HOW TO PLAY 3 CARD POKER, casino game 3 card poker.

Casino game 3 card poker

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All three card poker tables offer two basic ways to play: ante-play and pair plus. Some tables also offer optional side bets. This guide will explore those in chapter four: three card poker options. You may choose whether to play ante-play, pair plus or both. Invented by derek webb of the united kingdom in 1994, three card poker has become the most successful of relatively new, trademarked table games.

HOW TO PLAY 3 CARD POKER

Invented by derek webb of the united kingdom in 1994, three card poker has become the most successful of relatively new, trademarked table games.

An initial trial run in las vegas brought mixed results, but three card poker then broke through as a popular favorite in the U.S. State of mississippi. Today, three card poker is a standard offering in live casinos and online casinos alike.

There are several reasons players like three card poker:

• It’s easy to play.


• It has a moderate house edge that gives players a shot to win.


• It has two ways to play, and you can choose a wager with frequent payoffs, a wager on which you can win up to 40 times your bet, or make both bets.


• You can improve your results through a simple, easy to learn basic strategy.

In this chapter, you’ll learn the basics of how to play three card poker.

THREE CARD POKER RULES

EQUIPMENT

Three card poker is played with a single deck of cards, shuffled for every hand. That’s true regardless of whether you’re playing in a live casino or online casino. In live casinos, the shuffling usually is done with an automatic shuffling machine. Standard blackjack-sized, seven-player tables are used in live casinos.

The table layout includes:

• The three card poker logo


• Three card-shaped spaces in front of the dealer to place his cards.


• A circular betting spot marked “pair plus.”


• A diamond-shaped betting spot marked “ante”


• A card-shaped betting spot marked “play.”


• Pay tables for the pair plus bet and for ante bonus payoffs


• A brief explanation of three card poker rules.

One corner of the table next to the dealer will have a placard that tells you the minimum and maximum bet. If it says “minimum ante: $5. Minimum pair plus bet: $5. Maximum $100,” for instance, your initial wagers may not be less than $5 or more than $100 on either option.

RANKING OF HANDS

Three card poker is based on stud poker, but odds are different when hands consist of three cards. Because the odds are different, the hand rankings are slightly different. In three card poker, straights are rarer than flushes and outrank them. In five-card games, flushes outrank straights.

That leaves the following ranking of hands in three card poker:

• Straight flush


• Three of a kind


• Straight


• Flush


• Pair


• High card

There is no such thing as a full house in three card poker, nor, of course, can you get four of a kind.

PROCEDURES

All three card poker tables offer two basic ways to play: ante-play and pair plus. Some tables also offer optional side bets. This guide will explore those in chapter four: three card poker options. You may choose whether to play ante-play, pair plus or both.

To play ante-play, you must start by placing a wager in the triangular ante space. To play pair plus, you must start by placing a wager in the circular pair plus space. The dealer then deals each player and himself three cards, face down. After all cards have been dealt, you may look at your cards.

If you are only playing pair plus, you need do nothing else. There is no additional wager or decision to make. If you are playing ante-play, you must decide whether to play or fold. If you play, you must make a play bet equal to your ante. The bet cannot be either larger or smaller than the ante.

They must be equal size. If you make the bet, or if you are playing pair plus and have a winner, place the cards face down next to your bet. If you do not make the play bet and you do not have a pair plus winner, place the cards in front of your bets to signal the dealer you are folding.

SETTLING ANTE-PLAY WAGERS

If you’ve seen your cards and fold, the dealer takes your ante and clears away your cards. Once all players have decided whether to play or fold, the dealer turns his cards face up. If the dealer’s hand is queen-high or better, the dealer plays. That means ante and play bets all are in action. In order to win, your hand must outrank the dealers. If you win, you are paid even money on both ante and play wagers. If you lose, the dealer takes both bets. If the dealer’s hand is jack-high or lower, the dealer does not play. In that situation, your hand does not have to beat the dealer. Antes are paid at even money. Play bets are not in action, and the players keep them. If the hands are exact ties, the hand is a push. No payoffs are made, but the player keeps ante and play bets.

Here are a few examples of how the hand could play out on ante-play wagers:

dealer hand	player hand	result
♦ Q ♠3 ♥ 2 queen-3-2 of different suits	♦ K ♠8 ♥ 6 king-8-6 of different suits	dealer qualifies; player has higher ranking hand and wins even money on both ante and play bet
♦ J ♠10 ♥ 8 jack-10-8 of different suits	♦ 9 ♠7 ♥ 3 9-7-3 of different suits	dealer does not qualify; player wins even money on ante and keeps play bet
♦ 2 ♠2 ♥ 3 2-2-3 of different suits	♦ A ♠K ♥ 5 ace-king-5 of different suits	dealer qualifies and has higher ranking hand, so takes player’s ante and play bet
♦ 2 ♠2 ♥ 3 2-2-3 of different suits	♥ J ♥ 9 ♥ 5 jack, 9 and 5 of hearts	dealer qualifies and player flush outranks dealer pair, so player wins even money on both ante and play bet

THE ANTE BONUS

Those who make the ante-play combination also have a chance at an ante bonus. You do not have to beat the dealer to win the ante bonus. It is paid anytime your three-card hand is on a pay table. The most common ante bonus payoffs are 5-1 on straight flushes, 4-1 on three of a kind and 1-1 on straights. There are other ante bonus pay tables, and those affect the house edge on the game. For details, see chapter 3-2, ante-play odds and strategies.

SETTLING PAIR PLUS WAGERS

You do not have to beat the dealer to win a pair plus bet. Any hand of a pair or better wins – that’s where the pair plus name comes from. There are many different pair plus pay tables.

Hand type	example	payoff
straight flush	♦ 10 ♦ 9 ♦ 8 10-9-8, all in diamonds	40-1
three of a kind	♣7 ♠7 ♥ 7 7 of clubs, 7 of spades, 7 of hearts	30-1
straight	♦ 10 ♥ 9 ♣8 10 of diamonds, 9 of hearts, 8 of clubs	6-1
flush	♥ K ♥ J ♥ 3 king of hearts, jack or hearts, 3 of hearts	3-1
pair	♠2 ♥ 2 ♣Q 2 of spades, 2 of hearts, queen of clubs	1-1

For other pay tables and a discussion of the house edge, see chapter 3-1. Pair plus odds if you have a pair plus winner, place the cards face down next to your bet. When the dealer turns cards face up after all players see their cards and ante-play players have bet or folded, he will pay you if you have a winner.

3 card poker rules: learn to play in less than 5 minutes

3 card poker rules:

Hot table game three card poker has gained popularity not only because it’s fun, but because it’s also easy to learn. Three card poker is like getting two las vegas casino games in one. Not only can you play against the dealer, you can also win based on how good your cards are.

The object of the game is to make the best poker hand possible with only three cards.

How to play 3 card poker

• To start, the player places an ante wager and/or a pair plus wager, betting that they will have a hand of at least a pair or better.


• Three cards are then dealt face down to each player and to the dealer. You are only playing the dealer and not other players at the table.


• The player will then look at his hand and determine to place a play wager (equal to the amount they put as the ante wager) to pit his hand against the dealer’s hand or not. Optimum strategy says the player should “play” all hands greater than queen, six and four and fold all hands worse.


• If a player folds, the hand is over and the dealer will collect the player's ante wager and pair plus wager. If the player places a play wager, the cards will be turned over to determine if the player has a better hand than the dealer.


• If the dealer has a hand of jack-high or worse, the play wager is returned to the player. If the dealer has a hand of queen-high or better, both the play wager and the ante are paid out at 1 to 1 if the player has a better hand than the dealer.


• If the dealer’s hand is superior, both the ante and play bets are collected. The pair plus bet is determined completely independent to what the dealer has.

3 card poker payouts:

The best thing about playing three card poker? The chance to win a $100,000 through the six card bonus paytable, which hits if the dealer’s and player’s cards combine nine through ace in a royal suit of diamonds.

Now that you're a three card poker pro, check out more "how to play" videos on texas hold 'em poker, blackjack, craps and roulette.

Three card poker

The three card poker is one of the oldest gambling entertainments in the world. It appeared at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. On our site, there is a free emulator of this game. It will be perfect even for those gamblers who do not have a lot of gambling experience. This can be explained by the maximum simplicity of the rules. In the classic version of this gambling entertainment, the user is required to guess the target card. A similar strategy is used here.

Rules of the three card poker slot

The main card in the three card poker game is an ace of hearts. The game starts with three aces appearing in front of the player. It is necessary to remember exactly where the card of the hearts suit is located. After that, the cards are turned over and moved around. If a player is attentive, it won’t be difficult for him to remember where the ace of hearts is.

When the cards stop, you have to determine which one of them is the ace of hearts. To do this, just click on the card. The round begins after you press the play button. In the upper right corner, there is a button using which you can turn on or turn off the soundtrack. The music playing during the game is nice, but if it distracts you, it won’t be difficult for you to create the suitable conditions.

At the bottom left part of the interface, there is a cell in which the best result is displayed. On the opposite side, there is an information block displaying the current winning. Once a player makes a mistake, the current points are canceled. The game begins anew.

Winning in the three card poker slot is incredibly easy. As already mentioned, the most important thing is being attentive. The user needs to monitor the movement of the cards. In this case, it will not be difficult to determine exactly where the ace of hearts is located.

Three card poker game

The three card poker game is a popular type of the legendary gambling entertainment. On our site, there is a three-card poker emulator, which will be appreciated by the most diverse categories of gamblers. The game is available for free and without registration. In it, the user can earn winnings with the multipliers of up to 40 to 1. The emulator is great thanks to its convenient management, a wide range of bets, and additional profitable features.

The user plays against the dealer. The game in poker traditionally begins with making bets. This emulator is no exception. Virtual chips are used to make bets. They are located at the bottom of the interface. The three card poker slot has chips of the following denomination:

• 0.01 credits;


• 1 credit;


• 5 credits;


• 10 credits;


• 25 credits;


• 100 credits.

The minimum bet is 1 credit. If a player makes a lower bet, it’s impossible to start the game. One of the bets is an ante. It is mandatory. An additional bet is pair plus. The player can decide whether he wants to make this bet or not. It involves increased payments for certain combinations.

After the sufficient bets are made, the distribution process can begin. This is done with the deal key. Then the player and the dealer get three cards each. After analyzing the obtained combination, the user can give up. To do this, a gambler has to press the fold key. The play button allows you to continue the game. In this case, the player and the dealer reveal their cards. The winner is the one who has a stronger combination on his hands. In the money cell, the balance of funds on the gambler’s account is displayed.

Winnings in three card poker

On the right side of the screen, there are tables that show payouts for different combinations and types of bets. To the ante bonus bet:

• Straight flush – 5 to 1;


• Three cards – 4 to 1;


• Straight – 1 to 1.

• Straight flush – 40 to 1;


• Three cards – 30 to 1;


• Straight – 6 to 1;


• Flush – 4 to 1;


• Pair – 1 to 1.

How to win the three card poker slot

Thus, using the pair plus bet will increase the likelihood of winning a large sum.

Live 3-card poker online

List of reviewed live 3-card poker casinos & games

Over the past couple of years many casino-like games have been created to offer some novelty to casino classics like roulette, blackjack and baccarat. One such new game is a casino-style poker version played with three cards or 3-card poker. The game has proven to be very successful and has become a big hit in both online and live dealer casinos. Live 3-card poker, in particular, attracts many casino players mainly because it offers something new and refreshing to the live casino game portfolio. The game of 3 card poker was invented by derek webb of the united kingdom in 1994 and it was patented in 1997. Initially, when it became available in las vegas, it received mixed reception. Afterwards, it became a popular favorite and is now a standard offering in many online and offline casinos.

Live 3-card poker is based on well-known poker action and it is aimed toward casino players that want to play this variation of poker in real time. The live version of the game has authentic characteristics and offers true-to-life casino gaming to players at home. The game has the potential to generate big payouts and it allows gamblers to use less strategy which means there is something for each and every type of casino player.

Quick jump

Best live 3-card poker casinos 2020

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• Outstanding playtech live casino brand


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Top live 3-card poker games

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More about live dealer 3-card poker

When playing 3 card poker online, you need to know that you have excellent live dealer games on offer, but before we dive into concrete examples, let’s do a quick overview of the 3 card poker rules.

While casino hold’em is played against the dealer and the object is to see who gets a better 5-card hand, 3 card poker live dealer games are played by comparing the player’s and the dealer’s 3-card hands. To start a round, the player needs to place the ‘ante’ wager. Then the dealer distributes three cards to the house/the casino and three cards to the player. The cards are dealt face-down, with the bettor only being able to examine his/her own cards. After receiving these cards, the player must decide to either fold or call.

Folding forfeits your ante wager, calling (in some cases it is called raising) means you must make an additional play bet that is equal to your ante. Most 3 card poker table options offer the following assortment of bets: ante bet, play bet, pair plus bet, both ante and pair plus bet. Providers may include other side bets. After the initial dealing is over, the dealer reveals his cards and according to game rules, the croupier must have a “qualifying” hand of queen or higher for the game to continue. If the dealer does not meet this condition, the players get paid their ante bets and their play bets are returned.

If the croupier’s hand qualifies, the comparison takes place. Since 3 card poker hands have only 3 cards, the ranking of the hands is not identical to standard poker rankings. Here, a straight flush contains 3 consecutive cards of the same suit. Three-of-a-kind is made by three cards of the same rank. Straight contains 3 consecutive cards of mixed suits, while flush is made with 3 cards of the same suit. Obviously, a pair is when you have 23 cards of the same rank, and the lowest ranking is high card.

The 3 card poker payouts may differ from one provider to another. While digital formats offer slightly conservative 3 card poker odds, 3 card poker live dealer modalities can be more than generous, especially if they come from proven providers, which they usually do.

If you’re interested in some sort of a 3 card poker strategy, there isn’t one that will magically unveil the secrets of how to win at 3 card poker. Following useful tips from experienced players and poker connoisseurs won’t hurt, though, as well as playing free 3 card poker online.

Which live casino software providers offer 3 card poker

Even though 3 card poker is not the go-to game of an average live casino software supplier, two of the leading companies in the field of real-time streamed casino games offer interesting takes on the original which saw the light of day in the late 90s. Evolution gaming currently offer two games based on 3 card poker and playtech has a version called 3 card brag which follows the same principles as the typical 3-card poker game although its name is inspired by a 16th-century british card game. The game did serve as base for modern poker, so no complaints there.

Evolution gaming is the ultimate live dealer games producer out there and if one had to choose a company to develop a live dealer 3 card poker version this is definitely the address everyone would turn to. Instead of sticking with the basics, evolution revolutionaries the conventional 3 card poker game and made it into a potent mix of 3, 5 or 7-card poker. This particular version is called live side bet city and it is one of the recent additions to the ever-growing evolution portfolio. Alternatively, evolution’s live 3 card poker is the standard you want if you don’t want to go too far from the authentic gameplay brought by the main model.

Best live 3 card poker games

Introducing the top 3 live dealer 3 card poker games, available at well-supplied casino websites:

1. Evolution gaming live side bet city was released in 2019, really pushing the limits of what live dealer casinos can offer. This unique version of poker takes place in a magnificent studio setting themes around the 80s and includes a set of unconventional rules that make the game refreshing for most gamblers. It is played with one deck of cards, shuffled between rounds. Participants can wager on one or more bet, and they have four of them to choose from – 3, 5 or 7-card hand, or the ‘all lose’ option. Players must take note that there are three sets of odds for each bet: any pair, pair JJ-AA, two pairs, three of a kind, straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush and royal flush. For the royal flush, the odds are 100:1 (3-card hand), 1000-1 (5-card hand) and 500:1 (7-card hand).

2. Evolution gaming live 3 card poker is broadcasted from a studio in latvia which is made to look like a proper casino floor. Apart from bets like ante and play stake, users may introduce dynamics into their gameplay by taking advantage of the pair plus and 6 card bonus side bets. Pair plus side bet awards payouts between 1:1 and 100:1 for a hand of pair or better, while the 6 card bonus side wager pays from 7:1 to 1,000:1 for three-of-a-kind or better. The table limits on this one can get quite high, so it’s a good pick for high rollers. Another great thing about evolution’s live 3 card poker is the use of “traffic lights”. They inform you of when you can bet (green light), when the betting time is nearly over (yellow light), and when betting time has expired (red light).

3. Playtech live 3 card brag requires the player to place an ante bet or a pair plus wager and then receive three cards. One of the main advantages of this game is exceptional video and audio quality, which enhances the gameplay experience. The studio setting is really clean and polished and english-speaking dealers are willing to chat all through the round. The interface shows the results of previously dealt hands and the odds for each bet are displayed across the table, so you always know what you’re getting for your money.

Where to play 3 card poker in live casinos

Players who wish to experience the best 3 card poker live casino sites need to pursue trustworthy venues where they can play evolution gaming and/or playtech. Since these are the leading brands in terms of 3 card poker with real dealers, you better pay a visit to casinos such as betfair, william hill, 888 casino, mr green or leo vegas.

Three card poker

Three card poker - instant play game

The three card poker game is relatively new compared to many other forms of the game, having been 'invented' only in 1994 and patented in 1997. It's a really fast paced and fun poker game that is very easy to play.

Free three card poker

If you would like to play this slot for real money (or similar games if this game is not available in your country), please visit our real money slots page.

Play with bonus - to play slots with a free bonus offer, please visit our bonus offer page.

More fabulous free casino games

3 card video poker

What is a 3 card video poker?

The 3 card video poker is a mixture of two games, presenting the player with a unique chance of playing against the machine and trying to form the best possible combination of cards on one side and placing a separate wager on an odd that a hand of pair or better will be dealt, on the other.

3 card video poker rules

The rules are quite simple and both the player and the “house” will receive 3 cards each. The players will have three betting options in front of them – ante, play and pair plus. Once the bet is placed on ante, the players will proceed by either folding or staying in the game, which will of course depend on their hand.

Folding means that the ante wager is lost, whereas placing a new bet on the play betting area will keep the players in the game. The amount of the bet is the same as the original, ante bet, and the dealer must now draw a queen or a higher ranked card to stay in the game. If the dealer is not able to compete, the players will take the winnings on ante and get the play bet back.

If the dealer happens to draw the queen and thus forming a combination of cards which will outweigh the player’s hand, both the ante and the play bets will be lost. In some rare cases, a tie may occur – when that happens, the player’s hand will always outweigh the dealer’s.

The ranking of hands and payouts in 3 card video poker

Payout will of course depend on how the hand is ranked, as shown below:

The pair plus is completely independent from other bets and the players are paid as soon as they land the necessary combination. The same will happen with the ante bonus payout – the player will receive the payout awarded for straight, three of a kind or straight flush even if the dealer’s hand is higher.

Where to play 3 card video poker?

Pretty much along the entire strip, but most people would recommend caesars palace and downtown vegas casinos, since the limits are much more favourable there.

If you are looking for a more challenging alternative, make sure to visit golden nugget and for those of you who are on a budget, online casino with video poker games are the best possible option as they offer variants with a wide range of betting limits, suitable for every pocket.

A guide on how to play 3 card poker

Table of contents

• Three card poker is a simple and fun casino game based on poker


• 3-card poker requires a strategy but a very straightforward one


• How to play three card poker is explained in this article

Three card poker game has been around since the very beginning of the card game that is poker.

Since its invention, it has grown in popularity and is fair to say three card poker is among the most well-known casino games in the world.

A few facts have helped the game grow in stature over the years:

• Three card poker is easy to learn and easy to play


• Unlike some casino games, three card poker is not just based on luck because there's an element of skill involved in your hand selection


• You can play three card poker online for free and for real money right on this page

Three card poker is a fair slow-paced table game that is very simple to learn.

How to play three card poker

Three card poker, invented by derek webb in 1994, is the poker version most people play when they head to their casino.

Three card poker isn't played against other players. Instead, you play against the dealer.

You only have to be concerned with what your cards are and what the house's cards are. Making a mistake only punishes you and not your fellow players like at some other card game tables.

OK – so you want to try three card poker? Good choice!

Three card poker bets

In three card poker game, the player makes an ante bet.

The dealer gives each player and themselves three cards. The dealer's cards are face down and you can only examine your own cards.

If you’ve made the ante bet then you must either fold or call.

Folding forfeits your ante wager, calling (raising) means you must make an additional play bet that is equal to your ante.

The dealer then turns over their cards.

Three card poker outcomes

The dealer needs a queen-high or better to qualify:

• If the dealer doesn't qualify, you win even money on the ante bet and play bet is a push


• If the dealer qualifies, your hand is compared to the dealer's hand and the best hand wins

• If it is yours, congrats! You win even money on the ante and play bets.


• If the dealer has a better hand, both your ante and play bets lose.


• If it is a tie, then both the ante and play bets are a push.

If you have a straight or better, you receive an ante bonus regardless of the value of the dealer's hand.

If you have placed a pair plus bet, it is paid based on the value of your hand. This pays out differently depending on where you play.

Practice three card poker online before you play for real money. Or claim a bonus (or two) and dive into the real money games.

How to win at three card poker: the strategy

Three card poker has a relatively small house edge, usually around 3.3 percent. If you play optimally, that is.

This edge can increase significantly with side bets or incorrect strategy.

To avoid this, follow a couple of simple three card poker strategy tips:

1. Don’t make the pair plus bets

Betting on the pair plus increases the house edge by more than 2.3 percent.

It is tempting with big payouts (e.G. Straight flush pays 40 to 1) but you’re bound to lose more making this bet even if you have a rare bigger payout from it.

So, forget about the times you could have won a big payout when you've not placed a pair plus bet. Simply try to play in a way that minimizes the house edge.

2. Remember one strategic combination of cards

It’s not only the three card poker rules that are easy to learn. So is the three card poker strategy.

You only need to remember one combination of cards and base your decision to call or fold on it:

• Call with
  
  
  
  or higher hand


• Fold everything else

See, I’ve told you it was simple.

Because of it, you will find this game in a more relaxed setting as it’s pretty easy to avoid mistakes and nobody is worried about making mistakes that affect other players.

Where to play 3-card poker online

There are many options to play 3-card poker on the internet, but some sites offer better bonuses and value than others.

As a new player at this online casino, you’ll get some free spins for slots on registration (before making a deposit) and extra cash as well as more free spins when you finally make a deposit.

That's a great way to earn some free money before hitting the 3-card tables.

Unlike many other casino games, three card poker is not just based on luck - do you know why?

Three card poker is a fun version of poker that was invented by derek webb in 1994.

What do you think?

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Top 10 3 card poker tips

To give all of our casino card game playing website visitors a range of playing tips we would like to present to you our guide to the top 10 3 card poker game playing hints and tips which you will find listed below.

Feel free to check out these playing tips and put them into play when you next sit down to play this game online.

Lowest house edge bet

You are going to find that it is the ante bet that returns the lowest house edge on the game of 3 card poker and as such maybe you are best sticking to placing only those wagers and avoiding the pairs plus betting options to ensure the maximum winning opportunities when playing this game.

When to raise your ante bet

When playing the ante bet option offered on the card game of 3 card poker then the best playing strategy calls for you to only raise your ante bet when you have been dealt out a queen, six and a four or any higher valued hand, and fold any hand combinations with a lower value.

The “pairs plus” bet payouts

You need to be aware that depending at just which online casino you are playing at you can often find a completely different set of payouts attached to the game of 3 card poker, more so in regards to the highest payout attached to the pairs plus bet option. Microgaming for example offer a payout of 40 to 1 on the straight flush hand combination on this wager but other sites can and do offer much lower payouts, and those other sites are therefore offering very poor value on that bet option and their version of this game should be avoided!

Watch your stakes!

Be aware then often when you first launch the game of 3 card poker it will automatically bet set to the highest possible stake option, and as such if you inadvertently place those wagers onto the table and set the game into live play then you may end up playing for much higher stakes than you intended, so whenever you launch the game of 3 card poker always set the stake levels and chips values to your own preferences and never be too eager to simply set the game into play!

Have enough cash in reserve

Be aware that when you play the ante bet option when playing 3 card poker you need to have enough cash in your online casino account should you then go on to play that hand, if you do not have enough cash in your account then you will have to fold that hand which will result in your losing your ante wager on what may just be a winning hand combination!

Playing with a bonus

If the casino at which you are playing at has awarded you with some bonus credits and you can play 3 card poker games with that bonus then you will often find it is the ante game which gives you the best chance of meeting the play through requirements of that bonus, the pairs plus bet can be high variance some time and this can often result in you losing your bonus way too quickly and may never get near completing the play through requirements of that bonus!

Tied hands

When playing the ante bet if you and the dealer get the exact same valued hand combination then this is classed as a tie, but many casinos will look at this result in different ways, some will simply class this hand as a push, but if you do find a casino that looks at tied ant bet hands as a winning hand for the player then those games are the best variants to play, as long as the payouts available on that bet are the highest ones available also!

Compare comps!

Much like every other casino game you should always be getting comp points awarded to you when playing 3 card poker, and as the number of comp points you can earn will vary from site to site do a little shopping around and seek out and only play at the sits offering you the highest number of comps points but also with the most beneficial redemption rates for turning those comps into casino credits!

3 card poker tournament strategies

Be advised that the aim of a 3 card poker tournament entry is for you to win as much as you can in the shortest amount of time, and whilst many people tend to play in a very high risk strategy when playing in such a casino game tournament, the best strategy that you can play is for you to work out how many hands you can play in the allocated time based on your tournament credits and then stick to place ante bets only.

If you do not follow the correct strategy you will often find you blow all of your tournaments credits way too quickly and as such will never make it onto a prize paying position on the 3 card poker tournaments leader board!

Get some playing experience at no risk

One final 3 card poker playing tip if you have never played this casino card game before is that you should give it some play time for free and at no risk at any of our listed online casino sites for by doing to you can then get a good understand for how to play this game and can practise playing perfect strategy and then move over to the real money options when you have truly mastered playing it!

Three card poker

Introduction

Three card poker was invented in england in the mid 1990's by derek webb. It was originally called casino brag, since it was inspired by 3-card brag, adapted to create a casino game in which players bet against the house rather than against each other. The name three card poker was adopted when this game was introduced to america; it is sometimes also known as tri poker. The game was initially marketed to casinos by derek webb's organisation prime table games, but in 1999 the rights to the game were acquired by shuffle master, later renamed SHFL entertainment, inc. In 2012 SHFL took steps to emphasise their ownership of the game by registering the name of the 'pair plus' side bet as a service mark (trade mark).

An older game, also called three card poker, is described in several 20th century american card game books. This was a draw poker game played with three-card rather than five-card hands, where players bet against each other in normal poker style.

Note. Gambling can be dangerously addictive. You can find information and advice on our responsible gambling page.

Cards and initial bets

The modern casino game of three card poker is played with a 52-card pack at a special table on which the cards are dealt and bets placed. There are two bet types available.

• Ante and play - a bet that the player's hand will beat the dealer's


• Pair plus В® - a bet on the quality of the player's hand, paid independently of what the dealer is dealt.

Before the deal, in order to receive cards each player must place an ante bet, and in addition may place a pair plus В® bet.

The ranking of hands for three card poker from lowest to highest is:

• High card - three cards of different ranks, not consecutive and not all the same suit, such as
  
  Q-
  
  J-
  
  9. When comparing two such hands, the highest cards are compared first; if they are equal the middle cards are compared and finally the lowest cards. For example K-4-2 beats Q-10-9, which beats Q-10-7.


• Pair - two cards of equal rank and one of a different rank, such as 6-6-Q. When comparing two hands with a pair, the rank of the pair decides; if both hands have the equal pairs, the hand with the better odd card ("kicker") wins.


• Flush - three cards of the same suit. These are compared in the same way as "high card" hands.


• Straight - three consecutive cards of mixed suits. Between two straights the one with the higher ranked cards wins. Ace can count high or low: A-K-Q is the highest type of straight and 3-2-A is the lowest. 2-A-K is not a straight.


• Three of a kind - three cards of the same rank, higher ranks beating lower ranks.


• Straight flush - three consecutive cards of the same suit. These are compared in the same way as straights, ace counting high or low.

Note that there is no ranking among suits. Hands that have the same combination and equally high cards, differing only in suit, are tied.

Ante and play

Three cards are dealt to each player who has placed an ante bet and three cards to the dealer. After viewing his three cards the player must decide to either:

1. Make a play bet, placing an additional amount equal to the ante bet, or


2. Fold, losing the ante bet.

Following this decision, the dealer's hand is revealed and there is a showdown.

• If the dealer does not have queen high or better, the ante bet is paid even money and the play bet is returned.


• If the dealer does have queen high or better and the player's hand beats the dealer's hand the ante bet and play bet are paid even money.


• If the dealer does have queen high or better and the player's hand is equal to the dealer's hand the player's ante and play bets are returned.


• If the dealer does have queen high or better and the player's hand is worse than the dealer's hand the ante and play bet are lost.

An additional bonus is also payed on the ante bet irrespective of dealer's hand or outcome of the hand if the player holds a strong hand

• Even money for a straight


• 4 to 1 for three of a kind


• 5 to 1 for a straight flush

Pair plus В®

The name of this special side bet, which has been a part of the game since its invention in the 1990's, was registered as a trade mark of SHFL entertainment, inc. In 2012.

The result of a pair plus В® bet depends only on the three cards dealt to the player - the dealer's cards are irrelevant. The pair plus В® bet is lost if the player does not hold a pair or better. Winning hands are paid as follows:

• Even money for a pair


• 4 to 1 for a flush


• 6 to 1 for a straight


• 30 to 1 for three of a kind


• 40 to 1 for a straight flush

A winning pair plus В® hand is paid out even if the player folds, though in fact this situation rarely occurs, since with any such hand the correct strategy is to place a play bet.

Alternative names

Many online casino software providers have taken to calling this game by different names, presumably in an effort to avoid paying licensing fees for offering three card poker. Some names that are currently in use are poker three, trey poker, fast poker, high speed poker, triple edge poker, trey card poker and tri card poker.

Optimal strategy and house edge

The optimal strategy for three card poker is far more straightforward that many other casino card games. The player should not place the pair plus В® wager and should place the play wager with any hand of Q, 6, 4 or better.

According to the three card poker guide at the pogg, the house edge when playing three card poker using optimal strategy is 2.01% where the game offers the standard paytable detailed above. If you decide to place a pair plus В® bet, the house edge is 2.32% if the paytable detailed above is used.

Variants

In some places a player is allowed to place only a pair plus В® bet without placing an ante. It is to the player's disadvantage to exercise this option.

Some casinos both on- and offline have started to vary the paytables for the ante and play bet. Where this is the case the house edge will vary accordingly.

There is significant variation in the paytables being offered for the pair plus В® bet both on- and offline. In general these variations have a detrimental impact on the house edge.

Other three card poker sites and software

The three card poker guide at the pogg provides rules, analysis, advice and odds calculators.

Steve cross has written a page on three card poker.

Wizard of odds offers a free three card poker game that can be played online in a browser.

How to play 3-card poker

Like the skill-based advantages of good poker play mixed with the speed and thrill of a casino table game? 3-card poker might soon become your favorite casino game. The game is available to play at many online casinos. Below we delve into how to play 3-card poker to teach you the ropes. Have a read through to get to know the rules.

A popular choice in casinos from vegas to london to macau (and online, of course) 3-card poker was only invented in the mid-90s but has become such a staple of the casino world it’s hard to imagine a casino – live or online – without it. Even better, if you play proper 3-card poker strategy you can reduce the house edge to between 2-3%. With a payout percentage that high - and a very quick learning curve for how to play 3-card poker - you'll see why it's so popular very soon. Play for free until you get your feet wet then dive in to one of the best casino games going!

Why play 3-card poker online?

• The game is very easy to learn and play;


• You'll be able to play the game using your online casino bonus;


• Using optimal strategy reduces the house edge to under 3%;


• Bets and payouts are very easy to make and understand;


• Very big payouts are given for hitting premium hands like straights, three of a kind and straight flushes

How to play 3-card poker

Maybe the best thing about 3-card poker? It’s a very easy game to learn and play optimally. Hands are based on real poker hands but, as there are only three cards dealt to both the players and the dealer, they’ve been simplified to just six different hand types. If you're familiar with the standard poker hand rankings this will come very easily to you but there is one small change to take note of: because getting dealt a three-card straight is actually rarer than getting a flush in 3-card poker, a straight is the higher ranked hand.

Here’s how hands are ranked in three-card poker:

• Straight flush


• Three of a kind


• Straight


• Flush


• Pair


• High card

As it's a three-card game you obviously can’t get quads (four of a kind) and there’s no “mini” version of a full house, so those are the only hands you need to know to play 3-card poker.

How do I make bets in 3-card poker?

The are two basic bets bettors can play in 3-card poker.

Both can be played simultaneously, in fact, and different amounts can be bet for each one as you see fit. Action starts with all players placing a bet in the "ante" betting circle. This is the main bet you are making against the dealer and his hand. You can then also choose to place a bet in the "pair plus" as well. This bet is independent of whatever outcome your hand has against the dealer.

This bet is simply saying you are hoping to be dealt a premium hand (a pair or better) and will be paid out according to a payout chart depending on how "premium" your hand is (see the payout chart below). Once all players at the table have made their ante bets (and their pair plus bet, if they so choose), the deal begins. Players and the dealer each get three cards, face down, from a standard 52-card deck. Watch the video below for a quick run-through of your basic bets and how to play standard 3-card poker:

Fold or play in 3-card poker?

After you’ve looked at your hand you can either fold - and forfeit your ante bet - or place another bet equal to the ante bet in the "play" circle. This means that you're continuing on against the dealer and will reveal your hand to see if you've beaten his or not and get paid accordingly. If the dealer has a queen high or better, his hand is in play. If the dealer does not have a qualifying hand, the payouts are:

Play bet: push (your bet is returned to you)

So if you didn't fold your hand and the dealer has a non-qualifying hand (under queen high) you'll get your play bet back and win an equivalent ante bet.

If the dealer does have a qualifying hand and your hand beats it your bets pay:

Many players like to play "blind" -- meaning to play every hand regardless of their holdings. If you do that, however, you increase the house edge from around 3% to close to 7%. It's decidedly better to stick to the Q64 rule which is to only play hands that have a queen, 6 and 4 or higher. So our guide to 3-card poker strategy below.

Ante bonus & pair plus

An additional feature you get to take advantage of in 3-card poker is the ante bonus, which is paid on the ante wager for hands that rank as a straight or better. The ante bonus is paid out regardless of whether the dealer's hand qualifies and regardless of whether the dealer or the player has the best hand. The typical ante bonus paytable pays 5 to 1 for a straight flush, 4 to 1 for a three of a kind and 1 to 1 for a straight (see chart below). As mentioned above the pair plus wager is an optional bet you can make before the hand begins. You can make it any amount you want based on the table minimum and maximum bets. This bet is also independent of whether your hand beats the dealers hand or not. If your dealt hand has a pair or better, you get paid out according to the table's payout scale. See an example of a standard pair plus payout table below. Neither the pair plus or ante bonus are contingent on beating the dealer’s hand so if you hit qualifying hands with either bet you’ll still get paid.

3-card poker guide: A faster-paced alternative to traditional poker games

Traditional live poker – like texas hold’em cash games and tournaments – can be boring.

You can play only one table at a time. And unless you’re a bad player – a fish – you’re only going to play 15%-20% of hands you’re dealt. Basically a few hands every hour.

We’re not saying there’s anything wrong with live poker, just that sometimes we crave something faster paced. Something that takes elements of live poker and casino table games…and mashes them together.

True story – 3-card poker was invented by a poker player. Maybe he wanted something faster paced, too?

Anyway, if you’re a poker fan, you’re sure to like this game. It has elements of both poker and poker strategy.

However, even if you’re not a huge poker fan, you should still read our guide below and learn all about 3-card poker. Learn the rules and strategy at the very least, because you can never go wrong with knowing how to play more games.

You’ll only have more options when you hit the casino.

Where did 3-card poker come from?

3-card poker’s pretty new compared to other casino card games. A guy named derek webb invented the game in 1994.

Shortly after he invented it, he started shopping it around to different casinos to see if anyone would be willing to offer it in their casino on a trial basis.

After a few rejections, webb got a bite from a casino in mississippi. There, derek hustled; he helped integrate the game into the casino and train the dealers, all at no cost.

Webb later parlayed his initial success into trials with las vegas and reno casinos. Between pitching his game and training staff, he was kept busy. Life was looking good.

Then he was hit by a patent infringement lawsuit from progressive games.

Derek then met with joseph lahti, the president of shuffle master. Lahti offered to help webb defend the patent claims in court.

He also offered webb $3 million for partial rights to 3-card poker – which webb agreed to.

But there was a chance derek could have gotten a lot more. So, he countersued progressive games. He claimed their lawsuit against him forced him to sell his (intellectual) property at a lower price than it’d be worth otherwise.

Progressive games must have thought so, too. Or they didn’t want to see what a judge and jury would think. Because they settled out of court…

…and paid derek webb $20 million.

It sounds like we should be investing in games instead of writing about them, doesn’t it?

Anyway, that’s the short and sweet story about where 3-card poker comes from. Now let’s take a few minutes to learn how to play it.

How to play 3-card poker

3-card poker is a simple game. We’ll cover how to play it, but keep in mind that each casino may do things differently.

You’ll start by placing your mandatory ante bet. How much you can bet will depend on the casino. You can also make the optional “pairs plus” bet.

If you make both bets, they don’t need to be the same size. For example, you can make a $5 ante bet and $1 pairs plus bet (or whatever limits the casino lets you bet).

After you place your bet, you’ll be dealt cards. These are the only cards you’ll get – there’s no discarding or drawing new ones.

This is important because you need to decide if your 3-card poker hand is strong enough to beat the dealer’s hand as is. And the crazy part is that you don’t know because the dealer’s hand is face down.

(don’t worry. We share some basic advice to help you beat the dealer later on in this guide.)

You have two choices at this point; you can raise because you think your hand’s strong enough, or you can fold because you think your hand isn’t strong enough.

Fold and you’re done. The dealer automatically wins and gets to keep your ante bet.

However, if you raise, you’ll need to make another bet. Your “raise” must match your ante bet. For example, if your ante bet is $5, your raise must be $5. You’ll have $10 in total in play.

After you make your raise bet, the dealer will flip his hand over. Then both hands will be compared to see who has the strongest 3-card poker hand – you or the dealer.

Here are the three possible outcomes:

• The dealer’s hand doesn’t qualify. He must have a Q-high hand or stronger to qualify.

If the dealer doesn’t qualify, you’ll get 1:1 on your ante bet. But you push on the raise bet. You’ll get your original wager bet back.

For example, if you bet $5 on the ante and raise and the dealer didn’t qualify, you’d get $10 total for the ante and $5 for the raise. You’ll get $15 total.

• The dealer qualifies, but your hand is stronger. You win (and get paid on) both bets.

In this case, you’d get even money on both the ante and raise. If you bet $5 on the ante and raise – $10 total – you’d get an additional $10 for winning, which makes $20 total.

There are two exceptions. You’ll receive a higher payout for making one of the following hands:

• A straight flush pays 5:1.


• A three of a kind pays 4:1.

It’s also important to note exactly how you beat the dealer. 3-card poker uses a slightly different hand ranking chart to determine hand strength.

In order from strongest to weakest:

• Straight flush


• Three of a kind


• Straight


• Flush


• Pair


• High card

You might be asking yourself why a three of a kind pays better than a straight, or why a flush pays less than a straight. This is totally backwards compared to traditional poker.

The answer’s simple – it’s much easier to make a 3-card flush than it is a 5-card flush. The same goes for a 3-card straight. But it’s still difficult to make a three of a kind, especially when you’re only given three cards to begin with.

• The dealer qualifies, and his hand beats yours.

Pretty simple – here you’ll lose both your ante and raise bet.

If you made a pairs plus bet, that’s also taken care of now. It pays only if you make a pair or better. Anything less than a pair, and you lose this bet.

• A straight flush pays 40:1.


• A three of a kind pays 30:1.


• A straight pays 6:1.


• A flush pays 4:1.


• A pair pays 1:1.

Those are the common payouts. But keep in mind that they vary from casino to casino.

Once the hands have been compared and the bets paid or collected, the round is over. The cards are shuffled and you make your bet for the next round.

3-card poker variations and side bets

There are quite a few 3-card poker variations and side bets. What’s available will depend on where you play it.

The following are the known variations and side bets and any information about them, including house edge, payouts, and where you can find it.

They call this the “millionaire maker.” if you make a 6-card royal flush in diamonds, you’ll go home a millionaire. A royal flush in any other suit will pay out $100,000.

All this on a $5 side bet and a whole lot of luck. You’ll find this offered at caesars entertainment casinos in las vegas and atlantic city. You’ll find this online, too, at evolution gaming live dealer games. The caesars version has an 18.10% house edge.

This was mentioned in the last section. This pays on any pair or better hand. Some casinos also offer a mini (3-card) royal flush bonus, which pays 50:1 for a suited AKQ.

A progressive that pays on a mini royal flush in spades. These are the payouts:

• Royal flush in spades pays 100% of jackpot.


• Royal flush in other suits pays $50.


• Straight flush pays $100.


• Three of a kind pays $50.

This is an indian version of 3-card poker. The biggest difference is that teen patti is played against other players instead of the dealer/casino.

Also called face up. The dealer reveals only one card in a head-to-head game, rather than all three. You also make an additional blind bet equal to your ante. There’s the optional pairs plus side bet, too.

If you show at least a pair, you can make an additional bet up to 3x the ante. Any other hand is only double (the ante). The blind bet’s a loser if your hand is lower than the dealer’s, a winner if it’s higher, and a push if it’s lower than a flush.

A slot variation found at william hill. This offers a hold/nudge option. Each reel is made up of symbols showing all fifty-two cards in a deck. The goal is to line up a winning 3-card poker hand on the winning line.

New to nevada casinos. This is part blackjack and part 3-card poker. Each round begins with placing two bets – one for your 3-card hand and another for the 21 bonus game. Then three cards are dealt to each player. These are the payouts for the 21 bonus:

• A 21 (total) pays 1:1.


• A pair pays 1:1.


• A flush pays 3:2.


• A straight pays 2:1.


• A three of a kind pays 5:1.


• A straight flush pays 15:1.


• A 3-card royal flush pays 50:1.


• A 3-card royal flush in diamonds pays 200:1.

If the dealer shows an ace, you can buy insurance. It pays 2:1 like in traditional blackjack.

And if you have a total of more than 21, you can surrender or make two additional bets. This splits your 3-card hand into three different hands.

There are more rules, which you can find here.

This is (reportedly) offered at the red hawk casino near sacramento. This is a $1 side bet. This is on a ‘for one’ basis, which means you never get your original bet back, even if you win. You can win based on your own hand AND other players’ hands. This has a house edge of 38.57% to 42.53%, depending on how many players (1-6) are playing.

The most optimal way to play

There’s not a ton of strategy for 3-card poker. You only have two choices you can make:

• Do I play the pairs plus bet?


• Do I raise or do I fold?

That said, there are a couple of optimal decisions or plays you can make. These are choices that will reduce the house edge as much as possible.

The most optimal way to play is this:

• Always raise with Q-6-4 or better. Fold everything else.

Here are a couple examples:

• A-A-3 – raise


• Q-5-4 – fold


• Q-6-5 – raise


• 9-4-2 – fold


• J-T-3 – fold


• J-T-9 – raise (because this is a 3-card straight.)


• 9c-4c-2c – raise (because this is a 3-card flush.)

This strategy reduces the house edge to 3.37%. But it can be higher depending on where you play and that casino’s payouts.

If you don’t use this strategy, the house edge will be between 7.5%-8%. That’s a big difference for failing to use such a simple strategy.

That’s it. That’s all the strategy you need.

But that’s not all. If you’re playing live and happen to see one of the dealer’s cards, then follow this advice:

• Raise if you saw a (dealer) 2 through jack.


• Raise if you have Q-9-2 or better if the dealer has a queen.


• Raise if you have K-9-2 or better if the dealer has a king.


• Raise if you have A-9-2 or better if the dealer has an ace.

If the dealer’s sloppy enough, you can have as much as a 3.48% advantage over the house.

Last – there’s no strategy for the pairs plus bet. You either make it or you don’t. If you’re concerned about the house edge and making your money last, don’t make it. You’re better off betting 100% of your money on the ante bet.

That said, the house edge is relatively low for a side bet – around 2%-3% – which, when combined with the game’s house edge, makes this a low-risk game all around.

Playing tri-card poker online: 5 things you should know

There’s nothing particularly special about playing 3-card poker online. At least, no more than any other game.

But there are a few things you might want to know.

• You’ll find 3-card poker at most casinos. But because of trademark rights, you might not find it under the name 3-card poker. You might have to look for tri-card poker instead.


• Stakes will vary, though you should be able to find games starting at $1 and peaking at between $250 and $500 pretty easily. The higher the stakes, the more challenging it will be for you to find a casino.


• There are live dealer 3-card poker games. It’s not as widespread as live dealer blackjack or roulette, though. But one company who does distribute the game is evolution gaming. And they work with the following online casinos:

• 888 / 777


• William hill


• Unibet


• Pokerstars

Their version has the ante bonus, which pays no matter the dealer’s hand. And they have the pair plus bonus and a six card bonus, which pays 1,000:1 on a three of a kind or better, regardless of what the dealer has.

• Since this is a “poker” game, most online casinos will either prohibit you from participating in their bonus offers or handicap your bets. In short, this means you’ll need to wager more money than normal to clear their offer.

For example, if they require slots players to wager 30x their deposit plus bonus, a poker player might need to wager 5x-10x that – or about 150x-300x.

It’s important to keep that in mind before signing up because if you don’t fulfill the requirements you won’t be able to cash out until you do.

• Mobile 3-card poker games are hard to come by. Players outside the US will have more luck, but only at online casinos that have an extensive mobile game selection, like bet365.

Conclusion

That’s it. That’s 3-card poker.

As we said earlier, this is a simple game to learn and play. The house edge isn’t too bad either if you stick to the one move we shared and resist the temptation to play any side bets.

But no matter how you approach it, 3-card poker is a fun game to play…and a great, fast-paced alternative to traditional poker games.

Here are some questions and answers about 3-card poker.

Can you play 3-card poker for real money?

Yes. Most online casinos will offer either 3-card or tri-card poker for real money.

Can you play 3-card poker for free?

You can. Most online casinos will let you play their games for free. Some – like bovada and ignition casino – will let you play their games without having to create an account first.

Another idea is to find one of those arcade game websites that offer all sorts of free games. You just have to deal with their aggressive and invasive advertisements.

And yet another idea – search your mobile phone or tablet’s app store for a 3-card (or tri-card) poker game. Chances are you can find one. If not, then you can probably find a general casino or card game app that offers it.

Where can you find 3-card poker in las vegas?

Several casinos offer it. Those include:

• Golden nugget – they have a $10 minimum.


• Imperial palace – they have a $10 minimum.


• Riviera – they have a $5 minimum.


• Circus circus – they have a $5 minimum.


• Stratosphere – they have a $5 minimum.


• Bellagio – they have a $25 minimum.


• Aria – they have a $25 minimum.


• Wynn – they have a $25 minimum.


• Excalibur – they have a $5 minimum.


• Treasure island – they have a $5 minimum.

Some of these table minimums will change based on the season and the time of day and week. You can expect them to be higher during busier times and lower during slow times.

Where can I find a free 3-card poker game download?

Unless you pay for a premium app, you shouldn’t ever have to buy 3-card poker or pay to download it. Most casinos who offer the game AND offer a casino download will let you do so for free.

How many hands per hour can you play?

It depends on where you’re playing and if you’re playing online or live, but you can expect to play 30+ hands per hour.

What is the minimum hand in 3-card poker?

We’re not sure we understand what you’re asking. So we’ll try to cover this a couple different ways.

The minimum hand the dealer needs to “qualify” or for this hand to play is Q-high. If the dealer fails to qualify, you’ll get 1:1 on your ante bet and you’ll push on your raise bet.

The minimum hand you should play is a Q-6-4. With a Q-6-4 or better, the most optimal strategy is to raise. You should fold everything else.

Is there 3-card poker multi-player?

You can play the game with other people. That’s possible online when you play live dealer games. At some casinos, you can sit and chat with the other players.

You can do that offline, too.

However, keep in mind that general chit-chat is okay, but casinos usually frown on sharing strategy or information about your hand.

Have a question about 3-card poker? Send us an email!

So, let's see, what we have: learn how to play three card poker and game rules written by john grochowski --> 3 card poker was invented by derek webb of the united kingdom in 1994, three card poker has become the most successful of relatively new, trademarked table games. At casino game 3 card poker