Similar to the classic English card game of Brag, 3-Card Poker is a popular casino game where players take on the dealer.
Where Caribbean Stud is played like poker, with the best 5-card poker hand winning, 3-card Poker is played with just three cards. The aim is to beat the dealer's hand. Even better, if you beat the dealer when he holds a 'qualifying hand' of queen-high or better.
There's little strategy but players simply have to beat the dealer's 3-card poker hand. With online versions of the game there are added bonuses which can pay extra winnings. Even better, you can try the game for free to test out a few plays and strategies.
- Welcome to 3 Card Poker. Step into the home of one of the newer games found in casinos both online and in the real world – 3 Card Poker. In spite of being a relative newcomer when compared to the likes of blackjack and baccarat, it is already one of the most popular casino games and ranks among the top ten most-played casino games in the world.
- Not every version of Three Card Poker online is the same. Some versions offer different payouts for the Pair Plus bet. In our example, a mini Royal Flush pays 100/1. The house edge of this variant is 4.49%. But in other online 3 Card Poker free games, the payout for a mini-Royal can be as low as 50/1. This increases the edge to 5.39%.
Find top free 3-Card Poker games in 2016:
Three Card Poker game. The Three Card Poker game is a popular type of the legendary gambling entertainment. On our site, there is a three-card poker emulator, which will be appreciated by the most diverse categories of gamblers. The game is available for free.
- Enjoy classic 3-card games for free without risking your bankroll
- Test out online casino software
- Gamble on 3-card poker and work off a casino bonus
History of Online 3-Card Poker
If you grew up gambling on cards in the UK, you've probably come across 3-card Brag. A simple game, players are dealt three cards and have to bet against other players. The showdown takes place when all betting has finished.
Casino 3-card Poker just takes things up a notch and pits the player against the House. There's not too much strategy involved: you get dealt your hand and must make a decision to bet or fold. The rest is down to luck.
3-Card Poker first appeared in the mid 1990s as an online extension of Brag. It's sometimes played in the US under the name, 'Tri Poker'.
Three Card Poker
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How to Play 3-Card Poker Online
3-Card Poker is a fast game played against the House.
There are three areas to drag chips onto: ANTE, PLAY, and PAIR PLUS. Games are typically played with just one deck which is shuffled after every hand.
Placing Bets: Players place an initial bet, called an ante, plus an optional side bet wager. The Dealer and Player are dealt three cards. You then make a decision to equal the ante or fold your hand. If you want to play on, you match your ante in the PLAY area of the table.
After making a decision, the Dealer reveals his hand. If your hand beats his, you win. The Dealer's hand must be queen-high or higher to qualify.
Ranking of hands follows poker rankings, altered slightly due to the three cards. Unlike 3-card Brag, three-of-a-kind (prial) isn't the best hand, but a Straight does beat a Flush:
- Straight Flush
- Three of a Kind
- Straight
- Flush
- One Pair
- High Card
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3-Card Poker Payouts: To win, you must beat the Dealer's hand. But your payout also depends on whether the Dealer qualifies with a queen-high:
Player's Winning Hand (if Dealer qualifies):
- Ante: 1/1
- Play: 1/1
Player's Winning Hand (if Dealer doesn't qualify):
- Ante: 1/1
- Play: Push (a draw)
Tied Hand (if Dealer qualifies):
Ante and Play bet returned
In the event of a Push, your bet carries forward to the next game.
Ante Bonus: You will secure certain bonus payouts on top of your ante bet if your hand wins:
- Pair: No bonus
- Flush: No bonus
- Straight: 1/1
- Three of a kind: 4/1
- Straight Flush: 5/1
Pair Plus Bonus: The side bet is called the 'Pair Plus Bonus'. You'll see the bet area clearly displayed on the table. A Pair Plus pays out even-money (1/1) if you win with a Pair. You'll also win bigger bonuses if you hit certain hands:
- Pair: 1/1
- Flush: 4/1
- Straight: 6/1
- Three of a Kind: 30/1
- Straight Flush: 40/1
These bets pay out based on the value of your hand, regardless of what the dealer is holding.
The 'Mini Royal'
Although not too common online, some casinos add an extra bonus called the 'Mini Royal'. With this, if you hit a hand holding a suited A-K-Q you'll bag 80/1 your money.
Live 3-Card Poker
Like many casino games in the last few years, 3-Card Poker can now be played at online casinos against a human croupier.
Live 3-card Poker pits you against a human dealer streamed in from a TV studio or land-based casino. The cards are fitted with special chips which are picked up by sensors in the table. The cards are then transmitted to the player's casino page. Bets continue as normal, with winnings paid out at the end of the hand.
3-Card Poker Progressive
Some casinos run a variant of 3-Card Poker which award special payouts if you hit a certain hand. Usually, an extra bet is made at the start of the hand, and progressive games are linked across multiple casinos. If you hit a Mini Royal in spades, you'll bag the special progressive jackpot.
'Prime' 3-Card Poker
Usually found in UK land-based casinos, Prime 3-Card Poker requires players to make an option bet before the cards are dealt out. Payouts are made depending on the colour of the player's cards. You'll win 3/1 your bet if the cards are the same colour. If both your AND the dealer's cards are all the same colour you get paid 4/1. The house edge is a rather mean 3.62 percent.
Online 3-Card Poker Top Tips
1 - Know Your House Edge
There's not too much skill involved in 3-card Poker. However, you should be aware of the house edges when placing bets. An online cheat sheet can help you know the probabilities of hitting certain hands. A high card is hit just over 74 percent of the time, while a pair hits around 16-17 percent of the time. A flush comes around 4.96 percent, and a straight 3.26 percent. A straight flush hits 0.22 percent of the time.
Free pokies australia. The house edge of 3-card Poker online runs around 2.32-2.7 percent.
2 - Making Optimum 'Play' Wagers
Smart 3-card Poker betting come in making the right move against the dealer. If you have Q-6-4 or better that's the time to bet the 'Play' against the dealer. Generally, however, there is no real proper strategy that can help you beat the house edge. The 'Pair Plus' bets, while attractive, are generally seen as for fools only.
3 - Print Out a Cheat Sheet
There are many 'cheat sheets' available online. These show the optimum play depending upon your cards and are good to print out and have by your keyboard while you play.
3-Card Poker Glossary
Ante - Enforced bet by the player
Ante Bonus - Special payouts for players betting the ante
Bet - Wager
Bonus Hands - Special 3-card hands that are awarded extra payouts
Croupier - Dealer who handles the action
Deal - Player's and dealer's cards distributed
Even-Money Bet - Bet that is paid 1/1
Fold - Discard your hand
Hand - Three cards dealt to the player at the start of the game
Live 3-card Poker / Live Dealer 3-card Poker - Online 3-card Poker game featuring a human croupier and real cards
Pair Plus Bonus - Extra payouts based on hitting special hands
Play - Make a further bet by matching your ante
Prime - Version of 3-card poker with a special payout for getting matching colours
Qualifying Hand - A dealer has a hand of queen-high or better
Tied Hand - Player and dealer get dealt same value hand
Wager - Bet placed on a hand
Of all the casino table games based on poker hand rankings, 3 Card Poker is the most popular. This game combines simple strategy with a shot at some big pay outs for the best poker hands.
If you live in a state with regulated online casinos, you'll be able to play Three Card Poker via desktops and mobile casino apps. Live dealer online casinos let you play a dealt game online. Software-based games are also available where you can play 3 Card Poker for free or with real money.
The key to the popularity of 3 Card Poker is the ‘Pair Plus' side bet. Most players bet on the main hand (a requirement) and one or more optional side bets. In live casinos, you might find a side bet includes a big progressive jackpot for players lucky enough to hit a 6 card ‘Super' Royal Flush.
This page gives you all you need to get started with 3 Card Poker whether you play online or in a brick and mortar casino. The rules and order of events in a hand of the game are covered directly below. After this, you'll find detailed information on the side bets, house edge, strategy and the options for online play.
How to play 3 Card Poker
Each hand starts with the players placing bets. The only mandatory bet is the Ante. The minimum and maximum bet will vary. Online this can be as little as 50c, in live casinos a $5 minimum is more common. Players often combine their ante bet with one or more side-bets – these are covered in the section below.
After all the players have bet, each player and the dealer are dealt 3 cards face down.
Players examine their cards individually (without sharing what they have with the other players). You then decide whether to fold, which forfeits the ante bet, or raise. To continue with the hand (raise), you place an additional bet equal to the ante on the table in the square marked ‘Play'. Strategy What is a slot tournament. for which option to choose is covered below.
After all the players have either folded or raised, the dealer will reveal his/her cards.
This game includes a dealer qualification rule. If the dealer does not have at least Queen high, his/her has not qualified. When this happens, the ante is paid at 1-to-1 and the Play bet is a push (the stake is returned).
If the dealer has a qualifying hand, then the value of that hand is compared to the value of the players hand to determine the winner. Standard poker hand rankings are used, with bonus payouts paid for a straight or better. Note that with 3 cards, a flush is easier to get than a straight, and so considered below this in the poker rankings. In the rare event of a tie, both the Ante and Play bets are returned.
Payout on Ante Bets
Here are the additional Ante bet pay outs:
- Straight: 1-to-1
- 3 of a Kind: 5-to-1
- Straight Flush: 5-to-1
Simple 3 Card Poker strategy and casino house edge
Wild vegas casino no deposit bonus codes 2017. The math shows that the optimal strategy in 3-Card Poker is to play when you have Queen/6/4 or better, and to fold anything below this. You might notice that this strategy is very close to the dealer's play – qualifying with Queen high. Some players choose to further simplify their strategy by mimicking the dealer and raising with any Queen regardless of the side cards.
While close, this does give the house a slightly bigger advantage in the long run.
- House Edge for Q/6/4: 3.24%
- House Edge for any Queen: 3.37%
As the side bets are completely independent from the main game, the pay tables for these bets will never influence your strategy.
Popular side bets in Three Card Poker games
For many players, a hand of Three Card Poker would not be complete without a bet on the ‘Pair Plus' side bet. This bet is optional. It is also independent of the main game.
Pair Plus works by looking at your own three cards. If you have less than 1 pair, the bet is lost.
Pairs Plus Payouts
With hands of 1 pair or better, you'll be paid according to the table below:
- Mini Royal (Ace / King / Queen of the same suit): 80-to-1
- Straight Flush: 40-to-1
- 3 of a Kind: 25-to-1
- Straight: 6-to-1
- Flush: 3-to-1
- Pair: 1-to-1
Note that you can find casinos with minor variations of this pay table. Some casinos do not offer a boosted prize for a mini-royal, instead increasing the prize for the flush.
The other popular side bet involves all 6 cards in your hand and the dealer's hand. The best possible 5-card poker hand using a combination of these cards will qualify for the bonus. There are several variations under the generic title of 6-card bonus.
Some of these may include progressive jackpots. For example, Caesars Entertainment casinos have a linked progressive which pays on a 6-card ‘Super Royal' in diamonds only.
Payouts for 6-card bonus
Typical payouts for 6-card bonuses are as follows:
- Royal Flush: 1000-to-1
- Straight Flush: 200-to-1
- 4 of a Kind: 5-to-1
- Full House: 25-to-1
- Flush: 15-to-1
- Straight: 10-to-1
- 3 of a Kind: 5-to-1
Any hand below 3 of a kind results in a loss. There are many side-bet variations. Some casinos add a (smaller) progressive element to the 3 card hands of individual players. Note that the side bets have a much bigger house edge than the main game. This can be as high as 15.28% in some 6-card bonus variations.
How to Play 3 Card Poker online
Regulation for online casinos is happening at the state level. The online casinos in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia will only work within state lines in each instance.
Big casino brands have partnered with local brick and mortar venues to create mobile apps as well as desktop casinos. Brands include 888 Casino, Golden Nugget and Sugarhouse.
You'll be able to enjoy slots, video poker and table games via these casino apps. This includes 3-Card Poker, alongside blackjack, roulette, Ultimate Texas Hold'em and more.
There are two ways to enjoy 3 Card Poker online. First, you can play against casinos on software-based games. These are fast, include side-bets and can be enjoyed for micro-stakes starting at around 50c per hand.
You can also bet on the result of games streamed from a casino. Live dealer 3-Card Poker uses an overlay to bet, with a real dealer handling the cards in real time. Everyone bets on the same hand, with the hand being continued to its conclusion each time (for those people who did not fold).
This way of enjoying 3-Card Poker has social element. You can chat with the dealer and share messages with other players. Stakes are higher compared to the software-based games. You'll have to stay focused on the game. If you time out (or disconnect) before making your decision, then your hand will be folded.
How to clear your bonus using 3 Card Poker
Most mobile casinos in the regulated states offer new players generous bonuses to sign up. These include no-deposit (free play) style bonuses, matched welcome bonus offers based on your first deposit – and many other promotions.
Keep in mind that you'll need to play through your bonus a set number of times before any winnings can be withdrawn.
If you are playing slot machines, then all of your play counts towards ‘clearing' your bonus. With table games including 3-Card Poker, the contribution towards bonus clearing is weighted. Some casinos will allow for 25% of your play to count, while others will offer 10% or under. Before you choose a casino bonus, checking the terms of each bonus for excluded games and weightings is always a sound strategy.
With free-play casino bonuses, you might find that only slots are permitted.
Other casino table games
| Ultimate Texas Hold'em | 3 Card Poker | Let It Ride |
| Baccarat | Blackjack |
Pros and cons: Live vs Online 3-Card Texas Hold'em
While both online and live casino table games have their place, there are distinct advantages to each. If you are lucky enough to live in a state with legal online casinos, the pros and cons are outlined below:
The pros and cons of playing 3-Card Poker online are as follows:
Pros
- No need to travel to a casino to enjoy the game
- Stakes are lower
- Live dealer games include a social element
Cons
- Only available in a handful of regulated states
- Disconnections or time outs (live dealer) mean your hand will be folded
- Game is not fully weighted for clearing casino bonuses
Live 3-Card Poker Casinos
The pros and cons of playing Live 3-Card Poker online are as follows:
Pros
- Enjoyable social settings
- Casinos often have progressive jackpot side bets
- Loyalty schemes with free-play/resort benefits
Cons
- Stakes are generally higher than online ($5 minimum is typical)
- You'll need to travel to a casino
- Naturally slower pace of play
FAQ
Can you cheat at Three Card Poker?
While some forms of collusion are possible, these would be fraudulent and require marked cards or a casino dealer getting involved. Collusion among players would not result in a positive expectation for the game. If players developed a system to share their hands, several cards could be accounted for. This would increase or decrease the chances of the dealer having a good hand slightly – although not enough to win any money over time.
Marked cards or fraudulent collusion would be picked up by casino security as soon as losses from the table were significant. With the base strategy very simple, diversions from this would be very easy to spot.
How big a bankroll do I need for 3-Card Poker?
Compared to many casino table games (UTH, Mississippi Stud and Casino Hold'em for example) the natural variance of 3-Card poker is low. On most hands, you'll be winning or losing single bets. There is also a low house edge, at least in the main game, of 3.27%.
20 times your ante bet is a common starting point for this game. This is enough to enjoy a session, with the possibility of upping your bets if you go on a hot streak.
Your total bankroll depends on how much you can afford to lose and how easily your gambling money can be topped up.
How does the house edge of 3 Card Poker compare?
Compared to other casino table games based on poker hand rankings, 3 Card Poker has a slightly higher house edge. This game has an easy strategy, which means new players can quickly realize the house edge. Compare this with blackjack, where small mistakes made by newer players can have large effect on the casino's edge.
You should keep in mind that 3-Card Poker side bets have a big edge in favor of the house compared to the main game.
Three Card Poker House Edge vs. Other Table Games
Here is how 3-Card Poker's house edge compares:
- 3 Card Poker: 3.27%
- Blackjack: 0.5% to 3% (depends on the rules)
- Baccarat: 1.06% (if you play the ‘Player' bet)
- Ultimate Texas Hold'em: 2.2% + 0.5% of any play bets
- Roulette: 2.7% / 5.26% (European / US wheel)
- Casino Hold'em: 2.16%
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Is it legal to play 3-Card Poker online?
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States determine their own laws for online casinos. In each state where these are legal, the casinos will only work within their borders. So far, PA, NJ, MI and WV have legal online casinos. There are many more states in various stages of introducing gambling online.
Outside of these states, you can enjoy limited casino table games and slots at ‘Sweepstakes Casinos'. 3-Card poker has not yet made it to any of these brands.
Final thoughts on 3 Card poker
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Of all the casino games based on poker hand ranks, 3-Card Poker is the most popular. This game combines a straightforward strategy (play Q-6-4+/fold otherwise), with the chance of boosted payouts for big poker hands. The house edge, at just 3.27%, is reasonably low. It is harder to make mistakes in this game which could boost this edge in favor of the casino. Optional side bets are available, many of them with big progressive jackpots.
If you live in one of the regulated states, you can now enjoy free and real money 3 Card online. This can be played against software, or at live dealer online casinos – where you'll bet on a dealt game streamed from a studio.
