Three Card Poker is a poker-based casino table game, played with a regular deck of fifty-two cards. The game has two parts. The first part of the game is the ‘ante and play’ part of the game. The second part is the ‘pair plus’ part of the game, and requires a separate wager. When you know how to play 3 card poker, it is one of the easiest casino games to enjoy.

The Deal

The table is set up with three betting sections and a section for cards for each player. The betting sections are divided into ‘ante,’ ‘play,’ and ‘pairs plus.’

To begin play, players place an ante wager, and they may also place a  pairs plus wager. After these wagers are placed, each player receives three cards. Like in blackjack and other table games, play is against the dealer and not against other players. Players look at their hands and determine whether to place a bet or to fold. The play bet must be equal to the initial ante bet.

Hand Rankings

The dealer’s hand only qualifies if it has a queen or better. If it does not have a queen or better, then every player who has not folded receives even money on their ante bet, and the play bet is returned to them. If the dealer’s hand qualifies, the hands are compared. A straight flush is the best possible hand, followed by three-of-a-kind, a straight, a flush, a pair, and a high card hand.

If there is a tie, the player wins the hand. There are also bonuses paid on straight flushes, three-of-a-kind, and straights. The bonus is paid only on the ante. The payouts vary from casino to casino. Some casinos pay as high as five to one for a straight flush. Four to one is also common.

For three-of-a-kind, four to one or three to one are common payouts. For a straight, the payout is even money.

Pairs Plus

In 3 card poker, if you make a side bet on pairs plus, you get a payout on every hand that has pairs or better, whether or not the dealer qualifies. This includes any hand that has a pair, a straight, a flush, three-of-a-kind, or a straight flush. The pay table for how much you get varies from casino to casino, but it is common for a straight flush to pay 40:1, while a pair pays even money. Three-of-a-kind can pay 30:1 or 25:1 depending upon the casino. A straight will usually pay 6:1, but some casinos will pay 5:1. A flush usually pays 4:1, but some casinos pay 3:1. Be aware that this seems like a small difference, but this variation in the payout table raises the house edge by a significant amount, because flushes are very common. Pairs generally pay even money.

Hopefully this intorduction has thought you how to play 3 card poker. Next we recommend you read our page dedicated to 3 card poker strategy so you can learn the most effective basic strategy for the game.