If you have never played before, 3 Card Brag can seem a little unfamiliar. Although it shares some similarities with poker, it follows its own ranking system and has a few traditional rules that set it apart.
The order of hands is what determines the winner of each round, so it is important to understand how they are ranked from strongest to weakest.
In this guide, we will go through the hand rankings step by step, explain what each one means, and give clear examples. Once you know the order, the game can become much easier to follow and you will be able to see where your cards stand in relation to others at the table.
Three Card Brag Hand Rankings
The aim in 3 Card Brag is simple: to form the highest-ranking three-card hand. Each round, the winner is decided by comparing hand rankings, not by how the cards were dealt. The order of these hands is different to five-card poker, so it can be worth learning carefully.
Below, we will move through each type of hand in order, starting with the strongest.
Prial
A prial, short for “pair royal”, is the highest hand in 3 Card Brag. It means three cards of the same rank, such as 7-7-7 or Q-Q-Q.
One traditional quirk of Brag is that three 3s are ranked as the top prial, even stronger than A-A-A. After that, the order runs down through Aces, Kings, Queens, and so on, until 2-2-2, which is the lowest prial.
Example: if you are dealt 3-3-3, no other hand can beat you in most versions of the game.
Running Flush
The second-best hand is a running flush. This means three cards in consecutive order, all of the same suit. For example: 5♥-6♥-7♥.
An unusual point in Brag is that the sequence A-2-3 is ranked as the highest running flush, even higher than A-K-Q. After that, runs continue in descending order, ending with 4-3-2 as the lowest.
Run
A run is three consecutive cards in sequence, but not of the same suit. For example: 9♣-10♦-J♠.
As with the running flush, A-2-3 is considered the strongest run, followed by A-K-Q, then K-Q-J, and so on down the order. The lowest run is 4-3-2.
Flush
A flush is when you hold three cards of the same suit that are not in a sequence. An example would be 2♠-6♠-10♠.
When comparing two flushes, the hand with the highest single card wins. If those are equal, the next highest card is compared, and so on. For example, Q♥-9♥-5♥ beats J♥-10♥-8♥ because the Queen is higher than the Jack.
Pair
A pair means two cards of the same rank plus one unmatched card. For example: 8♦-8♠-K♣.
Pairs are ranked by the value of the matching cards. So, a pair of Aces beats a pair of Kings, and so on down to a pair of 2s. If two players hold the same pair, the third card (known as the “kicker”) is compared.
High Card
If you do not have any of the above hands, then you are left with a high card. This simply means your strongest card decides the ranking. For example, K-9-4 would beat Q-J-10, because the King is higher than the Queen, even though the other two cards are close in value.
If two players have the same highest card, the second card is compared, and then the third if needed.
What Is The Best Hand In 3 Card Brag?
The best possible hand in 3 Card Brag is a prial of 3s. This unusual rule comes from traditional Brag and is one of the key differences from other card games. After that comes a prial of Aces, then Kings, and so on. 
It is important to remember that while hand rankings decide the outcome, 3 Card Brag is a game of chance. Cards are dealt randomly, and no decision you make can guarantee a win. Some casinos or online versions may use slightly different rules, so it may be worth checking how hands are ranked before you play.
If you choose to play 3 Card Brag in a casino, keep in mind that it is a game of chance. Outcomes cannot be predicted, and winnings can never be guaranteed. If you decide to play:
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Only stake what you are comfortable losing.
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Take breaks and treat it as a form of entertainment, not a way to make money.
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Check the rules of the game before playing, as they may vary between casinos.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.