Poker is a well-known card game enjoyed in many different versions, one of which is 3-Card Poker. This variation offers a generally faster-paced and more straightforward way to play, making it popular in both casinos and online platforms.
This guide outlines the basic rules, hand rankings, and how payouts work in 3-Card Poker. Read on to find out more about how the game is played and what to expect.
What Is 3 Card Poker?
3-Card Poker is a simplified version of traditional poker, where each player is dealt just three cards. Unlike many other poker games, players compete against the dealer rather than against each other. The main objective is to have a stronger hand than the dealer or to place a bonus bet on holding a specific poker hand.
It’s also worth noting that, as with most casino games, the odds generally favour the house.
How Do You Play 3 Card Poker?
In 3-Card Poker, bettors start by placing a bet on either the ante-play or the pair plus option. The ante-play bet is played against the dealer’s hand, while the Pair Plus bet is based solely on the player’s own cards.
Once the bets are placed, both the player and dealer receive three cards face down. At this point, bettors can choose to fold—losing their ante bet—or continue by placing a play bet equal to their ante. The dealer then reveals their cards to see if they have a qualifying hand, which means holding a queen or higher.
If the dealer does not qualify, the ante bet pays out, and the play bet is returned to the player. However, if the dealer does qualify, the hands are compared. A better hand wins payouts on both the ante and play bets, while a weaker hand results in a loss of both bets.
3 Card Poker Hands (And Their Rankings)
The hands in 3-Card Poker differ slightly from regular poker. Ranked from strongest to weakest:
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Straight Flush: Three cards of the same suit in sequence (e.g., 4, 5, 6 of hearts). This outranks all other hands.
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Three-of-a-Kind: Three cards of the same rank (e.g., three 7s). This outranks Straight, Flush, or Pair.
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Straight: Three cards in sequence but not the same suit (e.g., 4 of clubs, 5 of hearts, 6 of diamonds). A Straight beats a Flush.
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Flush: Three cards of the same suit, but not in sequence (e.g., 2, 6, 10 of spades). A Flush beats a Pair but loses to a Straight.
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Pair: Two cards of the same rank (e.g., two Kings). This outranks a High Card.
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High Card: When no other hand is made, the highest single card determines the hand's value.
How 3 Card Poker Payouts Work
Base game payouts include:
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Ante bet typically pays 1:1 if the hand beats the dealer
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Play bet typically pays 1:1 if the hand beats the dealer
Additionally, ante bonus payouts apply for hands of Straight or better:
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Straight Flush typically pays 5:1
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Three-of-a-Kind typically pays 4:1
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Straight typically pays 1:1
3 Card Poker Pair Plus Payouts
The Pair Plus side bet pays out if the player’s hand contains a Pair or better, regardless of the dealer’s cards. The payouts vary depending on the strength of the hand, with a Straight Flush typically paying 40:1, while a Pair usually pays 1:1.
3 Card Poker Ante Bonus Payouts
The Ante Bonus pays if the hand is Straight or better, with similar payouts to the ante bonus above:
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Straight Flush typically pays 5:1
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Three-of-a-Kind typically pays 4:1
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Straight typically pays 1:1
3 Card Poker 6 Card Bonus Payouts
The 6 Card Bonus pays if the player’s and dealer’s cards combine to form a five-card poker hand of Straight or better. Examples:
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Six-Card Straight Flush typically pays 1000:1
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Six-Card Flush typically pays 200:1
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Six-Card Straight typically pays 40:1.
Progressive 3 Card Poker Payouts
Some online casinos offer a progressive jackpot side bet in 3-Card Poker, which gives bettors the chance to try to win significantly larger payouts than the standard game. This jackpot typically grows over time as a small portion of each bet contributes to the prize pool, allowing for potentially substantial winnings.
The specific hands that qualify for the progressive jackpot and the payout amounts can vary between casinos, so if you choose to place this sort of side bet, it’s important to review the rules beforehand.
3 Card Poker Rules
The standard rules for 3 Card Poker are as follows:
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Played with a standard 52-card deck.
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The goal is to beat the dealer's hand.
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Two betting options: ante bet to start and optional Pair plus side bet.
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Dealer places three cards face down, then reveals and compares hands.
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Winning means having a higher-ranking hand than the dealer.
What Are The Odds of Winning In 3 Card Poker?
In 3-Card Poker, the odds generally favour the house, as is common in most casino games. High-ranking hands, such as a Straight Flush or Three-of-a-Kind, are relatively rare. The odds of being dealt a Straight Flush are about 1 in 460, while the odds of getting a Three-of-a-Kind are roughly 1 in 425. These hands offer higher potential payouts to reflect their difficulty.
The chances of getting a Pair or better—which includes Pairs, Straights, Flushes, Three-of-a-Kind, and Straight Flushes—are around 17.94%, meaning these hands occur more frequently. Because they are more common, the potential payouts for these hands tend to be lower.
It is also important to note that the specific rules and paytables used, as well as the number of decks in play, can slightly affect these odds and the house edge. For example, the classic version of 3-Card Poker typically has a house edge of around 3.37%, though this may vary with different paytables and game variants.
For these reasons, if you’re interested in playing, it is important to familiarise yourself with the particular version of 3-Card Poker you intend to play so you understand the exact odds and potential returns involved.
What Is The House Edge In 3 Card Poker?
The house edge represents the percentage of each bet that the casino expects to retain over time. In 3-Card Poker, this edge may vary depending on the specific rules and payout structures in place, but it is generally lower than in many other casino games.
Several factors influence the house edge, including the rules of the game, the size of the ante bet, and how different hands are paid out. Typically, the house edge stands at around 3.37% on the ante bet and about 2.01% on the play bet, making it a relatively potentially favourable option for players compared to some other casino offerings.
As always, if you choose to play 3 Card Poker, always keep responsible gambling practices in mind and never wager more than you are willing to lose.
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 who 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 a wide selection of other online casino games to explore if this sounds interesting to you.
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, Three-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 game 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.