How to Play 3 card Poker Game
How to Play 3 card Poker Game
How did the 3 Card Poker Game Start?
Derek Webb created the game in 1994. Webb is a professional poker player from the United Kingdom. Since its inception, the game has grown to become one of the most successful trademarked table games in various casinos. The game was tested in Las Vegas, the epicenter of all casino games. Despite mixed results in the first game, it went on to become a popular favorite of players in the state of Mississippi, United States. The game of 3 Card Poker is now a standard offering at both online and live casinos.
The game is quite simple and straightforward. The player competes against the dealer, and both are looking for the best three-card poker hand. If the player has the best hand, he defeats the dealer and wins his bet or bets. He proceeds to hit a premium hand, such as a Straight or Flush and is handsomely compensated. If the player loses to the dealer, he forfeits his bet or bets.
That’s all there is to it. Before you start playing, you should be aware that there are some ground rules to follow. Before you begin playing for real money, it is critical that you understand the rules. This blog post will teach you everything you need to know about these rules.
There are a variety of reasons why this game has become so popular. To begin with, it is quite simple to play. It also has a low house edge, giving players a good chance of winning. In other words, when compared to other casino games, you have a better chance of winning against the house.
Additionally, there are two ways to play the game, and players can select a wager with frequent payoffs. In other words, you can place a wager with the potential to win up to forty times your stake. The game also allows you to improve your results by using a simple strategy that you can learn in a short period of time. In this poker blog, we will look at the fundamental strategies involved in playing 3 Card Poker. After reading this, you should be able to play the game without any problems.
What is needed to Play 3 Card Poker?
A single deck of cards is used to play the game. Every hand, the deck of cards is shuffled. This process of shuffling the cards is the same whether you are playing on an online platform or in a live casino. In live casinos, the cards are shuffled automatically using an automatic shuffling machine. In live casinos, the standard seven-player blackjack table is the norm.
The table’s technical layout includes the following;
- 3 Card Poker’s logo
- The circular betting spot at the table is represented by the icon ‘Pair Plus.’
- Three card-shaped spaces are outlined in front of the dealer. This is where he keeps his playing cards.
- There is a diamond-shaped betting spot labeled ‘Ante.’
- There is another card-shaped betting spot with the word ‘Play’ written on it.\
- There are also pay tables designed for the Pair Plus bet as well as the ante bonus payoffs.
- At the start of the game, a brief explanation of the rules of the three-card poker game will be given to ensure that all players are on the same page of understanding.\
- Additionally, a part of the table that is next to the game dealer will enclose a placard that lets the player knows what the minimum and maximum bets are. For example, if the placard states that the minimum ante is $5, the Minimum Pair Plus bet is $5, and the Maximum is $100, it means that the player’s initial wagers would likely not be lower than $5 and not more than $100. In other words, the player’s wager has to be anything between $5 and $100.
The Ranking of Hands
The rules of 3 Card Poker are similar to those of stud poker. When the hands consist of three cards, the odds are quite different. Because the odds are not the same, the hand rankings are also slightly different.
Straights are much more common in this game than Flushes. In the majority of cases, they outrank them. Flushes, on the other hand, usually outrank Straights in a five-card game.
Straight flush; three of a kind; high card; straight; flush; and pair are the hands that can be obtained in three-card poker. It is important to note that there is no such thing as a full house in the game of three-card poker. Furthermore, the game does not allow you to get four of a kind.
How to play 3 Card Poker Game?
The name ‘poker’ is given to the 3 card poker game simply because it follows the standard poker hand ranking order. However, the game is more of a casino game than a poker game in the traditional sense. A player’s bets can be adjusted slightly to pursue different bonuses or premium hands.
Nonetheless, no poker strategy is involved. The strategy of deciding which cards to draw or keep, or making bets against the other players, for example, is not involved in the 3-card poker game.
To play the game, all a player has to do is place some bets before the deal, wait to see what the three cards they receive look like, and hope that lady luck smiles on them.
It is critical to note that there is one exception to the standard poker hand rankings that players must be aware of. Because it is more difficult to make a straight in three-card poker than it is to make a flush, the ranking order for flushes and straights is reversed.
This has already been mentioned, but for clarity’s sake, we’ll state it again. You must understand that in a game of three-card poker, a straight is more valuable than a flush. If not, no changes to the hand rankings would be made, with the exception of the elimination of specific hands requiring more than three cards.
It’s pretty simple with this because there are only six possible three-card poker hands that a player can make. You can make any of the following – straight flush; three of a kind, straight, flush, pair, or high card – in the order of ranking.
How to Bet in a Three-Card Poker Game
As previously stated, there are basic rules that apply to the game of three-card poker. In this section, we’ll go over the specifics of how to play the game from the moment you sit down at the table, as well as the rules you must follow throughout. Let’s get started right away.
When you take a seat at a three-card poker table, you have the option of placing one of several bets, depending on the table you select. At most 3 card poker tables, a player can place an Ante bet, a Play bet, a Pair Plus bet, or both an Ante and a Pair Plus bet.
Before you are dealt any cards, you must make a decision on what to bet on. You must decide whether to place only the Ante bet or both the Ante and Pair Plus bets.
You must now place an Ante bet in order to receive cards. The Pair Plus, on the other hand, is completely optional. Essentially, you must wager whether you believe you will be dealt a pair or higher in your three-card poker hand.
When everyone at the three-card poker table has made their decision and placed their bets, the dealer will deal three cards face down to each player in that hand.
After everyone has received their three cards, each player can examine theirs. After reviewing your card, you must make a decision. You must decide whether or not to continue and compare your hand to the deal to see which hand is higher.
If you decide to proceed, you will place a ‘Play’ bet. This is equivalent to the ante bet. In summary, the game is played in the following order:
- Place an ante bet, or you can place both an ante and a pair plus bet.
- Get your cards ready.
- You can either fold, which means you lose all of your previous bets, or place the ‘Play’ bet, which means you must match the ante.
If you fold, you forfeit both your ante and your Pair Plus bet, assuming you made one. However, if you Play (match the size of your ante), you will proceed to compare your game hand to the dealer’s hand to see if you will be paid.
How to Win a Game of Three Card Poker
To win an ante bet, your three-card poker hand must be better than the dealers. However, in order to qualify, the dealer must hold a queen high or better. If the dealer does not qualify, the player receives a payout of 1:1 on their ante. They also receive a refund on their Play bet.
If the dealer qualifies and the player wins the game, the player will receive a payout of 1:1 on both the ante and the Play bet. However, if the player loses and the dealer qualifies, the player loses both bets. If the dealer qualifies and proceeds to tie the player, the player will push and both bets will be returned.
In addition to the comparison of the dealer and player payouts, the player who is playing Ante and Play will receive the bonus payouts regardless of the dealer’s hand. This is done for people with strong hands. In other words, a Straight Flush pays 5:1, a Three of a Kind pays 4:1, and a Straight pays 1:1.
Pair Plus bet in Three Card Poker
The Pair Plus is most likely the easiest casino table game for any player to learn. You don’t have to make a decision to play or win the card. Everything is determined by the card’s turnout. Make your Pair Plus bet before the deal to play this hand. It is critical that the bet remains between the table’s minimum and maximum bet amounts. You will receive your cards after you have placed your bet. The dealer’s hand will be compared to yours, and if you win, you will be paid; if you lose, you will not be paid. That’s how simple and straightforward it is.
If you hit a three-card poker hand with a pair or higher, the payout scale is highlighted as follows:
- Straight Flush 40:1
- Three of a Kind: 30:1
- Straight: 6:1
- Flush: 4:1
- Pair: 1:1
You will lose your Pair Plus bet if you do not have a pair and only a high card. However, if you have a high card that is higher than the dealer’s, you can still win your Ante bet.
It is critical to remember that the dealer must have a minimum of a Queen in order for their hand to qualify. A player can also lose to the dealer and lose their Pay and Ante bets while winning their Pair Plus bet. They will be compensated in this scenario. To summarize, you do not need to win your play or ante bet to qualify for your Pair Plus payout.
The Golden Rule of 3 Card Poker
Because the game of 3 Card Poker is so simple, many players prefer to play every hand or ‘Blind,’ regardless of the type of card they are dealt. Although remaining active at all times can be quite exciting, there is a cost to it. When you play this way, you increase the house edge to around 7%, up from the standard 3%.
Because of the significant increase in the house advantage, if you play every hand, you should follow the general strategy rule – that is, the Q64 rule. This rule is best suited for experienced three-card poker players. If you are new to the game, you should avoid the temptation to play every hand.
What exactly does the Q64 rule imply? It means you should only play hands with a Queen, a Six, a Four, or a higher. If you stick to this strategy, you’ll keep the house advantage as low as possible, somewhere between 2 and 3 percent, depending on the casino. As previously stated, 3-card poker is available at both online and live casinos. The rules are essentially the same in both locations.
When deciding whether to play the Ante, Play, and Pair Plus bets, or just one or two of them, consider the level of activity you are looking for as well as the amount of money you are willing to lose at the game. Essentially, playing the Ante and Pair Plus bets at the same level gives you the best chance of achieving the maximum return at the end of the day. It’s important to note that this will have some losing streaks, especially if you’re hoping to hit the Pair Plus bet. In this case, there is a chance of hitting Pair Plus.
These probabilities are highlighted below:
- Pair – 16.94%
- Flush – 4.9%
- Straight – 3.26%
- Three of a Kind – 0.24%
- Straight Flush – 0.22%
This means you have a 25% chance of hitting a pair or better on average. In the opposite case, you will lose the bet roughly 75% of the time. Avoid playing the Pair Plus or Six Card Bonus bets to increase your chances of getting the best odds against the house. When you have Q64 or higher, the best way to limit your loss and keep it to a bare minimum is to only place Ante bets and Play bets.
What about the Six Card Bonus?
Let’s get one thing straight: you should avoid the Six Card bonus. Without a doubt, the Bonus bet is usually very appealing. It entices you with its massive odds and insanely large payouts if you hit it. Unfortunately, you almost never get a chance to hit it. In fact, the long-shot odds of you hitting a large percentage of the bonus bets are simply too long to make them profitable in the long run. This is what you get when you place a Six Card Bonus bet on many of the three-card poker tables. So, keep your game up and avoid the Six Card Bonus.
In summary, the Six Card Bonus is a payout based on the combination of your three-card poker hand and the dealer’s three-card poker hand. You have the best 5 card poker hand when all of your cards are combined, and you will be paid out based on this. It’s important to note that this is based on standard poker hand rankings.
The following are the payouts for the best five-card poker hand:
- Royal Flush – 1000:1
- Straight Flush – 200:1
- Four of a Kind – 100:1
- Full House – 20:1
- Flush – 15:1
- Straight – 9:1
- Three of a Kind – 8:1
It’s important to note that, while you might get a rush when you hit the bonus once in a while, the casino edge is more than 7%, which means you can’t make money on the bonus over time. If you finally hit on one of the bonus hands, your bet will be paid out regardless of whether you win your ante or play bets.
Procedures for the Three-Card Poker Game
As previously stated, all three Card Poker tables offer two ways to play the game – Ante and Pair Plus. Some tables also provide alternative side bets. You have the option of playing either Ante or Pair Plus, or you can play both.
To begin playing Ante, place your wager in the available triangular Ante space at the table. To play Pair Plus, however, you must first place your wager in the circular Pair Plus space.
Following that, the dealer deals three cards, face down, to each of the players, including himself. After all of the cards have been dealt, all of the players at the table can examine their hands.
You don’t have to do anything else if you’re playing Pair Plus. You are not required to make any decisions or place any additional bets. This is why this game is regarded as the most simple of them all.
However, if you are playing Ante, you must decide whether to play or fold. If you choose to play, you must place a play bet equal to the ante. There is no such thing as a small or large bet.
It must be the same as the Ante. When you place your bet or play Pair Plus and there is a winner, you should place your cards face down next to where you have your bet. If you do not place a play bet and there is no Pair Plus winner, place your card in front of your bets to signal to the dealer that you are folding.
How to Settle Ante Wager?
If you decide to fold after seeing your cards, the dealer will take your ante and clear your cards. When all of the players have decided whether to play or fold, the dealer proceeds to turn his own cards face up. The dealer will play if his or her hand is Queen High or better.
The implication is that ante and play bets will all be in play. To be able to win, your hand must outrank the dealer’s hand. If you win the game, you will be paid for both the ante and the play wagers.
If you lose, the dealer will take both of your bets. They will not have to play if the dealer’s hand is Jack High or lower. In this case, your hand does not need to beat the dealer.
The ante will be paid in even money. There are also no play bets in play, which the players can keep. The hand is regarded as a push in a situation where the hands are tied. There will be no payments. The player, on the other hand, will keep both the ante and the play bets.
Is there any Reputable Online Platform to play 3 Card Poker for Free?
Almost all casinos, both online and offline, offer a three-card poker game to their customers. There are numerous online platforms to choose from if you want to play three-card poker. You can play at any casino site because you are playing for free.
You can compare the offers on each platform by playing at more than one online casino. Every online casino has a free play section where players can try out different games and learn the rules for free. This is critical for new players. Before you play for real money, you should first try out the free versions of the games to get a feel for the strategy and rules.
Conclusion
The 3 Card Poker game is simple and straightforward. You can learn the strategy in a short period of time and start playing for money as soon as you have a complete understanding of the game’s strategy.