Guide to "Niu Niu" (Bull Bull) Card Game: Rules, Strategies, and Winning Tips

"Niu Niu", also known as "Bull Bull," is a fast-paced Chinese poker game that combines luck, quick calculations, and strategic betting. Popular in casinos and social gatherings, the game revolves around forming card combinations to achieve a "Niu" (a hand totaling a multiple of 10) and outscoring opponents. This guide covers the core rules, betting strategies, and tips to dominate the game.  

1. Objective and Basic Rules  

Goal  

- Create a hand where the sum of three cards is a multiple of 10 (Niu). The remaining two cards determine the hand’s strength. The higher the total of these two cards (modulo 10), the stronger the hand.  

Setup  

- Deck: Use a standard 52-card deck (no Jokers).  

- Players: 2–6 players.  

- Card Values:  

  - Ace–9: Face value (Ace = 1).  

  - 10, J, Q, K: 10 points each.  

Gameplay Flow  

1. Dealing: Each player receives 5 cards.  

2. Forming Niu: Players arrange their 5 cards into two groups:  

   - 3-card group: Must sum to a multiple of 10 (e.g., 7 + 8 + 5 = 20 → "Niu").  

   - 2-card group: Sum determines the hand’s rank (e.g., 9 + 6 = 15 → "Niu 5").  

3. Comparison: Hands are ranked by their "Niu" level (0–9). A "Niu 9" beats "Niu 8," etc. If no Niu is formed, the highest single card wins.  

2. Hand Rankings  

- Niu 0–9: The higher the number, the stronger the hand.  

  - Niu 9 (e.g., 3-card group = 10 + 10 + 10; 2-card group = 9).  

  - Niu 0 (no 3-card group sums to a multiple of 10).  

- Special Hands (regional variations):  

  - Five Small Bulls : All 5 cards ≤ 5, total ≤ 10.  

  - Bomb : Four cards of the same rank.  

3. Betting and Payouts  

- Ante: Players place initial bets.  

- Multipliers: Winning hands pay based on their "Niu" level:  

  - Niu 1–8: 1x–2x the bet.  

  - Niu 9: 3x the bet.  

  - Special Hands: 5x–10x (varies by rules).  

- Dealer vs. Players: In casino settings, players compete against the dealer. If the dealer has no Niu, all players win.  

4. Key Strategies  

Card Arrangement  

- Prioritize Niu Formation: Always check if a 3-card Niu exists before optimizing the 2-card group.  

- Avoid "Niu 0": If no Niu is possible, aim for the highest single card (e.g., K > Q > J).  

Betting Tactics  

- Aggressive Play: Bet higher on strong hands (Niu 7–9) to maximize payouts.  

- Defensive Play: Fold or bet minimally on weak hands (Niu 0–3) to limit losses.  

Probability Management  

- Calculate Odds: The chance of forming a Niu is ~32%. Adjust bets based on initial card strength.  

- Track Discards: In multi-round games, note played cards to estimate remaining high-value cards.  

5. Advanced Techniques  

Bluffing  

- Mimic confidence with weak hands to pressure opponents into folding. Effective in casual games but risky in dealer-based formats.  

Bankroll Control  

- 5% Rule: Never bet more than 5% of your total funds on a single hand.  

- Stop-Loss Limit: Exit the game if losses exceed 20% of your session budget.  

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid  

1. Overvaluing High Cards: A King alone won’t save a "Niu 0" hand. Focus on forming combinations.  

2. Ignoring Multipliers: Betting too low on "Niu 9" wastes profit potential.  

3. Chasing Losses: Doubling bets after a losing streak often leads to rapid bankroll depletion.  

7. Regional Variations  

- Five Small Bulls: Some versions reward this rare hand with 10x payouts.  

- Dealer Qualification: The dealer may need a minimum hand (e.g., Niu 4+) to play.