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3 Card Poker Free Demo Playing a free version of a game in the online casino industry is something of a rarity in many markets, as of course one of the biggest drawcards to these titles is the risk and reward. 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.
There are many casino poker variants to choose from, but unquestionably, three card poker is among the most fast-paced and thrilling. This essential guide takes you through everything you need to know; we breakdown the rules of 3 card poker and explain how to play the game. Plus, we cover all the side bets, bonuses, and payouts; and reveal the perfect three-card poker strategy.
The 3 Card Video Poker is a mixture of two games, presenting the player with a unique chance of playing against the machine and trying to form the best possible combination of cards on one side and placing. Three Card Poker is a casino table game based on Texas Holdem Poker. Svara is played with two to nine players using a 32-card deck (from 7 to Ace). Positive emotions and memories are guaranteed in.
How to play three card poker
The important elements of creating great casino poker games are to firstly make the rules easy to understand, and secondly, the payouts have to be appealing to players. Derek Webb, the game's inventor, combines these factors to a tee. Learning the basics of how to play three card poker only takes a minute or two.
Of course, you want to refine your play with a proven strategy, but we'll get to that part later. For now, let's explain 3 card poker rules and guide you through the gameplay.
Three card poker rules
Once you know the rules, you'll be well on your way to being able to play 3 card poker online. The game is played with a standard 52-card deck. Here's a step-by-step guide to a single round.
- To begin a round, the player must place an ante bet.
- The dealer then deals three cards to the player, which are face-up, and three cards to himself, which are face down.
- Based on the three cards, the player can either fold the hand or continue by placing a play bet.
- If the player folds, he loses the original ante bet wager.
- If he continues, the cost of the play bet is equal to the ante bet.
- Assuming the player continues, the dealer turns over his three cards.
- The dealer's hand needs to be at least Queen high to qualify.
- If the dealer's hand doesn't qualify, the player wins even money (1:1) on the ante bet, but the play bet is pushed (returned).
- When the dealer does qualify; the player's hand is compared to the dealer's hand. The winner is determined according to the order of 3 card poker hand ranks.
- If the player's hand wins, he gets paid 1:1 on both the ante bet and the play bet.
- If the dealer's hand wins, both bets are lost.
- It is possible for the hands to tie. In which case, the ante and play bets are pushed.
- Regardless of the outcome of the round, if the player holds a straight or higher, he wins an ante bonus (as described below).
Poker hand ranks
There's a slight alteration in the poker hand ranks for this game (compared to most other forms of poker). The reason is that you are less likely to hit a straight draw than you are to get a flush draw. This is the ranking order, starting with the highest three card poker hand at the top:
- Straight flush: 3 cards of the same suit in consecutive order.
- Three of a kind: 3 cards of equal face value.
- Straight: 3 cards of mixed suits in consecutive order.
- Flush: 3 cards from the same suit but not in consecutive order.
- Pair: two cards of equal face value.
- High card: none of the above hands, means you only have a high card.
Three card poker odds and payouts
We described the standard 1:1 payouts in the 3 card poker rules outlined above, but those are just one part of this game. The excitement jumps up a few notches because three card poker also includes an ante bet bonus. The ante bet bonus is based purely on the player's three cards. Therefore, you can win this bet but still lose the round.
Ante bet bonus payouts:
- Straight flush: 5 times the ante bet
- Three of a kind: 4 times the ante bet
- Straight: 1 times the ante bet
Pair Plus bet
Before the start of a hand, players can also make a Pair Plus side bet. Again, this wager is independent of the outcome of your game against the dealer. It's based on the 3 cards you are dealt.
Pair Plus bet payouts:
- Straight flush: 40 to 1
- Three of a kind: 30 to 1
- Straight: 6 to 1
- Flush: 4 to 1
- A pair: 1 to 1
Six Card bonus
The six card bonus is another optional side bet, but not all three card poker games offer this wager. It uses the three player cards and the three dealer cards from which you must form a five-card hand that is on the pay table to win.
Pair Plus bet payouts:
- Royal flush: 1000 to 1
- Straight flush: 200 to 1
- Four of a kind: 50 to 1
- Full house: 25 to 1
- Flush: 15 to 1
- Straight: 10 to 1
- Three of a kind: 5 to 1
These poker hand rankings are more traditional with a royal flush being the best possible hand, and the flush payout is valued higher than the straight.
3 card poker strategy
We can categorize casino card games into two types. The first are games of chance, such as baccarat and Dragon Tiger. The others are decision-based games like blackjack, Caribbean Stud, and Casino Hold'em. Three card poker drops into the second type because the player makes a decision after seeing his cards on whether he wants to fold or continue by making the play bet.
All of these decision-based games have an optimal strategy. However, some of these involve studying playing charts, which dilutes the entertainment value of the game when you first start playing. The 3 card poker strategy doesn't bother with such complexities. In fact, you only need to remember 3 cards.
The optimal three card poker strategy for the ante and play bet is QUEEN – SIX – FOUR
This means if your hand is equal to, or stronger than, Q-6-4, you should always raise and make the play bet. What you need to remember is to look at each card separately.
- Start with your highest card. If it's lower than a Queen – you fold the hand.
- If the highest card is a King or Ace – you raise.
- If the highest card is a Queen, you must look at the second highest card. If lower than 6 – you fold the hand. But, if higher than 6 – you raise.
- If the second highest card is 6, you move onto the third card. Lower than 4 means you fold. 4 or higher, and you raise.
House edge
When choosing what casino games to play, you should always consider the house edge. This is essentially the advantage the casino has. The good news is the three card poker house edge is competitive, which is why this game has grown in popularity.
- The house edge for the ante and play bet combination is 2.01% when using the Q-6-4 strategy described above.
- For the Pair Plus bet, the house edge is 2.32% based on the pay table used in our example. This is reasonable value for a side bet.
- The same cannot be said for the Six Card Bonus bet. It has a house edge of 14.36% using the pay table shown. Therefore, even though the royal flush pays 1000 to 1, this side bet will cripple your bankroll over the long-term.
New players should note that the term ‘house edge' is rarely used these days. Instead, the theoretical return to player (RTP) percentage is given. The RTP can be calculated by: 100% – house edge. Therefore, the RTP for the ante – play bet is 97.99%.
Tips for playing 3 card poker
Using our experience, and from talking with other three card poker players, we've composed a few easy-to-follow tips to help you get more from this game.
- Follow the Q-6-4 strategy. It can be tempting to play J-10-8 because the cards are all reasonably high, but this is not smart, and you will end up losing more than you win.
- Check the pay tables before you play. Several software developers have created their own variants, and there is also live 3 card poker. Just because the title of the game is the same, it doesn't mean the pay tables are. This has an impact on the RTP, and you want to play where you get the best value.
- Avoid the Six Card Bonus wager. The RTP for this bet is 85.64%. That means on average (over the long-term) for every $100 wagered, you win $85.64.
- Manage your bankroll. You don't want to play $20 ante bets, and $20 play bets if you only have $100 in your casino account. Look to divide your budget so you can get 50 to 100 hands out of what you have.
- Practice by playing free three card poker games. Most online casinos, after you have registered, will allow you to play in demo mode. This allows you to practice your playing and betting strategy. Please note, you won't be able to play live 3 card poker games for free.
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Live three card poker
The award-winning Evolution Gaming, in partnership with Scientific Gaming, has created a spectacular live dealer three card poker game. This brings you all the authentic gameplay that you get in a land-based casino, but from the comfort of your own home.
It should be noted that there is usually a trade-off playing live games. Most of the time, the RTP is lower due to the extra costs involved in operating these tables. For instance, we've read reports that the ante bonus on Evolution's live variant pays 5 to 1, but you need a mini royal flush to claim it.
This title also has the two side bets we talked about above. However, the pay table for Pairs Plus is not identical. Playing live, there is a maximum payout of 100 to 1 for a mini royal. This may appear more rewarding, but the payout for a straight is less, so the house edge ends up being higher. With that said, playing three card poker live is a great experience, and we think it's worth trying even though the RTP is not as high.
Where to play online three card poker
Three card poker may not have the iconic status of roulette or blackjack, but it's catching up in the popularity stakes. Thanks to there being both virtual RNG and live games, you can now find this poker variant in hundreds of online casinos around the world, including:
- 888casino
- PlayOJO
- Mr Green
- Ignition
The decision where to play three card poker depends on what you want from the casino. Each operator has its strengths and weaknesses. Some offer larger bonuses, while others have faster payouts or better mobile apps. If you're looking for your first casino, we recommend checking out our online casino reviews section for an honest point of view. In terms of bonuses specific for 3 card poker; the truth is that there aren't many. You can use a casino's welcome bonus to play, but the wagering requirements combined with game weighting limitations means you are unlikely to score a profit from these offers.
Three card poker – F.A.Q.
To summarize the main points of this article, we've included this general three card poker FAQ.
Is there any strategy to 3 card poker?
Yes, and it's very straightforward. The strategy is Queen – Six – Four. If your hand value is lower than that, you fold. If equal or higher, you make the play bet.
What is the highest hand in 3 card poker?
The highest hand is Ace – King – Queen of the same suit. This is known as a mini royal. There are no trump suits in three card poker.
Do I play against other players?
No, three card poker is a player vs dealer game. If you play live, you can play alongside other players although each of you has to take on the dealer.
Can I play free 3 card poker?
Yes, nearly all online casinos that offer an RNG version will allow you to play free 3 card poker in practice mode. Playboy slot machine.
Invented in 1994, Three Card Poker is a fun and simple poker variant. The clue to the twist in the game is in the title; instead of a five-card hand, players are dealt three cards. This relatively new version of poker quickly became a favourite at brick-and-mortar casinos and is equally popular online. Three Card Poker is a deceptively simple game to play, but to master it online you'll need some knowledge about the game, some tips for the best strategy, and a little bit of skill.
- Great Poker Experience
- Wide Range of Bet Limits
The Basics: How to Play 3 Card Poker Online
The layout of any Three Card Poker table is the same; online, offline, wherever you go. The table includes three card spots in front of the dealer, a circular betting spot marked ‘Pair Plus', a diamond betting spot called ‘Ante', and the card spots labelled ‘Play'. There are two basic bets in three hand poker: Pair Plus and ante-play. In ante-play, players make their first bet in the ante spot and predictably in Pair Plus, players make their first bet in the ‘Pair Plus' spot. The Pair Plus bet is a side bet that you don't have to play. The Ante Bet is the main bet in.
The dealer then deals three cards to the players and him- or herself. If you're playing Pair Plus, there's nothing else to do. If playing ante-play then you'll need to decide whether to bet or fold. To play, you must match your ante. To place a bet, players simply click or touch the betting spots on the computer screen or touch-screen device. Generally, your credits will be displayed in a virtual chip stack at the bottom of the screen. You can then select the size of the bet you want to place and click in the betting spot. Each click will add additional bet of the same size as your first selection. To change the size of your bet you can change the amount of the bet increments you add.
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Despite being based on stud poker, the odds in 3 Card Poker are different, largely down to the extra card. Consequently, the hand rankings in 3 card poker are slightly different. Straights, for instance, are less frequent than flushes and are higher ranked as a result. The ranking of hands in 3 Card Poker runs: straight flush, three of a kind, straight, flush, pair, and finally high card.
The pay out on both the ante and Pair Plus side bet is 1-to-1, so you double your money on both bets if the dealer's hand qualifies. The dealer's hand qualifies if the dealer holds a queen high or better. A hand lower than a queen high doesn't qualify and will pay out on the ante bet only. Pairs and flushes will always win out over any hand with a single high card. There additional bonuses for antes which are paid out for straights (1-to-1), three of a kind (4-to-1) and straight flushes pay out at 5-to-1. These bonuses are paid out even if you lose to a dealer's hand. Independent of the dealer's hand, pair plus bets are paid out at 1-to-1 for a pair all the way up to 40-to-1 for a straight flush, so whilst the pair plus bet is optional it can make all the difference between a big win and a huge one.
Why Play Online? The Advantages of Playing Three Card Poker Online
Aside from the obvious advantages of being able to play from home in your pyjamas, there are plenty of other advantages to playing 3 Card Poker online. The following are some of the best reasons to play 3 Card Poker online. One distinct advantage of three card poker online is that there are plenty of social casinos and instructional sites where you can practice with the help of free online three card poker games. These kinds of sites will often provide new players with tips and free credits to help improve their game and learn the game rules. The opportunity to learn and improve your gameplay before risking any money is one that players should relish and take advantage of. The learning curve in competitive card game play can be steep, so it's a good idea to get some practice in before you put real money on the table.
Of course, 3 Card Poker also has the advantage that you can play it pretty much anywhere and at any time. Many live casinos have a chat function that enables players to not only talk with one another but also with the dealer. Players from around the world come together to compete in virtual tournaments and form social clubs online. The social aspect of online gambling is often undersold, but it's there and is one of the advantages of playing games like 3 Card Poker online. Though you might get teased a bit, you can always ask the dealer for a reminder of the 3 Card Poker rules or to explain the basics. If you want to try out other live casino games, check out our live casino games page here.
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Three Card Poker Rules & Tips: Everything You Need To Master The Game
Three Card Poker
As you've seen above, 3 Card Poker is easy to play. In the following, we'll provide you with an overview of the rules and some tips to improve your game strategy. There's only a moderate house edge in 3 Card Poker which means that players have a better chance of winning in 3 Card than in most poker variants. Super times pay free games. Given the two betting styles, the chances of winning big can be a lot higher than in some other poker games.
Depending on if you opt for a Pair Plus bet, strategies can wildly differ in this game. Whenever you bet on Pair Plus, you win whenever your three cards include a pair, flush, straight, three of a kind or straight flush. Given that the player's focus is on pairs, Pair Plus strategy is relatively straightforward. You can't change the odds of the hand you're dealt in Pair Plus so much is out of your hands.
The basic strategy for an ante-play approach is to bet when you hold a Queen-6-4 or better. If your hand isn't as high then you should fold. This means betting on any pair or better. Without a pair or better, then you can make a bet only when your high card is an Ace or a King. In such an instance, the value of your other two cards is irrelevant. With a Jack or lower as your high card then you should fold. This Three Card Poker strategy comes down fundamentally to whether or not your highest card is a Queen or higher and whether or not you have a pair or better.
Check Out These Variants and Our Best Three Card Poker Casino!
Ultimate Three Card Poker is probably the most popular and readily available variant of 3 Card Poker online and with good reason – the play bet can be up to three times the ante instead of equal to it, so the stakes and consequently the wins can be a lot greater. There's no ante bonus to Ultimate 3 Card Poker, but the game does add a blind bet bonus in the ante play. Generally the usual game strategy will work just as well in Ultimate Three Card, though the risks are higher. Instead of just starting with an ante, you have start with both an ante and a blind bet equal to the ante. Only after seeing their cards can players make a bet equal to their ante if they don't have a pair or better. If the player does have a pair or better, then they can make a play bet that's between one or three times the ante. No matter which variant you'll, go for, you'll be well entertained with Three Card Poker. You can play it for real money in our recommended Three Card Poker casino below, or check out our selections of the best casino operators on our homepage!