What Is OFC Pineapple?
OFC Pineapple is a variant of Open Face Chinese Poker where each player still builds three hands from 13 cards—but instead of drawing one card at a time after the initial deal, they receive three cards and must choose two to keep and one to discard.
This speeds up the game while introducing more decision-making each round. Like standard OFC, there are no betting rounds—only placement, points, and scoring.
Basic Rules of OFC Pineapple
Game Format
Played with 2 to 3 players
Each player builds three poker hands from 13 total cards:
- Top (3 cards)
- Middle (5 cards)
- Bottom (5 cards)
Card Dealing and Placement
Each player is dealt 5 cards to begin the hand
Players place those cards into their top, middle, or bottom rows
On each of the next four turns:
- Player receives 3 cards
- Must keep 2 and discard 1
- Cards are placed immediately and cannot be moved later
Final hand contains 13 total cards: 3 on top, 5 in middle, 5 on bottom
Hand Placement Rules
Hand Structure and Requirements
- Top row: 3 cards
- Middle row: 5 cards
- Bottom row: 5 cards
- Hand strength must follow: Bottom ≥ Middle ≥ Top
Example of Legal Hand
- Top: Pair of Tens
- Middle: Two Pair
- Bottom: Flush
Example of a Foul
- Top: Pair of Tens
- Middle: Straight
- Bottom: One Pair
If a player fouls (misplaces strength), their entire hand scores 0 and all players with a Legal hand scoops the fouling player.
Hand Rankings in OFC Pineapple
Standard high-hand poker rankings are used. Players aim to make the best five-card hands in the middle and bottom, and a solid three-card hand up top.
Note: Straight and Flush doesnt count in the top hand, the best possible hand is three of a kind aces.
Scoring in OFC Pineapple
Basic Points System
- Win 1 row = +1 point
- Lose a row = -1 point
- Tie = 0
- Win 2 of 3 rows = win the hand
- Scoop (win all 3 rows) = +3 point bonus
Royalties (Bonus Points)
Players earn royalty points for strong hands in each row.
Sample Royalties
Top:
- Pair of 6s = 1 point
- Pair of 7s = 2 points
- Pair of 8s = 3 points
- All the way up to Pair of Aces which gives you 9 points
- Three of a kind 2s = 10 points
- Three of a kind 3s = 11 points
- Three of a kind 4s = 12 points
- Increasing all the way up to Three of a kind Aces which gives you 22 points
Middle:
- Straight = 2
- Flush = 4
- Full House = 6
- Quads = 10+
Bottom:
- Flush = 4
- Full House = 6
- Quads = 8
- Straight Flush = 15
Royalties stack on top of scoop bonuses.
Points system can vary depending on where you play. So make sure to check it before you start playing.
Fantasyland Rules in Pineapple OFC
How to Enter Fantasyland
To qualify for Fantasyland in Pineapple OFC:
- Place a qualifying hand in the top row (typically QQ or better)
- Complete the hand without fouling
What Happens in Fantasyland
- Player is dealt all 14 cards at once
- One card is discarded
- Remaining 13 cards are placed secretly into the board
- Fantasyland often comes with enhanced royalty or scoring rules
- Some variants allow double Fantasyland if top hand is quads
Fantasyland eligibility rules may vary by platform or home rules.
Where to Play Pineapple OFC Online
Real Money & Club Apps
- PokerBros – Offers OFC Pineapple in clubs
- PPPoker – Pineapple OFC in mixed-game rotations
- KKPoker – Private clubs with Pineapple formats
- CoinPoker – Occasionally offers OFC tables with crypto scoring
Play Money & Casual Apps
- OFC Live (iOS)
- Open Face Chinese Poker App (Android & iOS)
- Pineapple Chinese Poker HD
- Replay Poker (occasionally offers private OFC tables)
Final Takeaway
Pineapple Open Face Chinese Poker takes the core idea of OFC and makes it faster, deeper, and more exciting. With three-card draws and Fantasyland bonuses, the game rewards smart hand planning and careful placement. It’s easy to learn, challenging to master, and perfect for players looking for a change from traditional poker formats.
FAQs: Pineapple OFC Rules
What does "Pineapple" mean in OFC?
It means you receive three cards per turn and must discard one after placing two.
Can I move cards after placing them?
No. Once you place a card into a row, it’s locked in for the rest of the hand.
What’s the difference between OFC and Pineapple OFC?
In classic OFC, players draw one card per turn. In Pineapple OFC, they draw three and choose two, discarding one each turn.
Can I go straight into Fantasyland?
Yes, if you make the required hand in the top row (e.g., QQ or better) and do not foul.
Is there betting or bluffing?
No. OFC Pineapple is a point-based game with no betting or raising. It’s all about card placement and scoring.