How to Play 3 Card Poker

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Exotic 3 Card Poker is an exciting but relatively new card game variation. 

Derek Webb, a poker enthusiast from Britain and former Prime Table Games proprietor invented it in 1994 (protected by patent rights in 1997). Yet, it was first introduced at the Grand Casino Gulfport in Mississippi, USA. This information can be easily found on Wikipedia 🤓

Nowadays, one can find this format in many ground-based and online casinos. Gameplay is simple yet captivating and exhilarating, you will understand its rules and nuances in just a few hands. 

However, it's advisable to acquaint yourself with the basic theory first, and we’re here to assist you with that. Let's get started!

Hierarchy of 3 Card Poker Hands

Combinations, their strength, and the number of elements in a set deviate from traditional poker disciplines. Here's what you can collect in the discussed game (hands are listed in descending order):

As you can see, straights are more powerful than flushes, while triplet comes over straight and flush. Ace is regarded as the lowest card to complete an A-2-3 straight.

Essential Guidelines of the Game

What are the rules for Three Card Poker? This format requires a very standard playing deck, which is composed of 52 pieces (without jokers). Similarly to Caribbean poker rules, here you also vie with a dealer. Only three cards are at the player’s disposal, as implied by the name. No shared board, and no possibility to exchange what you’re holding. It should also be pointed out that Ace serves as both high and low.

The number of boxes (seats) is limited, so no more than 6 people can play at one table. Being the only active gambler, you are allowed to take up several spots, that is to say, run multiple games simultaneously. In this case, your bet sizes can differ across each individual box.

Three Card Poker Rules for Ante Game

How Winnings Are Paid Out

Ante game involves both standard and bonus rewards. Regular payouts directly depend on the gambler's and croupier's hands, as they are compared to determine the winning one. They are paid according to the following scheme:

• Dealer fails to qualify

That is, their combo doesn’t allow them to continue participating in the action. In this situation, ante is paid out 1:1, and play bet is refunded in full.

• Dealer qualifies, but their hand is inferior to that of the player

In this scenario, their cards meet the requirements to enter the game, but they are weaker than yours. Both regular bet and ante are granted 1:1.

• Dealer qualifies for the game and wins it

This outcome results in both of your bets being lost. Your opponent got a superior hand, which proved to be stronger than yours.

• Dealer qualifies, but there is a tie result

Both you and the croupier have hands of equal ranking, resulting in no winner. In this case, you receive all the money spent on bets back.

Ante Bonus

This extra payout does not predicate upon your rival's holding at all. It is awarded in addition to the standard win if the player completes any of the following combinations:

Pair Plus Round: Specificities & Payouts

In fact, "Pair +" is a sort of a prop bet that the player will get at least a pair (any value) or better. Dealer's cards are not taken into account in this case and cannot affect hand outcome. When your combo is worse than a pair, the casino takes away your Pair Plus bet, and a new round begins. If you’re dealt a qualifying hand, gameplay follows the same steps as the above-mentioned ante variant.

Pair + paytable

A Few Hand Examples to Consider

Let's consider a few hand examples to gain a clearer idea of the game as well as possible betting options. Putting theory into practice, so to speak.

Example #1

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Having paid a $10 ante, a player received a frankly weak hand – 9♣7♣4♥. In such situations, it's best to fold immediately, and that's exactly what Hero did. They only lost 10 dollars (i.e. the mandatory bet).

Example #2

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Hero placed two bets (ante and pair+), each amounting to $10. They were dealt 2♦2♠K♣, meaning that their pair plus bet played due to a pair of deuces. The player chooses to go ahead by betting $10. The dealer flips over their cards, which turn out to be weaker. Luck is on Hero's side, and their net winnings total $20 (pair + reward and standard prize money for a successful round).

Good Choices for Beginners and Amateurs

Final Thoughts

Three-card poker has achieved popularity among those who appreciate non-traditional formats. There’s no need to fret over whether outs come, as you are dealt a complete hand from the start. To win, you need to beat only a dealer, and not 2-9 other opponents.

Bluffing plays a significant role in card games, but you won’t have to resort to it or other strategic techniques – almost everything here depends on lady luck. But, if you're yearning for the thrill of calling, raising, and beating opponents, you might find the variation of Short Deck Poker intriguing. This is a favourite format of Tom Dwan, an expert in identifying a worthy game.