Poker is a popular card game that can be played in various forms, including 3-card poker. This poker guide will explain the rules and hands of 3-card poker and how payouts work in the game.
What Is 3 Card Poker?
3-card poker is a variation of the traditional game of poker that is played with only three cards. The game is played against the dealer rather than against other players. Its goal is to have a better hand than the dealer or to place a bonus bet and have a specific poker hand.
However, the odds are mostly in the house's favour. However, some players may find a thrill in that.
How Do You Play 3 Card Poker?
To play 3-card poker, you first place your bet. That can be ante-play or pair plus. The ante-play bets against the dealer's hand, whereas the pair plus bets against yourself.
Once your bet is placed, you receive three cards, and the dealer also receives three cards, face down.
You then have the option to fold or make a play. If you fold, you lose your ante bet. However, if you play a bet, it must equal your ante bet. The dealer then reveals their cards and determines if they have a qualifying hand.
A qualifying hand is a hand with a queen or higher. If the dealer does not have a qualifying hand, the ante bet is paid out to you, and the play bet is returned. If the dealer does have a qualifying hand, your hand is compared to the dealer's hand.
If you have a better hand, you receive a payout on both your ante and play bets, but if the dealer has a better hand, you lose both your ante and play bets.
3 Card Poker Hands (And Their Rankings)
In 3-card poker, there are a few different hands that can you can form, and they are slightly different from regular poker. Below are some of the hands, ranked in order of strongest to weakest:
- Straight Flush: Three cards of the same suit in a sequence. For example, a hand with the cards 4 of hearts, 5 of hearts, and 6 of hearts is a straight flush. A Straight Flush outranks all other hands.
- 3-of-a-kind: Three cards of the same rank. For example, a hand with the cards 7 of clubs, 7 of hearts, and 7 of spades are a 3-of-a-kind. A 3-of-a-kind hand outranks the Straight, Flush or Pair.
- Straight: Three cards in a sequence, but not of the same suit. For example, a Straight is a hand with the cards 4 of clubs, 5 of hearts, and 6 of diamonds. A Straight beats a Flush.
How 3 Card Poker Payouts Work
In 3-card poker, a couple of different payouts can be earned. The base game payouts are as follows:
- Ante bet: If your hand beats the dealer's hand, the ante bet pays out at 1:1 odds.
- Play bet: If your hand beats the dealer's hand, the play bet also pays out at 1:1 odds.
Additionally, you may receive an ante bonus bet payout if the hand you won has a 3-of-a-kind. These bonuses could be:
- Straight Flush, which has a 5:1 payout.
- 3-of-a-kind, which has a 4:1 payout.
- Straight, which has a 1:1 payout.
3 Card Poker Pair Plus Payouts
The Pair Plus betting option in 3-card poker is a side bet that pays out if you have a pair or better in your hand. The payouts for this bet vary depending on the strength of your hand. For example, a straight flush pays out at 40 to 1, while a pair, on the other hand, pays out at 1 to 1.
3 Card Poker Ante Bonus Payouts
The Ante Bonus betting option in 3-card poker is a base bet that pays out if your hand is straight or better. Like the pair plus bets, the payouts for this type of bet also vary depending on the strength of your hand.
A straight flush pays out at 5 to 1, while a 3-of-a-kind pays out at 4 to 1, then a Straight pays out at 1 to 1.
3 Card Poker 6 Card Bonus Payouts
The 6 Card Bonus betting option in 3-card poker is a side bet that pays out if your hand and the dealer's hand combine to form a five-card poker hand of a straight or better. For example, if your hand is a pair of 10s and the dealer's hand is a queen and a king, you would have a Straight.
The payouts for this bet would either be a six-card straight flush paying out at 1000:1, a six-card flush paying out at 200:1, or a six-card straight paying out at 40:1.
Progressive 3 Card Poker Payouts
In some online casinos, 3-card poker also offers a progressive jackpot betting option, which allows you the chance to win a large payout if you hit a specific hand. The payouts for this option also vary, but they can be potentially substantial.
3 Card Poker Rules
3-card poker is a fast-paced and exciting casino game that allows you to win big payouts while playing against the house.
The rules are as follows:
- You play the game with a standard deck of 52 cards.
- You must try to beat the dealer's hand by having the highest-ranking hand.
- The game has 2 different betting options.
- The base bet is the ante bet, which begins the game. After this, you have the option to place a pair plus bet, which pays out if your hand contains at least a pair.
- Then the dealer places 3 cards facedown.
- The dealer then reveals their cards and compares them to your hand.
- You win if your hand outranks the dealer's hand.
What Are The Odds of Winning In 3 Card Poker?
In all casino games, the odds of winning are usually in the house's favour. The same goes for the 3-card poker game. In general, the odds of getting a high-ranking hand (such as a Straight Flush or a 3-of-a-kind) are relatively low, but the payouts for these hands are high.
The odds of getting a pair or better are also relatively low, but the payouts for these hands are also quite high.
Additionally, the odds of winning in 3-card poker are affected by the game's specific rules. For example, some versions of the game have a "bonus" payout for certain hands, while others do not.
Additionally, the odds of winning can be affected by the number of decks used in the game.
What Is The House Edge In 3 Card Poker?
The house edge is the percentage of each bet that the casino expects to keep over time. The specific house edge in 3-card poker varies depending on the game's specific rules, but in general, it is relatively low compared to other pay by mobile casino games.
The house edge in 3-card poker can be affected by a number of factors, including the specific rules of the game, your ante bet wager, and the payouts for different hands.
Generally, the house edge in 3-Card Poker is lower if the payouts for high-ranking hands are higher. So, if you bet on the ante bet alone, the house edge is around 3.37% and 2.01% for the play bet.
3 Card Poker FAQ
Is 3 Card Poker a Good Game?
This comes down to personal preference when it comes to live casino games, but by all accounts, 3-card poker is as good as any table casino game. It may be ideal for those that like poker but are looking for something a bit different.
Where Can You Play 3 Card Poker?
Many in-person and online casinos have 3-card poker available to play. Although Wizard Slots online casino doesn't have any 3-card poker games, we have an impressive selection of other incredible online casino games.
Can You Play 3 Card Poker For Real Money?
Yes, you can play 3-card poker with real money for the chance to win real money.
What Are The Best Hands In 3 Card Poker?
A Straight Flush, 3-of-a-kind, a Straight, and a Flush are some of the best 3-card poker hands.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to this slot game are subject to change at any time.
