3 card poker is a simpler version of poker. This game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. The game aims to make the best three card hand against the dealer. So, you are playing against the dealer and not other players. 3 card poker also allows for side bets, but more on this below.
We have listed our top pick of the best 3 card poker online casinos. We also cover how the game is played and introduce you to the best tips to win in detail below.
How to Play 3 Card Poker
3 Card poker is enjoyed for its simplicity. Poker beginners should learn this poker variant before moving on to other slightly complex poker games. The game’s strategy, as you will learn below, is also quite easy to grasp. In fact, anyone can master this casino game in a few minutes.
- Three card poker is played with three cards per player. The game begins with each player placing their ante bets.
- Players can place a pair plus wager on both the ante and the pair plus wager. A pair plus wager is a bet that the player’s hand will be a pair or higher.
- If the player’s hand has a pair or better, they win the pair plus wager, which is paid at 1:1.
- Once each player has placed their ante bet, the dealer deals three cards face down to each player.
- Each player then decides whether they want to play or fold. If a player plays, they have to place a bet of the same amount as the ante bet. If a player folds, they give up their hand and stop playing.
- The game’s objective is to beat the dealer. To beat the dealer, your hand must rank higher than the dealer’s hand.
3 Card Poker Hand Rankings
There are six possible hands in three-card poker. Here are the three card poker hand rankings from the strongest hand to the weakest hand:
Straight Flush – Straight flush is the highest-ranking hand in 3-card poker. This hand is made up of three consecutive cards of the same suit. The strongest straight flush comprises the cards Queen, King, and Ace. 2, 3, and 4 make the weakest straight flush.
Three of a Kind – Three of a kind is a hand with any three cards of the same rank. Three Aces make the strongest three of a kind. Three 2s make the weakest three of a kind.
Straight – A straight hand is any three consecutive cards of any suit. Queen, King, and Ace make the strongest straight hand. Ace, 2, and 3 make the weakest hand.
Flush – A flush is a hand with three cards of the same suit. Queen, King, and Ace make the strongest flush, and 2, 3, and 5 make the weakest hand.
Pair – A pair is a hand with two cards of the same rank. Two Aces make the strongest pair, and two 2s make the weakest pair.
High Card – A high card is the weakest hand in three-card poker. This hand does not meet any of the above criteria.
Three Card Poker Rules
Three-card poker is a simple poker variant. The game’s rules are also not very complex. This is because the game does not have many betting rounds. Here are the game’s basic rules:
- Players must place an ante before they are dealt any cards.
- Players can also place a pair plus or a pair plus and an ante bet.
- If a player places both an ante bet and a pair plus and wins with a straight or higher, they win the ante bonus (See 3 card poker payouts below).
- Players play against the dealer, not each other.
- Each player is dealt three cards face down.
- The dealer is also dealt three cards face down.
- The dealer reveals their hand after players have played their hand. The dealer needs a queen or better to qualify.
- If the dealer’s hand ranks higher, the player loses both the ante and the play bet.
- If you place both an ante bet and a pair plus bet and fold, you forfeit both bets.
- If the player’s hand and that of the dealer tie, the bets push.
- If the player’s hand is ranking higher than the dealer’s, the play bets will be paid even money.
3 Card Poker Payouts
If the player’s hand is ranking higher than the dealer’s, the player will be paid the below payout.
Ante Wager Payouts
A player’s hand must rank higher than the dealer’s qualifying hand to win an ante bet. The dealer’s hand must contain a queen or higher to qualify. Otherwise, the hand goes to a push. Ante wager payouts are paid at 1:1.
Pair Plus Payouts
A pair plus bet is a bet made that the player’s hand will be a pair or better. This is regardless of whether the player’s hand is better than that of the dealer or not.
Pair plus wagers’ payouts:
Hand | Payout |
Straight Flush | 40:1/50:1 for a Queen, King, and Ace Straight flush |
Three of a Kind | 30:1 |
Straight | 6:1 |
Flush | 3:1 |
Pair | 1:1 |
Ante and Pair Plus Payouts
If a player places both an ante and a pair plus wagers. Their hand must have a pair and also bet that of the dealer for the player to win.
The player will also be paid an ante bonus if the player’s hand beats that of the dealer and is straight or higher. Below are the ante bonus payouts:
Hand | Payout |
Straight Flush | 5:1 |
Three of a Kind | 4:1 |
Straight | 1:1 |
3 Card Poker Strategy
As stated, 3-card poker is the easiest poker variant to play. The game strategy is also simpler. All you need to do is always play a hand containing a 4, 6, and Queen or higher. If your hand is below this, you should fold it. If your hand is below this, you should fold it. This is all there is to the three-card poker game strategy.
More About Online Poker
- How to Play Poker
- Live Poker
- Poker Strategy
- Poker Apps
- Poker Rules
- Online Poker FAQs
- Betting Systems
- Pot Limit Omaha Poker
- Texas Hold’em Poker
- 5 Card Draw Poker
- 7 Card Stud Poker
- Caribbean Stud Poker
- Razz Poker
- Badugi Poker
- 2-7 Triple Draw Poker
Three Card Poker FAQs
A straight flush is the highest-ranking hand in 3-card poker. In this case, it is three consecutive cards of the same suit. The best-ranking hand is a straight flush with a Queen, King, and an Ace.
The minimum bet in 3-card poker varies based on the casino where you are playing.
The odds of winning with a minimum of a pair in 3-card poker is 16.94 per cent.
Yes. The optimal strategy for this poker variant is to always fold a hand below a Queen, 6 and 4.
Yes, three of kind beats a flush in all poker games.
A royal flush is the hardest hand to get in poker. The probabilities of getting a royal flush are 1 in 649 739.