3 Card Poker is an excellent introduction to the world of poker if you’ve never played. However, it’s also a firm favourite with experienced players too. Find out why in my whistle-stop tour of how to play 3 Card Poker.
Note: Remember, the house will always have the edge. The outcome of games is always entirely based on luck. Never try to recover losses by gambling more.
What Is 3 Card Poker?
3 Card Poker is a fast-paced casino poker game between you and the dealer. As the name implies, only three cards are involved in this simplified poker game. It’s a firm favourite with players, especially those who love poker, but want something a little snappier to play.
If you’re unfamiliar with poker in general, it’s a good idea to read more about what poker is before continuing.
3 Card Poker Rules
The basic 3 Card Poker rules revolve around the main goal of beating the dealer with a better three card poker hand. Hands in 3 Card Poker are somewhat limited due to the fact that there are only three cards – you can’t have a Four of a Kind, for example. However, most of the other hands are still valid and include, in ascending order:
- High card: If no other hand is available, your highest value card
- Pair: Two cards of equal value, eg. QQ
- Flush: Three cards of the same suit, eg. 2s, 4s, 10s
- Straight: Three cards of consecutive value, eg. 2, 3, 4
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same value, eg. 2, 2, 2
- Straight Flush: Three consecutive cards of the same suit, eg. 2s, 3s, 4s
Notice that a Straight is higher than a Flush in this game. That’s in contrast to Texas Hold’em, where the Flush is more valuable than the Straight!
The game may also feature side bets, including Pair Plus, which pays up to 40/1 for a pair or better, and 6 Card Bonus, which pays up to 1,000/1 for the best five card poker hand from both yours and the dealer’s cards together.
An important rule in 3 Card Poker involves dealer qualification. If the dealer doesn’t get a Queen or higher, they don’t qualify and your Play bet will not pay, but your Ante bet will.
3 Card Poker Gameplay
A round of 3 Card Poker online involves placing an Ante bet first, then deciding if you want to continue with the Play bet after you’re dealt your three cards. If you choose to fold, you forfeit your Ante bet. If you play on, you place a Play bet, the dealer’s cards are revealed, and the winner is determined.
3 Card Poker Payouts
The basic 3 Card Poker payouts are quite easy to remember: both the Ante bet and Play bet pay evens (1/1) if you win. However, if the dealer doesn’t qualify, the Play bet doesn’t pay.
If you get a Straight or better, the Ante Bonus 3 Card Poker odds kick in:
| Hand | Payout |
| Straight Flush | 5/1 |
| Three of a Kind | 4/1 |
| Straight | 1/1 |
If you play the side bets, these are settled as soon as the cards are revealed and pay out as follows:
| Pair Plus Payouts | |
| Straight Flush | 40/1 |
| Three of a Kind | 30/1 |
| Straight | 5/1 |
| Flush | 4/1 |
| Pair | 1/1 |
| 6 Card Bonus Payouts | |
| Royal Flush | 1,000/1 |
| Straight Flush | 200/1 |
| Four of a Kind | 50/1 |
| Full House | 25/1 |
| Flush | 20/1 |
| Straight | 10/1 |
| Three of a Kind | 5/1 |
3 Card Poker Tips
While the game doesn’t involve many decisions, there is still room for 3 Card Poker strategy. Here’s some 3 Card Poker tips and tricks to try:
- Play Q, 6, 4 or better
- Fold anything less
- Watch those hand rankings
- Play side bets sparingly
- Always play responsibly
Try 3 Card Poker
3 Card Poker is a great little card game if you’re looking for something short, snappy, and fun. There are fewer actions involved than, say, Blackjack, and fewer cards than player v player and video poker. Try it out for yourself. I highly recommend Evolution’s live Three Card Poker.
Note: Remember, the house will always have the edge. The outcome of games is always entirely based on luck. Never try to recover losses by gambling more.
FAQs
To play 3 Card Poker, first place an Ante bet. Check your cards then place a Play bet to play on, or fold. If your three card poker hand beats the dealer’s, you win.
The best 3 Card Poker hand is a Straight Flush, which is three consecutive cards of the same suit.
Yes! Knowing which cards to play and which to fold can have a significant impact on your game. A good 3 Card Poker strategy involves playing Q, 6, 4 or better and folding anything less to minimise losses.
