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X-Poker Game Formats Explained: AoF, Mau Binh, Bombpot & More
X-Poker is not limited to standard No-Limit Hold’em. Clubs routinely run Pot-Limit Omaha, Short Deck, All-in or Fold, Chinese Poker (Mau Binh) and Bombpot tables. This page focuses on what makes each format distinctive inside the X-Poker environment and which ones are worth trying first. For the pure rules of Hold’em, PLO and Short Deck, see the separate poker rules & hand rankings guide.
NLH and PLO on X-Poker
No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO4, PLO5 and PLO6) form the everyday backbone of most clubs. The rules are the standard ones used everywhere: two hole cards in Hold’em, four/five/six hole cards in Omaha with the mandatory “exactly two from hand + three from board” construction. Rake is typically around 5% with a common cap near 3 big blinds, though exact structures vary by club.
What changes on X-Poker is mainly the field size and the agent-mediated banking. Tables are often softer than on the largest public networks, which is why many recreational and mid-stakes regulars prefer the environment. Full mechanical rules are covered on the rules page; here the point is simply that these core formats are available and run under familiar structures.
Short Deck (6+ Hold’em)
Short Deck removes the 2s through 5s, leaving a 36-card deck. The most important ranking change is that a flush beats a full house. Antes are common and the average hand strength rises, producing more multi-way pots and more aggressive post-flop play.
On X-Poker, Short Deck tables appear regularly inside active unions. Because the player pool is smaller than on the biggest apps, the games can stay recreational longer into the session. Players who already enjoy the format on other platforms usually find the transition straightforward.
All-in or Fold (AoF)
All-in or Fold strips the game down to a single decision: before the flop you either move all-in or fold. There is no regular betting, no post-flop play, and stacks are usually short. The format is popular with players who want fast, high-variance action without the complexity of multi-street decisions.
AoF tables on X-Poker are typically offered at micro and low stakes. Because every hand is an all-in confrontation, variance is extreme and bankroll requirements are higher than the nominal stake level suggests. It is best treated as entertainment rather than a long-term winning vehicle for most players.
Mau Binh (Chinese Poker)
Mau Binh (also known as Chinese Poker or Open-Face Chinese in some variants) is a arrangement game rather than a betting game. Each player receives a set of cards and must set them into a front, middle and back hand according to ranking rules. Scoring is based on royalties and the relative strength of each row against the opponents.
On X-Poker the pure arrangement version appears in clubs that specialise in Asian formats. It rewards memory, pattern recognition and disciplined setting more than traditional poker aggression. Players who already know Chinese Poker will recognise the structure immediately; newcomers should expect a short learning curve before the royalties and scooping logic feel natural.
Bombpot & other exotics
Bombpot tables force every player to put a fixed number of big blinds into the pot before cards are dealt, creating an artificially large starting pot. The rest of the hand is played under normal Hold’em or Omaha rules. The result is more multi-way action and larger average pot sizes.
Other occasional formats (mixed games, special ante structures, time-limited promotions) appear according to club preference. None of them change the underlying hand rankings; they only alter how the pot is seeded or how often players are forced to invest.
Which format to try first?
If you are new to club apps, start with regular No-Limit Hold’em or PLO4 at the lowest comfortable stakes. Once you are used to the agent banking flow and the table software, Short Deck is the natural next step for players who like more action. AoF and Bombpot are best sampled in small doses because of the variance. Mau Binh is worth a look if you already enjoy arrangement or Chinese-poker variants.
For current stake lists and which clubs run which games, check the main X-Poker overview and the clubs page.
FAQ
Does X-Poker have the same rules as other apps for Hold’em and PLO?
Yes. The core rules are standard. Differences appear mainly in available stake levels, traffic and the occasional promotional structure.
Is All-in or Fold a good way to learn poker?
No. AoF removes almost all post-flop decision-making. It is useful for variance and entertainment, not for building fundamental skills.
Why does a flush beat a full house in Short Deck?
With fewer cards, flushes become rarer than full houses. The ranking is inverted so that the scarcer hand ranks higher.
Where can I read the basic rules?
The full hand rankings and street-by-street mechanics are on the poker rules page.
Ready to try a format? Download X-Poker and join a club that runs the games you want. Adults only. This content is independent and is not published by the operator. Gambling involves risk of loss.
Heidy Tan J. — poker writer and club-app player
Heidy Tan J. is the name under which our author writes. She has played club-based poker apps since 2021 and X-Poker since November 2024, and writes about club-app poker in the Philippines, deposits and withdrawals via GCash and Maya, and player safety in private clubs. About the author and her experience.
Independent editorial guide — we are not the operator of X-Poker. This site earns from partner offers. Gambling involves risk; play only what you can afford to lose. Adults only.