3 Card Poker Rules
About The 3 Card Poker Game
In 1994, Mr. Derek Webb introduced a revolutionary concept known as the 3 Card Poker. His intention was to enhance the poker-playing experience by offering a more streamlined and efficient alternative to existing games. While poker is undeniably enjoyable and intellectually stimulating, it does have one drawback—it can sometimes be perceived as slow-paced by some people. Thus, the ingenious creation of 3 Card Poker sought to address this concern by delivering a game that encapsulated the thrill and mental agility of traditional poker, but in a faster and more exhilarating form. By learning the rules of three-card poker, you get the opportunity to elevate your overall poker experience to new heights. Before discussing the 3 card poker rules, let us first understand its difficulty level and how it’s played.
Is 3 Card Poker Easy?
Yes, 3 Card Poker is not just a fun game but it’s also easy to learn and play.
How to Play 3-Card Poker at Home?
- When starting a game of poker, the player begins by placing an ante wager and/or a pair plus wager, expressing their confidence in obtaining a hand of at least a pair or better.
- Next, three cards are dealt face down to each player, as well as to the dealer. It’s important to note that you’re solely competing against the dealer, rather than other players at the table.
- Once the player receives their hand, they assess its strength and decide whether to place a play wager, which should be equal to the amount they initially wagered as the ante.
- This play wager will determine the outcome of the player’s hand in comparison to the dealer’s hand. According to optimal strategy, it is advisable for the player to “play” any hand greater than Queen, Six, and Four while folding any weaker hands.
- If the player has chosen to fold, the hand is concluded, and the dealer then collects both the player’s ante wager & pair plus wager.
- Conversely, if the player opts to place a play wager, the cards are revealed to determine whether the player’s hand surpasses that of the dealer.
- Should the dealer’s hand be Jack-high or lower, the play wager is returned to the player. In an event where the dealer holds a Queen-high hand or better than that, both the play wager as well as the ante are paid out at a 1:1 ratio, provided the player possesses a superior hand.
- In the event that the dealer’s hand prevails, both the ante and play bets are collected by the dealer.
Also See: 3 5 7 Card Game
3 Card Poker Rules
Let’s go through the fundamental rules to get started which are pretty different from the Texas Hold’em rules.
First and foremost, it’s crucial to adjust your bet sizes based on your 3-card poker bankroll. Maintaining a relative balance between your bets and available funds ensures a strategic approach to the game.
In the event that you place a bet and the dealer’s hand doesn’t contain a Queen or a higher-ranking card, the dealer is unable to participate. This scenario works in your favor, resulting in a victory for your Ante bet, while your Play bet remains unaffected, neither winning nor losing, regardless of how your hand compares to the dealer’s.
However, if the dealer does possess a Queen high or better, your goal is to outperform the dealer’s hand to secure a win. When victorious, both your Ante bet and Play bet will be rewarded. Conversely, if you find yourself on the losing side, the dealer will claim both of your bets.
While the hand rankings in three-card poker closely resemble those of traditional poker, there are a few distinctions when it comes to 3 card poker rules. Notably, with only three cards in play, a straight holds a higher value than a flush. The highest-ranking hands consist of the illustrious little royal flush (AKQ) and straight flush. Following these, you’ll find three of a kind, a regular flush, a pair, and finally, the high card.
In the event that your highest card matches the dealer’s highest card, the tiebreaker as per the 3 card poker rules relies on the second-highest card, followed by the third-highest card. Should your hand and the dealer’s hand prove to be exactly the same, the result is a tie, and both bets will push, leaving the outcome unchanged.
What Hands Win in 3-Card Poker?
The hand rankings in Three Card Poker are straightforward. The objective is to have the highest-ranked cards in your hand to secure a win. It’s important to note that the hand rankings in Three Card Poker differ slightly from those in regular poker.
In Three Card Poker, straights have a higher ranking than flushes, whereas, in five-card games, it is the opposite, with flushes outranking straights. This distinction is due to the different probabilities of forming these hands in each game variant.
Now, let’s explore the hand rankings from best to worst in Three Card Poker:
Straight Flush: This hand consists of three cards of consecutive value and belonging to the same suit. For example, a hand like K❤️-Q❤️-J❤️ would be a straight flush.
3 of a Kind: In this hand, all three cards match and have equal value. For instance, a hand with three 8s (8-8-8) would be a 3-of-a-kind.
Straight: A straight consists of three cards of consecutive value, regardless of their suit. An example of a straight would be a hand like 7-8-9.
Flush: This hand comprises three cards of the same suit, without requiring consecutive values. For example, a hand with A♦️-10♦️-4♦️ would be a flush.
Pair: A pair consists of two cards with matching values, accompanied by a third card known as a “kicker.” An example would be a hand with two Aces (A-A-6).
High Card: This category encompasses non-paired cards that lack any consecutive order or matching suits between them. For instance, a hand like K❤️-8♦️-4♣️ would be a high card hand.
How Do You Win at 3-Card Poker?
Here are some 3-card poker winning strategies that you should be following to bag maximum wins:
To increase your chances of winning at 3 Card Poker, it’s important to keep a few key strategies in mind:
Know the hand rankings. Familiarize yourself with the hand rankings in 3 Card Poker and understand which hands hold a higher value. This will help you make informed decisions while playing.
Play with optimal strategy. Follow the optimal strategy recommended for 3 Card Poker. This typically involves playing hands with a Queen, Six, and Four or higher, while folding weaker hands. Adhering to this strategy can maximize your winning potential.
Consider Pair Plus and Ante Bonus bets. While the main focus is on the Ante and Play bets, you may also choose to place Pair Plus and Ante Bonus bets. These additional wagers provide an opportunity for extra winnings but remember to assess the odds and payouts before deciding.
Observe the dealer’s hand. Pay attention to the face-up card of the dealer. This information can give you insight into the potential strength of the dealer’s hand and influence your decision to play or fold.
Practice and gain experience. Yeah yeah, we know you’ve heard this multiple times but like any other game, practice is key to improving your skills, and the case for 3 Card Poker is no different. Take advantage of free play or demo versions online to hone your strategies and gain confidence before playing with real money.
How Many Cards Are in 3-Card Poker?
As the name suggests, 3-Card Poker is played with a total of three cards for each player and the dealer. Each player receives three cards face down, and the dealer also receives three cards, one of which is dealt face up. These three cards are used to determine the outcome of the game and compare the hands between the player and the dealer.
The number of Decks used to play 3 Card Poker is two, each consisting of 52 cards with backs having the same design.
What Is the Best Bet in 3 Card Poker? | What’s the Best 3 Card Hand?
The A-K-Q hand A.K.A. a mini-royal flush and the straight flush are the top hand rankings, followed by 3-of-a-kind, straight, flush, pair, and finally high card.
Is Three Card Poker Luck?
While there is quite the luck element in three-card poker, it won’t be right to say that it is just based on luck. The skill element is also involved in the hand-selection process.
Is 3 Card Poker Profitable? | Payouts
Yes, 3 Card Poker is profitable. In fact, it is considered to be the most profitable proprietary table game to ever exist. Given below are the payouts of 3-Card Poker:
Pair Plus Payouts:
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Straight Flush | 40:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 30:1 |
| Straight | 6:1 |
| Flush | 3:1 |
| Pair | 1:1 |
Ante Bonus Payouts:
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Straight Flush | 5:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 4:1 |
| Straight | 1:1 |
What Is 6 Card Bonus in 3 Card Poker?
In this version of three-card poker, players have the opportunity to combine their three cards with the dealer’s three cards. The ultimate winner is determined by comparing the best five-card hand between the player and the dealer. The ranking of hand combinations varies slightly in this variation. Here is the simplified order of rankings:
- Royal Flush: A hand with 9, 10, J, Q, K, and A of the same suit.
- Straight Flush: All cards belonging to the same suit, which are in sequence.
- Four of a Kind: 4 cards that have the same number but different suits, of course.
- Full House: A pair combined with a three-of-a-kind.
- Flush: Cards of the same suit but not in sequence.
- Straight: Cards in sequence but of different suits.
- Three of a Kind: Three cards with the same number but different suits.
- Non-winners: Hand combinations that do not meet any of the criteria above.
Here are the 3 Card Poker 6 Card Bonus Odds for The Remaining Hand Combinations
| Hand Combination | Odds |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 1000 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 200 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 100 to 1 |
| Full House | 20 to 1 |
| Flush | 15 to 1 |
| Straight | 10 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 7 to 1 |
The 3 Card Poker 6 Card Bonus uses six cards instead of three because it allows for a significantly larger number of possible hand combinations. While the three-card version has only 22,100 combinations, the six-card version boasts 203,585,520 potential combinations. When considering these combinations along with the rankings, we have:
3 Card Poker 6 Card Bonus Combinations
| Hand Combination | Combinations |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 188 |
| Straight Flush | 1,656 |
| Four of a Kind | 14,664 |
| Full House | 165,984 |
| Flush | 205,792 |
| Straight | 361,620 |
| Three of a Kind | 732,160 |
| Non-Winners | 188,764,456 |