Mastering the Basics: How to Play 3 Card Poker Like a Pro

Whether you’re a big fan of Texas Hold’em or want to try out a new game, look no further than 3 Card Poker!

Getting Started: What is 3 Card Poker?

3 Card Poker is a variant of traditional poker games created by international player Derek Webb in 1994. As the average (recreational) poker game can take up to a few hours, Webb was looking to design a poker game that could be played quickly.

This means that the gameplay remains relatively straightforward. Read on to discover how to become a 3 Card Poker pro in no time!

3 Card Poker: The Basics.

OBJECTIVE.

The objective of 3 Card Poker is not entirely dissimilar to the objective of playing a traditional poker game: players must work to build the best possible hand. However, as the name suggests, in this variation of the game, they must work to do so using only three hands.

CARDS.

Three Card Poker is played using a 52-deck of cards. They are valued as follows (high-low): Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.

HANDS.

There are 22,100 possible hand combinations when playing three-card poker. However, you should be on the lookout for the following:

• Straight Flush. A hand containing three consecutive cards of the same suit. For example, this could include a Jack, Queen, and King of Clubs.
• Three Of A Kind. A hand containing three cards of the same rank. For example, this could include three Aces.
• Straight. A hand containing three consecutive cards of different suits. This could include an eight of hearts, a nine of spades, and a ten of clubs.
• Flush. A hand consisting of three cards of the same suit, though not in consecutive order. For example, this could include a 2, eight, and King.
• Pair. A hand consisting of two cards of the same rank. For example, this could include two cards of the same rank.

BETS.

Three bets are played during a game of poker: Ante, Pair Plus, and Play Bet.

• Ante. A forced bet played at the start of the game before players have been dealt their card. (Fun fact: Ante is Latin for before.)
• Pair Plus. The second bet played during the game, for which players will receive an additional bonus if their hand contains a pair of cards.
• Play Bet. The third bet played after the cards have been revealed. This must be equal to your ante.

PAYOUT.

The amount of money (or chips) you’ll receive when winning a bet can vary. However, as a general rule, payouts are as follows:

• Pair Plus Bets:
• Straight Flush: 40:1
• Three of a Kind: 30:1
• Straight: 5:1
• Flush: 4:1
• Pair: 1:1
• Ante Bets:
• Straight Flush: 5:1
• Three of a Kind: 4:1
• Straight: 3:1

Basic Rules and Gameplay of 3 Card Poker

1. 3 Card Poker can be played with a minimum of two players and a maximum of eight (in addition to a dealer). The game begins with each player placing their first bet, known as the ante-bet.
2. Players are then given the chance to place their Pair Plus Wager.
3. The dealer then deals three cards face-down to each player. (Note: Dealers are included in the game play, meaning they will receive three cards too).
4. Players must then decide whether to place a Play Bet. This must be equal to their Ante bet. If they do not choose to place a bet, they fold and are taken out of the game.
5. The remaining players reveal their cards, including the dealer, triggering the next stage of gameplay. In order for the dealer to get involved in the next stage of gameplay, they must have a card valued equal to or higher than a Queen in their hand.
6. If the dealer does not have a Queen, then the remaining players will all receive 1:1 on their Ante bets.
7. If the dealer does have a Queen or higher, then players compare hands. The player with the highest-ranking hand wins. If a player places a Pair Plus bet, they will receive this payout regardless of their performance against the dealer.

How to Play 3 Card Poker at a Casino

The vast majority of Casinos will have a 3 Card Poker station. However, it is worth noting that in these cases, you may have to be willing to bet a minimum amount of money to earn a seat at the table. This is why many players opt to play 3 Card Poker and other variations online: to enjoy the thrill of poker without having to take any kind of financial risk.

Playing 3 Card Poker in Vegas: What You Need to Know

• Familarize yourself with the rules ahead of time, so that you know what to expect during the game.
• Practise three-card poker online ahead of time so that you can refine your skills.
• Many casinos will require patrons to bet a minimum amount of money during a game. Give yourself a budget ahead of time and ensure that you do not exceed this.

Understanding How Three Card Poker Works

If you’re used to playing traditional poker games, such as Texas Hold’em, you may find that three-card poker takes a little getting used to, even if the overall objective remains the same. However, the key to understanding the game often lies in experience. This means that the more time you spend playing three-card poker, the better player you’ll become. This is because you’ll understand how the rules apply to practical gameplay, as opposed to simply understanding how the game works from a theoretical standpoint.

Tips for Winning at 3 Card Poker

While Poker will always come down to chance (as you have no way of controlling the cards that you are dealt), there are certain steps that you can take to increase your chances of winning at 3 card poker.

Firstly, as mentioned above, the first step towards becoming a more competent poker player is to keep playing. This will help you develop a wide range of skills while sharpening your understanding of the game, whether you’re playing in person or online.

You should also learn the value of each card and the specific hands that you should be on the lookout for. This can help you decide whether or not you should place a Play Bet or if you should fold in order to protect your best interests. While there’s always going to be a little bit of risk involved in this kind of casino game, you should be able to recognize when certain hands (and certain payoffs) are simply not worth the risk associated with them, especially if you are playing with real money.

Dealing 3 Card Poker Like a Pro

3 Card Poker requires the dealer to take an active role in gameplay. If this is a role you’re taking on during your next game night, you should familarize yourself with the rules tied to being a dealer ahead of time. For example, you should always ensure that the deck is shuffled thoroughly (at the start of the game and between rounds).

Cards should be dealt clockwise, starting with the player on your left. All players should receive three cards (including yourself), which must be placed face-down. The dealer should not look at their own cards until the remaining players have placed their Play Bet.

If players fold, the dealer receives their chips. However, Pair Play bets are paid out regardless (provided the player actually had a pair in their hands). If the dealer’s hand is better than the remaining player's hand, the dealer receives the chips. Otherwise, the bets and wagers are paid out to the corresponding players.

Three Card Poker: Final Thoughts.

Poker has been played for hundreds of years, so it is hardly surprising that numerous variations of this traditional game have cropped up over time. While relatively new when compared to other popular iterations, there’s a lot of fun to be had when playing three card poker. After all, it takes up considerably less time than a traditional poker game, which is often a little more convenient for casual players.

Despite the speed of the game, it's also a lot of fun, whether you’re playing directly against a dealer in a two player game or in a larger group. However, before getting started, you should be sure that you understand the rules, including the hand values and payout structures. This will inform your gameplay and increase the chances of winning.

You can play three card poker online or in person. As a general rule, it is best to start playing online. This is because you can play online for free so that you can work to develop your skills and understanding in a low-risk environment. Playing in person, unless playing casually with friends, requires a financial investment.

DISCLAIMER: The games on this website are using PLAY (fake) money. No payouts will be awarded, there are no "winnings", as all games represented by 247 Games LLC are free to play. Play strictly for fun.