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Poker has a lot of variations available. Pai Gow Poker, Caribbean Poker, and Texas Hold ’em are just a few of the options online and in casinos. One of the more recent variants is Three Card Poker. Invented in the mid-90s by Derek Webb, Three Card Poker is designed to provide simple rules, larger payouts, and the speed of other table games.
If you’re not sure about the rules or strategy, we’ve got you covered. Check out our Three Card Poker Guide and get the tips that you need to start playing today.
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Three Card Poker Guide: Rules, Strategy & Tips to Win
Three Card Poker Guide: How the game is played
The game is played as heads-up between the dealer’s hand and the player’s hand. The game starts with an initial ante from the players. Then, three cards are dealt to each player and the dealer.
Players have the option of folding and losing their ante or placing a ‘play’ wager that matches their ante to continue. After all players decide, hands are shown, and bets are resolved.
Three Card Poker Guide: Rules
The dealer must have a Queen high or better to continue the hand. If the dealer doesn’t have at least a Queen high, all bets are paid at a 1:1 ratio.
If the dealer can play, and the player has a weaker hand, the player loses both the ante and the ‘play’ wager. However, if the dealer plays and the player has the stronger hand, both the ante and the ‘play’ wager are paid out at a 1:1 ratio.
Both wagers are returned to the player in the event of a push.
Three Card Poker Guide: Payouts
In addition to playing heads-up against the dealer, the player can also earn ante bonuses based on the strength of their hand.
At most in-person and online casinos, a 1-to-1 bonus is paid for a straight, and a 4-to-1 bonus is paid for a three-of-a-kind. A straight flush gets a 5-to-1 bonus at most online or in-person casinos. These bonuses are typically paid outside of what happens with the dealer’s hand.
Some tables also offer an opportunity for an additional wager on a pair-or-better. This is exactly what it sounds like. If you choose to make the bonus bet and get a pair or better, you receive a 1:1 bonus. Much like the ante bonuses, the pair-or-better bonus is paid outside of what occurs with the dealer’s hand.
Three Card Poker Guide: Betting Strategy
Since you’re only playing against the dealer, you don’t need to worry about other players. This means that you don’t need to concern yourself with how other players are playing or where their stack is at. You can just focus on the dealer and make the best decisions for your own hand. Three Card Poker is a lot like blackjack in this regard.
One of the best ways to bet is only to make the ‘play’ bet if you have a hand with a Queen high or better. If you can’t beat what the dealer needs to stay in the game, you’re better off not playing. You lose the ante, but a detailed study showed that most hands that get a Queen high or better are just under 70%. This means that nearly seven out of 10 hands are playable on average.
You’re handing back three antes in 10 hands, but you’re in position to win twice as much as an ante in seven hands. Staying in a good position and staying out of bad positions is key to staying in the game. This strategy limits bad positions and helps get you into good positions.
Three Card Poker Guide: Budget Management
When playing Three Card Poker, bankroll management is absolutely key. Don’t chase losses by doubling your bet, and stick to the budget you’ve set aside. Maintaining discipline in your budget will extend your play, minimize losses, and keep you from making mistakes that can impact your play. Card games are mental as much as they are strategic. Keep your focus on the game, don’t make decisions based on emotion, and stick to your game plan. You’ll be better off in the long run, especially if you want to improve your game.
It’s also advisable to stay away from bonus bets. Getting a pair in a three-card hand occurs in just under 17 out of 100 hands. It’s actually a negative expected value if you play it every time. Stick to the ante and the play bets, and consider any ante bonuses as exactly that. Just a bonus.
Keep in mind that your time playing online or at a table shouldn’t cause additional stress. You get enough of that from work, family, and sports gambling. If your blood pressure is rising, get up, take a walk, throw on your earphones, and listen to the latest episode of the Sports Gambling Podcast, but always remember to let it ride!
