3 Card Poker Rules

While most casino games like blackjack and roulette have a long and storied history, often dating back to the 18th/19th century, 3-card poker is a much more recent invention. It was created in 1994 by British inventor Derek Webb. He wanted to develop a poker game that played at the same speed as the other popular casino table games but that incorporated aspects of poker.

Despite being created in the UK, he was encouraged by the British Casino Association to market the game to US casinos first. The reason was that the UK had specific gambling regulations that restricted his ability to launch there. So they needed convincing before they would look into making any rule changes.

After unsuccessful pitches in Las Vegas, Reno, and Atlantic City, Derek eventually found a casino that would host the game – the Grand Casino Gulfport in Mississippi. After Webb had personally trained the dealers to run the game, it became a massive success in the casino, and other properties started to accept the game in their establishments. After the initial boom, it was only a matter of time before the government changed the UK gambling regulations in 2002 to allow for the introduction of 3-card poker.

Now we know the aim of the game and the hands we can make; how do we bet on it? 3-card poker has a two-part betting system. First, before the hand is dealt, you make an ante bet in the middle of your betting zone – this is your first betting decision. The dealer then deals you your three-card poker hand and their hand face down. If multiple people are playing, you’re only allowed to look at your hand, not anyone else’s.

Once you have received your hand, you need to decide whether to fold or call – this is the second betting decision. Folding means you forfeit the ante bet you’ve made, with no way to win the hand. Calling means you match the ante bet you’ve made and see if your hand beats the dealer’s hand.

A standard side bet is available in 3-card poker called “Pair Plus.” This is a separate wager on whether or not your hand will be a pair or better. The side bet pays increasingly higher returns, the stronger hand you have. It usually pays 1/1 for making a pair and up as high as 40/1 for a straight flush. The dealer’s hand has no impact on whether or not you win this bet.

An ante bonus is also awarded to players if they make a straight or better. The standard payouts for this bonus are 1/1 for a straight, 4/1 for three of a kind, and 5/1 for a straight flush. This is a bonus played out regardless of who wins the hand, so even if the dealer manages to beat you; you get to keep your bonus.

So, now that you have a basic understanding of how to play 3-card poker, how can you play it well? Unfortunately, being a casino game, there isn’t a way to win consistently. However, it has a low house edge compared to other games – 3.3% – as long as you play optimally. Luckily, playing optimally is incredibly simple in 3-card poker compared to some games like blackjack. So, all you need to do is follow these two simple rules, and you can play perfect 3-card poker.

Do Not Play Side Bets

As tempting as they might be – especially when you see the 40/1 return on a straight flush – you should never play any of the side bets. Doing so will increase the casino’s house edge by almost double, meaning there’s a higher chance you walk away a loser.

Avoid these bets if you’re looking to play as well as possible to make your money last. However, if you’re just looking to gamble, do whatever you think will be the most fun.

Remember One Hand Combination

The great thing about 3-card poker is that you only need to learn one-hand combinations to play optimally. Compared to the dozens of rules you need to remember for basic blackjack strategy, 3-card poker is a walk in the park.

That hand combination is Q64. Call with that hand and everything higher, and fold everything else to play perfectly.

It’s as easy as that. You’ve just learned how to play perfect 3-card poker!