Best Way To Play 3 Card Poker
There are many casino poker variants to choose from, but unquestionably, three card poker is among the most fast-paced and thrilling. This essential guide takes you through everything you need to know; we breakdown the rules of 3 card poker and explain how to play the game. Plus, we cover all the side bets, bonuses, and payouts; and reveal the perfect three-card poker strategy.
Triple Card Poker is two games in one, the ‘Pair Plus’ and the ‘Ante Game’. You can play them together in a single hand or bet on each one separately”. Of course that’s exactly right. It’s really two games in one – you’re either playing against the dealers 3 cards to get the best hand,. As you may have noticed, one way 3 Card Poker varies from traditional poker is the bets you place. It is important to understand the difference between these two bets. The Ante bet is one you place to beat the dealer with your three card hand. The Pair Plus is a bet you place to make a hand with a pair or better. Ante-Play is the basic form of Three Card poker against the dealer. Here you place a wager in the ante space before the cards are dealt. If you then decide to play on after seeing your cards, you.
How to play three card poker
The important elements of creating great casino poker games are to firstly make the rules easy to understand, and secondly, the payouts have to be appealing to players. Derek Webb, the game’s inventor, combines these factors to a tee. Learning the basics of how to play three card poker only takes a minute or two.
Of course, you want to refine your play with a proven strategy, but we’ll get to that part later. For now, let’s explain 3 card poker rules and guide you through the gameplay.
Three card poker rules
Once you know the rules, you’ll be well on your way to being able to play 3 card poker online. The game is played with a standard 52-card deck. Here’s a step-by-step guide to a single round.
- To begin a round, the player must place an ante bet.
- The dealer then deals three cards to the player, which are face-up, and three cards to himself, which are face down.
- Based on the three cards, the player can either fold the hand or continue by placing a play bet.
- If the player folds, he loses the original ante bet wager.
- If he continues, the cost of the play bet is equal to the ante bet.
- Assuming the player continues, the dealer turns over his three cards.
- The dealer’s hand needs to be at least Queen high to qualify.
- If the dealer’s hand doesn’t qualify, the player wins even money (1:1) on the ante bet, but the play bet is pushed (returned).
- When the dealer does qualify; the player’s hand is compared to the dealer’s hand. The winner is determined according to the order of 3 card poker hand ranks.
- If the player’s hand wins, he gets paid 1:1 on both the ante bet and the play bet.
- If the dealer’s hand wins, both bets are lost.
- It is possible for the hands to tie. In which case, the ante and play bets are pushed.
- Regardless of the outcome of the round, if the player holds a straight or higher, he wins an ante bonus (as described below).
Poker hand ranks
There’s a slight alteration in the poker hand ranks for this game (compared to most other forms of poker). The reason is that you are less likely to hit a straight draw than you are to get a flush draw. This is the ranking order, starting with the highest three card poker hand at the top:
- Straight flush: 3 cards of the same suit in consecutive order.
- Three of a kind: 3 cards of equal face value.
- Straight: 3 cards of mixed suits in consecutive order.
- Flush: 3 cards from the same suit but not in consecutive order.
- Pair: two cards of equal face value.
- High card: none of the above hands, means you only have a high card.
Three card poker odds and payouts
We described the standard 1:1 payouts in the 3 card poker rules outlined above, but those are just one part of this game. The excitement jumps up a few notches because three card poker also includes an ante bet bonus. The ante bet bonus is based purely on the player’s three cards. Therefore, you can win this bet but still lose the round.
Ante bet bonus payouts:
- Straight flush: 5 times the ante bet
- Three of a kind: 4 times the ante bet
- Straight: 1 times the ante bet
Pair Plus bet
Before the start of a hand, players can also make a Pair Plus side bet. Again, this wager is independent of the outcome of your game against the dealer. It’s based on the 3 cards you are dealt.
Pair Plus bet payouts:
Best Way To Play 3 Card Poker In Casino
- Straight flush: 40 to 1
- Three of a kind: 30 to 1
- Straight: 6 to 1
- Flush: 4 to 1
- A pair: 1 to 1
Six Card bonus
The six card bonus is another optional side bet, but not all three card poker games offer this wager. It uses the three player cards and the three dealer cards from which you must form a five-card hand that is on the pay table to win.
Pair Plus bet payouts:
- Royal flush: 1000 to 1
- Straight flush: 200 to 1
- Four of a kind: 50 to 1
- Full house: 25 to 1
- Flush: 15 to 1
- Straight: 10 to 1
- Three of a kind: 5 to 1
These poker hand rankings are more traditional with a royal flush being the best possible hand, and the flush payout is valued higher than the straight.
3 card poker strategy
We can categorize casino card games into two types. The first are games of chance, such as baccarat and Dragon Tiger. The others are decision-based games like blackjack, Caribbean Stud, and Casino Hold’em. Three card poker drops into the second type because the player makes a decision after seeing his cards on whether he wants to fold or continue by making the play bet.
All of these decision-based games have an optimal strategy. However, some of these involve studying playing charts, which dilutes the entertainment value of the game when you first start playing. The 3 card poker strategy doesn’t bother with such complexities. In fact, you only need to remember 3 cards.
The optimal three card poker strategy for the ante and play bet is QUEEN – SIX – FOUR
This means if your hand is equal to, or stronger than, Q-6-4, you should always raise and make the play bet. What you need to remember is to look at each card separately.
- Start with your highest card. If it’s lower than a Queen – you fold the hand.
- If the highest card is a King or Ace – you raise.
- If the highest card is a Queen, you must look at the second highest card. If lower than 6 – you fold the hand. But, if higher than 6 – you raise.
- If the second highest card is 6, you move onto the third card. Lower than 4 means you fold. 4 or higher, and you raise.
House edge
When choosing what casino games to play, you should always consider the house edge. This is essentially the advantage the casino has. The good news is the three card poker house edge is competitive, which is why this game has grown in popularity.
- The house edge for the ante and play bet combination is 2.01% when using the Q-6-4 strategy described above.
- For the Pair Plus bet, the house edge is 2.32% based on the pay table used in our example. This is reasonable value for a side bet.
- The same cannot be said for the Six Card Bonus bet. It has a house edge of 14.36% using the pay table shown. Therefore, even though the royal flush pays 1000 to 1, this side bet will cripple your bankroll over the long-term.
New players should note that the term ‘house edge’ is rarely used these days. Instead, the theoretical return to player (RTP) percentage is given. The RTP can be calculated by: 100% – house edge. Therefore, the RTP for the ante – play bet is 97.99%.
Tips for playing 3 card poker
Using our experience, and from talking with other three card poker players, we’ve composed a few easy-to-follow tips to help you get more from this game.
- Follow the Q-6-4 strategy. It can be tempting to play J-10-8 because the cards are all reasonably high, but this is not smart, and you will end up losing more than you win.
- Check the pay tables before you play. Several software developers have created their own variants, and there is also live 3 card poker. Just because the title of the game is the same, it doesn’t mean the pay tables are. This has an impact on the RTP, and you want to play where you get the best value.
- Avoid the Six Card Bonus wager. The RTP for this bet is 85.64%. That means on average (over the long-term) for every $100 wagered, you win $85.64.
- Manage your bankroll. You don’t want to play $20 ante bets, and $20 play bets if you only have $100 in your casino account. Look to divide your budget so you can get 50 to 100 hands out of what you have.
- Practice by playing free three card poker games. Most online casinos, after you have registered, will allow you to play in demo mode. This allows you to practice your playing and betting strategy. Please note, you won’t be able to play live 3 card poker games for free.
Live three card poker
The award-winning Evolution Gaming, in partnership with Scientific Gaming, has created a spectacular live dealer three card poker game. This brings you all the authentic gameplay that you get in a land-based casino, but from the comfort of your own home.
It should be noted that there is usually a trade-off playing live games. Most of the time, the RTP is lower due to the extra costs involved in operating these tables. For instance, we’ve read reports that the ante bonus on Evolution’s live variant pays 5 to 1, but you need a mini royal flush to claim it.
This title also has the two side bets we talked about above. However, the pay table for Pairs Plus is not identical. Playing live, there is a maximum payout of 100 to 1 for a mini royal. This may appear more rewarding, but the payout for a straight is less, so the house edge ends up being higher. With that said, playing three card poker live is a great experience, and we think it’s worth trying even though the RTP is not as high.
Where to play online three card poker
Three card poker may not have the iconic status of roulette or blackjack, but it’s catching up in the popularity stakes. Thanks to there being both virtual RNG and live games, you can now find this poker variant in hundreds of online casinos around the world, including:
- 888casino
- PlayOJO
- Mr Green
- Ignition
The decision where to play three card poker depends on what you want from the casino. Each operator has its strengths and weaknesses. Some offer larger bonuses, while others have faster payouts or better mobile apps. If you’re looking for your first casino, we recommend checking out our online casino reviews section for an honest point of view. In terms of bonuses specific for 3 card poker; the truth is that there aren’t many. You can use a casino’s welcome bonus to play, but the wagering requirements combined with game weighting limitations means you are unlikely to score a profit from these offers.
Three card poker – F.A.Q.
To summarize the main points of this article, we’ve included this general three card poker FAQ.
Is there any strategy to 3 card poker?
Yes, and it’s very straightforward. The strategy is Queen – Six – Four. If your hand value is lower than that, you fold. If equal or higher, you make the play bet.
What is the highest hand in 3 card poker?
The highest hand is Ace – King – Queen of the same suit. This is known as a mini royal. There are no trump suits in three card poker.
Do I play against other players?
No, three card poker is a player vs dealer game. If you play live, you can play alongside other players although each of you has to take on the dealer.
Can I play free 3 card poker?
Yes, nearly all online casinos that offer an RNG version will allow you to play free 3 card poker in practice mode.
In the early 2000s, no-limit Texas Hold ’Em ruled the world. According to many, the concoction of the introduction of online gaming platforms, the release of the film Rounders, and regular broadcasts of WSOP events led to this card game stepping into the limelight and staying there for years. Due to the happenings of 2020, it seems poised for a comeback, as April 2020 Google Trends indicated that its search popularity reached a five-year high.
3 Card Poker is a casino variant invented in 1994, and due to its format, it isn’t available on most digital poker platforms. To play 3 Card Poker for real money, you have to visit an online casino. These variants are an invention of the casino industry, which looked to add table variety on their floors by creating easy to grasp games with attractive payouts.
3 Card Poker is the most successful proprietary table title ever. However, things weren’t smooth sailing for its inventor Derek Webb, who struggled to get it established in hot spots such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Today, many online casinos offer it in its software form, and a few even let you play it against a live dealer.
Always check online reviews for 3 Card Poker for real money before funding your casino account. They can help you save time, hassles, and funds. However, since there are no dedicated non-casino apps that let you win money, here are what we believe are the best free 3 Card Poker apps available on Google Play and the Apple Store.
Three Card Poker by Megawin Casinos
Megawins Casinos is an app developer of seven casino poker variants, including Caribbean Stud, Mississippi Stud, Pai Gow Poker, Let It Ride Poker, and Crazy 4 Poker. They released Three Card Poker on March 15of 2015, and have been regularly updating this software. It is the developer’s most successful offering, with over 100,000 installs on Google Play and an average rating of 4.3.
Many online card enthusiasts believe that this is the best 3 Card game around. New players get 100,000 Bonus chips, and daily bonuses should happen every two hours. It features a friendly user-interface and includes a 6 Card option, which adds an extra layer of fun. However, some common complaints are that the virtual dealer qualifies way too often and that the gameplay does not accurately mimic real-world scenarios.
Triple Card Poker by Jackpot Mobile
Launched in June of 2020, Triple Card Poker is only one of three releases from Jackpot Mobile. The other two hit Google Play and the Apple Store in 2018 and are Video Poker Multi and Spin Poker. The first is a virtual video poker machine, while the latter is a mixture of Triple Draw and a video slot.
Triple Card Poker claims to offer the most authentic Random Number Generator 3 card experience possible. Bet sizes here range from $1 to $20 million. So, for the average player, this game can get very unrealistic. However, it has offline support. Meaning, you can play it anytime from anywhere, and it provides free chips every two hours. The graphics here are decent, and the gameplay moves at an acceptable rate. What most players complain about is that the RNG algorithm tilts heavily in the software’s favor. Thus, long losing streaks can be a frequent occurrence here. Jackpot Mobile states that these claims are inaccurate, and the gameplay is 100% random.
3 Card Poker Casino by Chase and the Rocketeers
Released in November of 2018, 3 Card Poker Casino is the second app from developer Chase and the Rocketeers, which focuses on titles that mimic online casino ones. Their other game is Crash Rocket Gambling, a simple game of chance that’s a staple at crypto gambling sites. Both their products replicate games commonly found on digital gambling platforms, and they feature designs and gaming options similar to those that popular gambling sites incorporate. Thus, they are a terrific testing ground that can get you ready for real money action.
3 Card Poker Casino has colorful aesthetics, fun sound effects, and three different table games. Blackjack, 3 Card Poker with 6 Card Bonus, and Let It Ride Poker. It gives away free chips every 30 minutes, plays reasonably fast, and has a leaderboard that provides added incentive to keep getting cards dealt. Again, a common complaint from casual players is that it features lopsided gameplay that favors the dealer.
To Wrap Up
Remember, you can only play 3 Card Poker for fun using all the apps listed above. They let you make in-game purchases and compete against a computer algorithm but are not gambling games in the real sense of the word. If you want to enjoy this casino poker as well as other variants, you’ll have to sign up at a gambling site such as Bovada, BetOnline, 888casino, and Betway. All of these also feature dedicated card rooms, as well as virtual poker machines.
Note that before signing up with a platform, you should always do your due diligence. Research each operator you are considering. The best way to go about this is to read an online casino review from a reputable iGaming info hub. These sites provide in-depth analysis of gambling sites that help you avoid common pitfalls. Most online casinos let you play the RNG versions of their games with free-playing funds. So, you can test out each option before laying down real money.
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Best 3 Card Poker Strategy
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