How to Play 3 Card Poker
To start a game of three card poker you must place a bet. There are two bets a player can make that will influence the game payout: Ante and Pair Plus. The dealer will deal three cards face down to you and three cards to himself.
The ante bet works the same way as it does in conventional poker. The Pair Plus is a wager that the player will get at least a pair or higher. Payout for Pair Plus bets are listed below. It is not necessary to make both bets.
Once the cards are dealt you then need to determine whether your cards are good enough to bet against the dealer or fold. If the you fold at this stage, you lose the ante. If you decide to test your cards against the dealer, you must place a wager equal to the ante on the table. If you win the hand, the hand pays both the Ante and the Pair Plus wager (if applicable).
The dealer must have at least Queen High to qualify. Anything lower is an automatic win for the player providing the you have not folded.
3 Card Poker Payoffs
When calculating a win or loss, there are three things to consider: Pair Plus result, Ante result, and the Play result (did the dealer qualify).
Pair Plus Payoffs are as follows
- Pair 1 to 1
- Flush 4 to 1
- Straight 6 to 1
- Three of a Kind 30 to 1
- Straight Flush pays 40 to 1
Ante Bonus Payoffs are as follows
- Straight 1 to 1
- Three of a Kind 4 to 1
- Straight Flush 5 to 1
Different Hand Results Payoff as follows
If the dealer does not qualify (Queen High):
Ante wins, Play bet is returned 1 to 1
Dealer qualifies and player beats dealer:
Both Play and ante win 1 to 1 and 4 to 1
Game Notes
Straights have a higher ranking than a flush, as there are fewer ways to make a three-card straight. Aces can be either high or low.
Quick Playing Strategy for 3 Card Poker
Play on any hand you are dealt that contains Q,6,4 or higher. Don't raise with anything lower than this. |
