Playing 3 Card Poker: A Guide to the Rules, Useful Tips, and Effective Strategies

Three-card poker is a commonly played game in casinos , thanks to its straightforward learning curve and engaging gameplay. The objective is to create a superior hand to defeat the dealer. Before we explore the detailed gameplay, let’s briefly review the essential rules:

• The game utilizes a standard deck containing 52 cards.

• Players are required to place Ante and Pair Plus bets prior to receiving their cards.

• Every participant is given 3 cards and must choose to either continue in the round or forfeit their hand.

• To stay in the game, players must place a Play bet equal to their Ante wager.

• After all players have made their choices, the dealer reveals their hand to determine if they qualify - if the dealer reveals a hand lower than jack-high, they do not qualify.

• The dealer’s hand is then compared to the players' hands to determine the payouts.

If you’re curious about learning to play three-card poker but don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered; our comprehensive guide explains the game's mechanics , how to identify the winner, and the payouts you can expect when you triumph.

Starting the Game

Before cards are distributed, players are required to place a wager. There are two types of bets available at three card poker tables:

• Ante Bet: A bet signaling your confidence that your hand will surpass the dealer's hand. This is usually a mandatory bet to play a round of 3 card poker, although in some casinos, the Pair Plus bet alone can suffice.

• Pair Plus Bet: A wager that your hand will consist of a pair or better. This bet pays out irrespective of whether you beat the dealer's hand.

Once all bets are completed, the dealer will distribute three face-down cards to each table player. Additionally, three cards are dealt face-up in front of the dealer.

Gameplay

After the cards are dealt, each player must make a decision to either play or fold . If a player decides their hand is weak and opts to fold, they must surrender their hand and the dealer collects their initial bet. If a player chooses to proceed, they are required to place an additional bet known as a "Play\" wager , which is then positioned in the "Play\" area of the table .

In online casinos, Pair Plus bets are resolved at this stage of the game, given that their outcomes aren't dependent on whether the dealer qualifies. Winnings from Pair Plus wagers are determined by the strength of your hand. Below, we’ve provided a typical payout table for the Pair Plus side bet.

• Pair 1 to 1

• Flush 3 to 1

• Straight 5 to 1

• Three of a kind - 30 to 1

• Straight flush - 40 to 1

Winning Hands and Payouts

When all players have made their moves, the dealer reveals their hand. The dealer needs to have a hand of queen-high or better to qualify . If the dealer fails to qualify, the Ante wager is paid out at even money , but any Play bets result in a push.

If the dealer qualifies, player hands are compared against the dealer’s hand. Should a player hold a superior hand, both Ante and Play bets are paid at even money. In contrast, if the dealer's hand is stronger, the player loses both their Ante and Play bets.

The ranking of hands in three-card poker diverges slightly from other poker variants such as video poker . To clarify for you how to discern between winning and losing hands, we’ve compiled a guide showcasing the hand rankings from the weakest to the strongest.

• High Card - Three non-matching cards that are not in numerical order and do not share a suit (e.g. Kd8s7c).

• Pair - Two cards of identical value along with one extra card (e.g. AdAc9s).

• Flush - Three cards sharing the same suit in a non-sequential order (e.g. 3h8hJh).

• Straight - Three cards in sequential order, but of different suits (e.g. 7h8h9d).

• Three of a Kind - Three cards of the same rank (e.g. 7d7c7h).

• Straight Flush - Three cards of the same suit in sequential order (e.g. 9cTcJc).

Tied Hands

In situations where both the player and the dealer hold identical hand rankings, other cards are utilized to determine the winner. For instance, Player A has A-K-5 and the dealer has A-Q-6 . They both have ace-high hands, but since Player A's second card is higher, Player A wins. In cases where both player and dealer share the same first and second cards, the third card helps ascertain who wins the hand.

In cases of perfectly matching hands between the player and dealer, the result is deemed a push .

Ante Bonus

Some casinos provide a bonus on the Ante bet when a player triumphs with a strong hand. These bonuses do not require any further wagers , making them appealing to players. Furthermore, the ante bonus is rewarded regardless of the dealer's hand strength, so you’ll still benefit even if the dealer shows a jack-high hand or lower.

Below you will find an example of a typical Ante bonus payout table. Do keep in mind, however, that the payouts may differ depending on the house rules.

• Straight 1 to 1

• Three of a kind 3 to 1

• Straight Flush 4 to 1

Learning the strategy for three-card poker is remarkably straightforward , especially when contrasted with traditional poker games. There’s no need to engage in elaborate strategies or bluffing; simply follow these two rule guidelines, and you’ll be playing flawlessly:

1. Always play hands that are equal to or superior to Q-6-4.

2. Fold all hands worse than Q-6-4.

That’s all there is to it! You’ve just grasped the foundations of perfect three-card poker strategy. However, due to the inherent house edge, merely adhering to optimal strategy isn’t always a guarantee for wins. Hence, we encourage all players to enjoy the game for leisure rather than seeking profit, and to check our online casino reviews Canada to find reliable sites that promise a fair and enjoyable gaming environment.

While three-card poker and three-card brag are two closely related card games popular in the UK, they aren't exactly the same. To clarify the nuances between these two games, we’ve pointed out their similarities and differences below.

Similarities

Differences