Indonesian poker games may seem different because of their local titles like bandarq, dominoqq, sakong, aduq and capsa susun, just to mention a few examples. Actually, their game mechanics are largely similar to popular poker games played in other countries, yet in some ways modified, to suit Indonesian players who have no other option but to play poker online. .
While there may be some underground casinos that operate poker rooms, they are illicit gambling joints, which when raided by local law enforcers will also punish casino customers caught gambling.
Bandarq is quite popular among Indonesian poker players because the game play and method of determining the winner follows the conventional 5-card poker hands such as 4-of-a-kind, royal flush, full house, flush, straight, trio and pair.
Yet not a few prefer playing aduq, dominoqq and sakong because in these games, winning hands are determined by the total score achieved by a poker hand. While tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings have an equivalent value of ten, a tally of the total score will simply add the value represented by the number cards.
Apparently, simply determining the winner based on scores is a faster way of completing each round of poker played online. Yet when it comes to the fastest way, sakong poker is the speediest, as the game issues only three cards to each player in every round.
How to Play Sakong Poker Online
A sakong poker table accommodates up to eight (8) players, while one or two of those players will act as dealers or table bankers.
Who Can Act as Dealer or Banker in a Game of Sakong
To qualify as the dealer of the game, one’s bankroll must meet the amount required by the rules of the online casino or poker room. If there is more than one dealer or banker, they take turns in assuming the role. While not playing as a banker, they play as regular sakong players in the same poker table.
A sakong dealer has great opportunities for raking in large sums of winnings; but they also stand to lose a great sum if his poker hand score is weak. Mainly because in sakong, all nad scores are played against the hand score of the dealer. If all players in the table have higher scores than the dealer, the latter pays all players based on the amount they staked as bet for that particular hand. Now if the opposite happens, or if all players fold their hand, especially if the dealer raises his bet while still playing blind, the dealer gets to rake in all bets staked on the losing or folded hands.
Initial Sakong Bets are Wagered at Blind Stage
All initial bets are wagered blind, which means players must place bets before they see the value of their 3-card hand. Now some sakong players or dealers can raise their bets once they get to see their hand-score; but before revealing it on the table for other players to see.
There’s a possibility that the dealer or other players are simply trying to bluff their way out of a bad hand, by making it appear that their cards achieved a hard-to-beat score. That way, other players will be forced to fold if they think their scores are not high enough. Some others will call the raised bet or the bluff; or even counter with a higher bet to intimidate both the dealer and the challenger/s. .
While there is no ante for a jackpot, players and dealers alike can win big by raking in all bets staked by losing players in each round.