Oicho-Kabu game is often played for entertainment, in meetings with friends, or in families. It combines both luck and tactical skills to win. Below, we will guide you on how to play Oicho-Kabu.
Detailed instructions on how to play Oicho-Kabu for you
Oicho-Kabu is often played with the traditional Japanese deck of Kabufuda cards. However, you can also use the Hanafuda deck, another type of Japanese deck, by removing the previous two months. For Western players, you can also use the classic deck by removing the cards such as Jack, Queen, King, and Joker. In which the Ace is counted as 1 point.
Before starting to play
Before starting to register to participate in the game, you need to know the decision to win or lose in case of a tie. When the player and the dealer have the same total points. In this case, the dealer can win or refund all bets.
In addition, the player needs to decide the maximum bet. The maximum bet is calculated based on the total points divided among all players. For example, if there are 5 players and each bet 10 points, the maximum bet will be 50 points. Any bets during the game will be deducted from this total until all players have placed their bets.
All players draw one card from the deck. This card is placed face down and is known only to the player holding it. The player with the lowest card is the dealer. All other players must sit opposite the dealer, in the order in which they drew their cards. Starting from the dealer’s right and moving to the left, or clockwise.
Next, the dealer will deal one card face down to all players. You can look at this card to deduce what might happen in the rest of the game. These cards do not participate in the main game.
Detailed instructions for playing Oicho-Kabu
The game begins when the dealer deals 4 cards face down to all players, regardless of what the cards are. Starting from the dealer’s right and moving counterclockwise. Each player can bet on any of the 4 cards in turn. Multiple players can bet on the same card, as long as the total bet does not exceed the maximum bet set before the game starts.
Once everyone has placed their bets, the dealer will draw a card and place it face down in front of them. This is one of the two cards that will form the dealer’s side later. The dealer can draw from the top, bottom, or fourth from the top of the deck.
The dealer will then draw four more cards and place them face down. All players look at the face-down cards, adding the values of the cards they have bet on to the face-down card next to them. The goal is still to get a total close to 9.
Should I Draw Another Card?
Each player is then asked, in counter-clockwise order, if they would like to draw a third card. Choosing to draw a third card will create a third combination with the cards that have been turned up.
If the total is 7 or higher, the player is not allowed to draw a third card.
If the total is 3 or lower, the player is required to draw a third card.
Once all players have made their decisions and completed their third combinations. The dealer will draw their second card. With all players and the dealer having completed their hands, all cards will be turned face down and counted.
Players with a higher total than the dealer’s total win. They are paid at odds of 1:1. Conversely, players with a lower total than the dealer’s total lose and do not receive their bet.