Front Hand [Meaning] - MasterTerms.com

Front Hand

A front hand in poker refers to the three-card hand that is played in some variants, particularly in games like Chinese poker. This hand is the weakest of the three hands typically formed in this game, with the objective of having the lowest-ranking cards.

The front hand is crucial in determining the overall strength of a player’s position in the game. In Chinese poker, players must arrange their 13 cards into three hands: a back hand of five cards, a middle hand of five cards, and the front hand of three cards. The player must ensure that the front hand is the weakest to be successfully played against the other hands. The rankings of these hands can significantly affect the scoring and outcomes of the game.

Front Hand Example

For example, if a player holds a 2, 3, and 4 of hearts in their front hand, this hand would be ranked lower than a hand containing a 10, Jack, and Queen of hearts. Therefore, a player strategically places their weakest cards in the front hand to maximize their chances of winning against opponents’ middle and back hands.