How to Play 3-Card Poker (& Win)
Three is a magical number. Three wishes, three musketeers, and, most importantly, three cards that could make or break your night at the casino, like with three-card poker.
Unlike regular poker, where you’re stuck waiting on other players, online three-card poker moves at a quick pace. You’re dealt three cards, then you make your move and see if you can beat the dealer. The best part is you don’t have to memorize endless strategies like in five-card poker.
We’ll show you how to play 3-card poker and prepare you for the felt – or kitchen table – of your next 3-card poker game at our online casino.
What is 3 Card Poker?
3 card poker is a fast-paced casino table game that was invented by Derek Webb in the 1990s. He wanted to create a game that had the excitement of poker but played much faster than regular poker. Unlike Texas Hold’em or other forms of card poker, this game is a one-on-one battle against the dealer, not a table full of other players. It’s more similar to video poker but with fewer cards (If you want to get to grips with it, we have a handy video poker guide for you too!)
The goal is to have a stronger hand than the dealer with the best possible three-card poker hand. Unlike regular poker, where you can draw or bluff your way to a win, here, what you’re dealt is what you get.
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How To Win
To win 3-card poker, you have to beat the dealer’s hand, which involves a bit of skill. These optimal strategy tips show you how to play 3-card poker in a casino with the highest chances of winning.
- Know when to fold or play: The golden rule is that if your hand is queen high or better, play. If it’s lower (like a jack high), fold.
- Aim for a pair or better: While a queen high is the minimum to stay in the game, you’ll want at least a pair or better to feel confident about your own three cards.
- Understand the dealer’s qualifier: The dealer must have at least a queen high to qualify. If they don’t, you win your ante bet automatically, even if your hand is weaker (nice!)
- Use the Q-6-4 rule: A common winning strategy is to make play wagers when you hold at least queen-6-4. If your player’s hand is weaker than Q-6-4, folding is usually the best move.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to have a winning hand; it’s to have a hand that beats the dealer’s. Sometimes, even a modest pair or better can do the trick. And if the dealer beats you, no worries. Just shuffle up, deal again, and hope to improve the three cards in your own hand.
Aside from strategy, one of the best tips we can give you to play 3-card poker is to bring a friend to the table. When you refer a friend, you’ll score a cash casino referral bonus in your account, and they’ll receive a $2,500 Welcome Bonus when they sign up.
3 Card Poker Hands Ranked
The hand rankings in 3-card poker are based on the traditional ones, but since there are only three cards, they’re tweaked just a bit. For example, in a five-card poker hand, a flush beats a straight, but not in 3-card poker.
The best three-card poker hand you can get is a straight flush, which is three consecutive cards of the same suit. Even better, if it’s an ace-high straight flush, then you have a royal flush, the absolute best hand ranking.
Next up is three of a kind, meaning three cards of the same rank. This hand is strong but still below a straight. A straight (three consecutive cards of any suit) beats a flush (three cards of the same suit). The lowest straight you can get is 4-3-2, while the highest is A-K-Q.
A pair (two cards of the same rank) is solid, but if you’ve got nothing else, your best bet is a high card (the highest single card in your hand), and your third card will determine how strong it is in the event of a tie.
3-Card Poker Rules & How to Play
The rules of 3-card poker are easier than regular poker (rejoice!). This is how to play three-card poker and the 3-card poker rules:
- Place Your Ante Bet: Start by placing an ante wager in the play area, specifically the ante spot, by clicking and dragging your poker chips. This is your initial bet to join the game.
- Optional Pair Plus Bet: The pair plus bet is a side bet with a bonus payout. If your hand has a pair or better, you win, even if the dealer beats you.
- Cards Are Dealt: You and the dealer each receive three cards face down.
- Fold or Play (sometimes labeled as “raise” online): Players decide: if you like your hand, you can place a wager equal to your ante bet (called a play bet) in the play spot to continue. If you fold, you lose both the ante and any side bet.
- Dealer Qualifies: The dealer must have at least a queen high to qualify. If they don’t, you win 1:1 on your ante bet, and your play bet is returned.
- Showdown: If the dealer qualifies, whip out your guns and compare hands. If your hand beats theirs, you win both your ante and play wagers. If not, the dealer takes your bets.
Payouts and House Edge
When you win in 3-card poker, your payouts depend on the strength of your player’s hand and whether you’ve placed any extra bets. The standard payout for beating the dealer’s hand is 1:1 (even money) on both your ante and play bets. If the dealer’s hand doesn’t qualify, you automatically win your ante bet, and your play bet is returned.
Beyond standard payouts, some hand rankings qualify for an ante bonus, even if the dealer’s hand wins:
- Straight Flush: 5:1
- Three-of-a-kind: 4:1
- Straight: 1:1
If you placed a Pair Plus bet, you receive additional payouts based solely on the strength of your hand:
- Straight Flush: 40:1
- Three-of-a-kind: 30:1
- Straight: 6:1
- Flush: 4:1
- Pair:1:1
The house edge in 3-card poker depends on the bets you make. The ante and play bets have the lowest house edge at 3.37%. The Pair Plus bet comes with a higher 7.28% house edge, but it offers bigger potential payouts since you don’t need to beat the dealer’s hand to win.
Use Demo Play At Cafe Casino Today
Here’s a handy little tip: you don’t have to pay anything to play 3-hand poker when you use demo play. At Cafe Casino, open 3-card poker and select “Practice Play.” This gives you a preloaded “fun” balance to practice 3-card poker and any other casino game, for that matter.
Once you’re ready, you can switch from free play to real stakes and take on the casino for a chance at big wins.
And don’t forget! We have hundreds of slots games available, too. If you’re a first-timer, simply pick the best slots for beginners and give them a whirl in Practice Play. They say three’s a charm, and in three card poker, that’s never been more true. Quick rounds, simple winning strategy, and big payouts make this the perfect casino game for anyone who loves fast action and poker without the pressure. Play now at Cafe Casino, try demo play, and take your shot at forming a winning hand.
