Card games are a staple of casinos, and the same is true for online casinos. Today, we’ll be discussing a game called 3 Card Brag, Brag, or Three Card Brag.
Keep reading to learn how to play 3 Card Brag from our Wizard Slots blog post below.
What Is 3 Card Brag?
3 Card Brag is a game where players in the group go through a round of betting, and players left in the game at the end compare hands. The player with the best hand at the showdown wins the pot. A player may also win if all other players fold.
You can play Three Card Brag with at least 2 players and up to 8 players.
3 Card Brag is a descendant of the casino game of Primero.
How To Play 3 Card Brag
The objective is to get the best three-card hand. This is how to play 3 Card Brag:
All the players place an ante bet.
The dealer deals three face-down cards to every player, one at a time. Players shouldn’t reveal their hand to anyone else.
Betting starts from the dealer’s left. Players have to either bet or fold at their turn. You need to place a bet within the maximum and minimum betting limits, but it needs to match the previous player’s bet or be higher. If you can’t match the bet, you must fold.
Betting continues around the group until only one or two players remain. If two players remain, a new betting option emerges. It’s called the ‘see’ and involves a player placing twice the amount of the previous bet to see the other player’s cards.
If you make a ‘see’ bet, you can view the other player’s cards. The player reveals their cards. If your hand is better, you’ll need to show it too.
In addition, if you have an equal or weak hand, you can fold without revealing your cards. Then, if you both draw, the player who made a ‘see’ bet loses.
You can play 3 Card Brag at some online casinos. So, check your preferred UK online casino or slot site to see if they offer the game. These are the possible hands you can have in Three Card Brag:
Three-of-a-kind (prial): A hand of 3 cards, all of the same rank.
Running flush: A running flush is a set of three cards in a sequence in the same suit. For example, A-2-3, A-K-Q, etc.
Run: Three cards in sequence, but of different suits. A running flush beats a run.
Flush: Three cards in the same suit. So, three diamonds count as a flush.
Pair: A pair is any two cards of the same rank.
High Card: A three-card hand that doesn’t form any of the above combinations. So, the highest card in the hand is the high card.
3 Card Brag Rules
The game uses a deck of 52 playing cards without jokers. Anywhere from 2 to 8 players can play 3 Card Brag.
Cards are shuffled only once at the beginning of the game or after a winning three-card hand. Game rounds typically last from 5 to 10 minutes.
The game’s objective is to be the last player standing or have the best three-card hand at the end of the round. However, you also have the option to brag (bluff) your way to the end of the game. For example, you can bluff by lying about the value of your hand to deceive players into believing your hand is stronger and forcing them to fold.
Consider establishing a few things before starting a Three Card Brag game. For example:
- The minimum & maximum bet values.
- The initial stake (ante) - i.e. the amount everyone must contribute to the pot before each round.
- The bet limits for each player.
- Any extra rules like the use of wilds.
3 Card Brag Variations
There are many different 3 Card Brag variations, with people playing by slightly different rules. So, some rules may change depending on which type of 3 Card Brag you play. For example:
5 Card Brag
Players receive 5 cards before the game starts. They place their bets and then request new cards if they want to discard those in hand. You can discard two cards only. Another round of betting follows. Any players still standing show their cards. If anyone has the best hand, they win the pot.
5 Card Brag may offer more relaxed rules like:
- Inclusion of wild cards. Players can decide the number and type of cards they want wild.
- Betting limits. Players can add no limits, maximum and minimum limits, or set a pot limit.
- Playing lowball. If nobody has a strong hand, players can incorporate playing lowball. This is when they try to get the lowest hand possible. So, they eliminate straights and flushes while Aces switch from high to low.
7 Card Brag
Players are dealt 7 cards. They must choose three cards to play or make two hands. A win is only possible if both hands win the pot.
9 Card Brag
Players receive 9 cards which they sort into three sets. They play four ante bets: one for each split set and one for the main pot. Each set plays without extra bets. If you win, you receive one set of antes, but if you win all three sets, you win the main pot too.
However, if no one wins all three, the main pot remains for a new round. Therefore, many players try to always play the best set.
15 Card Brag
This variation is played as a family game. Each player receives fifteen cards. You can discard one card only. The goal is to make five three-card hands.
Afterwards, players lay theirs down from highest to lowest. The winner is the person who has the most successful hands.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to this game are subject to change at any time.
