Curious about how to play 3 card poker, but don’t know where to start? This free 3 card poker strategy guide makes learning the rules easy – and fun!
If you love classic casino table games like roulette but want something with a poker twist, three card poker is right up your alley. This poker-style game fulfills three criteria: it’s simple to learn and play, offers decent odds of winning, and is very fast-paced.
Here’s what you need to know:
- In regular Texas Hold’em, you play against other players. In 3 card poker, you play against the casino/house.
- There is no drawing for more cards – your fate rests on the three cards you are dealt.
- The goal is to make the strongest 3 card poker hand possible.
What Is 3 Card Poker?
3 card poker is a popular casino table game, which is quicker than traditional poker. Unlike other poker variants where players compete against each other, in 3 card poker you stand just against the dealer, trying to beat the house with the best possible three-card hand.
The game has easy-to-comprehend rules and offers numerous betting options, including the standard Ante-Play format and side bets like Pair Plus or the 6 Card Bonus. It’s a great alternative to the games you’ll find on online poker sites, especially for players who enjoy a faster pace and the chance for solid payouts without going head-to-head with other players.
How to Play 3 Card Poker Online: Step-by-Step Guide
The simple goal in three card poker is to make the strongest possible 3 card hand to beat the dealer.
Below is your 3 card poker cheat sheet to see how the game is played when you practice online, step-by-step.
3 Card Poker Cheat Sheet
- Ante up – This is the first mandatory bet and must be placed to start the game.
- Side bet options – Players can place extra wagers, such as Pair Plus, which pays based on hand strength. If you wish to play Pair Plus or other side bets, now’s the time to act.
- Dealing begins – The dealer will deal 3 cards that are face-up to all the players as well as 3 cards that are face-down for themselves.
- Play or fold – If you like your hand, you now place a “play” bet that is the same as the ante bet. If you elect to fold, you will forfeit the initial ante.
- Dealer decides – The dealer shows their hand now face-up, and it needs to be at least queen-high or above to qualify to play.
- Hand comparison time – If the dealer qualifies, hands are compared:
- If the player wins → The player wins both bets
- If the dealer wins → The player loses both bets
- In the event of a tie → Bets push, meaning the player gets their money back
- Side bets are settled – Pair Plus side bets and other side bets that may have been made are now paid according to who has won and lost the hand.
Additional Nuances
- Hand rankings: Remember that a straight is stronger than a flush due to the three-card format, and three of a kind is also stronger than a straight.
- Table limits: Casinos set minimum and maximum bet limits on Ante and Play bets so this will vary depending on where you are playing 3 card poker.
3 Card Poker Hand Rankings
In Texas Hold’em, the objective is to make a 5 card hand, but in 3 card poker you’re only tasked with making a 3 card hand ranking.
This means it’s impossible to make a royal flush because that would require five cards rather than just three.
Generally speaking, the 3 card poker hands are the same – with two key exceptions:
- A straight will outrank a flush. This is because there are more combinations of flushes than straights in 3 card poker, which means that a straight beats a flush since it’s rarer and more difficult to achieve.
- Three of a kind will beat both a straight and a flush. Again, this is due to rarity. The chances of being dealt 3 of a kind is very low.
Keeping this in mind, here is a list of the standardized 3 card poker hand rankings from best to worst:
| Hand | Description | Example |
| Straight Flush | Three consecutive cards of the same suit | J♦️ 10♦️ 9♦️
Note: A♦️ K♦️ Q♦️ – the strongest possible straight flush |
| Three of a Kind | Three cards of identical rank | 9♠️ 9♦️ 9♥️ |
| Straight | Three consecutive cards of mixed suits | 5♠️ 6♦️ 7♥️ |
| Flush | Three cards of the same suit, not in sequence | K♠️ 10♠️ 3♠️ |
| Pair | Two cards of the same rank plus an unpaired third card | Q♣️ Q♦️ 5♠️ |
| High Card | No pairs, no sequence, and no flush – hand value is determined by the highest card | J♦️ 8♣️ 2♠️ |
In the case of a high-card hand, any ace-high with two other cards will beat K-Q-9. So A-2-4 is the best hand when up against K-Q-10. In this case, the value of the single highest card in the 3 card poker hand is what counts.
If the highest card happens to be tied in a 3 card poker hand, then the second card determines the winner. For example, A-J-2 will beat A-10-9.
💡 Pro Tip:
As with learning any poker game, I always recommend players start by practicing online. You’ll get to see hundreds of hands without the pressure and distraction of a live casino. There are many free 3 card poker online options for you to choose from across the internet.
How to Deal 3 Card Poker
Three card poker rules are pretty straightforward. Therefore, anyone can learn how to play 3 card poker with a standard 52-card deck. Here’s how to deal:
- Max Players: A maximum of 8 players can play at a table, including one acting as the player-dealer.
- Player-Dealer:
- One player takes on the dealer role while still playing their own hand.
- The dealer position rotates each hand by passing the player-dealer role onto the next player on the left.
Technically, if you wanted to act as both player and dealer, you could play solo against yourself! This can get confusing quickly, though – you’re better off practicing three card poker online.
3 Card Poker Strategy & Tips
Now that you have 3 card poker rules and the gameplay down, it is time to talk strategy because winners have more fun.
As it is a table game, there is no fool-proof method to win every time, but here is our 3 card poker strategy to help you become a stronger player.
Starting Hand Selection
The most important consideration is your hand selection. You can play any hand, but sticking to certain holdings reduces the house edge to just 2.37%.
There’s no 3 Card Poker “cheat sheet” like you’d see for blackjack. However, the optimal strategy suggests folding anything lower than Q♣️6♥️4♠️.
This means you should only play high card hands – preferably with a King or an Ace – or hands that have already achieved a made combination (e.g., Flush or Three of a kind).
Bet Sizing
Remember that there’s more than just the initial ante involved. If the minimum bet at your table is $2, you’re actually going to pay $4 if you want to play.
What’s more, the optional Pair Plus wager – which is where the biggest payouts can be found – will cost you an additional bet. If you plan on taking the Pair Plus option, you need to budget for spending 3x the ante, so manage your bankroll accordingly.
Reducing the House Edge
Play optional strategy, and the house edge will be reduced to 2.37%. However, the voluntary Pair Plus bet offers the casino a much greater advantage of 7.28%.
If you want to land the biggest rewards, like the 40 to 1 payout offered for straight flushes, place this wager. However, if you’re thinking about the longer-term bankroll implications, it’s sensible to swerve Pair Plus entirely.
Like any casino table game, the 3 card poker payouts are a gamble. The 3 card poker odds should make it clear that this is a risky proposition.
3 Card Poker Payouts
Learning how to play 3 card poker at a casino or online – look for a more detailed rundown of the 3 card poker odds.
Ante & Play
If the dealer doesn’t qualify, your play bet is returned, and you’ll be paid 1 to 1 on the ante.
Should you manage to win, both the ante and play bets are paid at the same odds.
| Result | Payout |
| Player win | 1:1 on both bets |
| Dealer fails to qualify | 1:1 on ante; play bet refunded |
Pair Plus
If you place the voluntary Pair Plus bet, you can win bigger rewards.
The table below outlines the standard payouts, but some casinos might use a different pay table.
| Hand | Payout | True % Chance |
| Straight Flush | 40:1 | 0.22% |
| Three of a Kind | 30:1 | 0.24% |
| Straight | 6:1 | 3.26% |
| Flush | 3:1 | 4.95% |
| Pair | 1:1 | 16.94% |
6 Card Bonus
Some casinos offer a second side bet called 3+3, otherwise known as the 6 Card Bonus.
This combines your hand with the dealer’s to make the best possible five-card poker hand. You’ll receive a payout based on its strength, but you need at least three-of-a-kind to qualify.
Several different pay tables exist, as illustrated below.
| Hand | Pay Table 1 | Pay Table 2 | Pay Table 3 | Pay Table 4 |
| Royal Flush | 1,000:1 | 1,000:1 | 2,000:1 | 1,000:1 |
| Straight Flush | 200:1 | 200:1 | 200:1 | 200:1 |
| Four of a Kind | 100:1 | 50:1 | 50:1 | 50:1 |
| Full House | 20:1 | 25:1 | 25:1 | 25:1 |
| Flush | 15:1 | 20:1 | 15:1 | 15:1 |
| Straight | 10:1 | 10:1 | 10:1 | 10:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 7:1 | 5:1 | 5:1 | 5:1 |
| House Edge | 8.56% | 10.22% | 14.36% | 15.28% |
3 Card Poker History
Compared to classics like blackjack or baccarat, 3 card poker is a relatively new casino game. It was invented in 1994 by British poker player and entrepreneur Derek Webb.
Webb designed three card poker to be easy to comprehend with a fair balance between risk and reward. The game’s standard ante bet has a house edge of around 3.37%, but with optimal strategy, players can bring it down to nearly 2%, making it one of the most favorable casino table games around in terms of the odds.
Whether you’re new to casino gaming or a seasoned player, it’s a fresh take on poker. Give it a try if you’re so inclined.
But remember that any kind of gambling is risky and might lead to addiction. Gamble responsibly, and never bet more than you can afford to lose.