3 Card Poker Hands To Play Rating: 5,5/10 7613 votes
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31 Jan- When you combine the game of poker with the ability to finish a hand with the speed of other casino games, you get a scaled down poker game that uses only three cards, which is also known as Three Card Poker. The resultant popular table game, 3 Card Poker, has rapidly gained traction as a crowd pleaser because it is both fun and easy to learn.
- The first action in a Three Card Poker hand is a mandatory bet known as the Ante. This wager must be made for a player to take a hand. After making the ante bet (along with the Pair Plus and other side bets, which will be explained below) players receive three cards, as does the dealer.
An Easy Guide on How to Play 3 Card Poker Three Card Poker is played with a single 52-card deck and is actually two games in one. First, the Pair Plus game allows players to wager on whether they will be dealt a Pair or better, or not. Secondly, the Play/Ante game allows players to wager against the house (dealer) to see who has the highest hand. Ok, you now know how the betting works, but how does a 3-card poker hand play out? First up, before the cards appear, you place your ante bet, or if you prefer, the ante and a pair plus bet. Do this and you and the dealer will both be dealt three cards. Your three will be face up, the dealer’s face down. Unlike regular poker, Three Card Poker has each player trying to beat the dealer or simply get dealt a good hand, rather than compete against each other. Both games require very little setup and can easily be played at home. Method 1 Three Card Poker (Casino Game) Download Article.
You can have five cards or seven cards, two in your hand or four, community cards or streets full of them pinging your way, but there is one poker variant that is designed to pit just you against the casino – and that’s 3-card poker!
Unlike the other variants, where you are pitted against a motley assortment of other players, the ingenious 3-card version sees you and the dealer facing off, your goal being to beat the house.
If you’ve played any form of poker before then the three card variety won’t be too difficult to pick up, but of course the rules have a few specific details you have to know. Here’s a quick guide on how to play 3 card poker…
Betting
Ante Bet
You have to bet before you have seen your cards, and the ante bet allows you to do just that.
Pair Plus Bet
If you want to bet that your three cards will contain a pair or better, the pair plus bet can be made alongside your ante. This one doesn’t depend on what the dealer has. They might have a bigger pair, but your pair still wins money.
Play Bet
Equal to your ante bet, this one allows you to compete against the dealer, who will be dealt three cards as well, whether you are playing live or online.
Six Card Bonus Bet
This bet is one for the real gamblers out there, basically a small chance of a huge win if your own three cards in combination with the dealer’s three cards makes one strong 5-card hand.
Most experts on 3-card poker say not to touch this bet with a bargepole if it’s on offer, but that’s entirely your choice – speculate to accumulate is one motto that springs to mind.
Ok, you now know how the betting works, but how does a 3-card poker hand play out?
- First up, before the cards appear, you place your ante bet, or if you prefer, the ante and a pair plus bet.
- Do this and you and the dealer will both be dealt three cards. Your three will be face up, the dealer’s face down.
- If you fancy the look of your cards, you will raise – placing a bet equal to your ante. If you don’t think your hand is any good, then you can fold, losing your initial stake.
- Of course, you’ll need to know how the hand rankings work, and there’s only one small difference from standard poker, and we’ll describe this below.
- The dealer will then reveal their cards and you’ll find out whether you’ve won or not.
How do I know if I have won?
It’s as simple as beating the dealer’s hand, and the dealer HAS to have at least a queen-high hand to play against you. If they don’t, then you’ve already won regardless of your own holding.
You get paid out an amount equal to your ante, and your play bet is also returned.
If the dealer’s hand qualifies to play, and you beat their hand, you get paid out a sum equal to the ante plus the Play bet. Naturally, if you lose then the dealer wins both of your ante and Play bets.
What Is The Best Hand In 3 Card Poker
A tied hand between you and the dealer, as you can imagine, sees both of your bets returned. Suits don’t count as tiebreakers.
How much can I win?
Here’s where the bonuses can come into serious play, and the standard payout bonuses are split into two…
Best Hands In Three Card Poker
Ante Bet Bonus
Straight flush
| 5-1
|
3 of a kind
| 4-1
|
Straight
| 1-1
|
Flush
| no payout
|
One pair
| no payout
|
Pair Plus Bet bonus
Straight flush
| 40-1
|
3 of a kind
| 30-1
|
Straight
| 6-1
|
Flush
| 4-1
|
One pair
| 1-1
|
As you can see, a straight beats a flush in 3-card poker. Also, it’s clear that the Pair Plus bet is where the biggest payouts happen, and don’t require you to beat the dealer to win.
The popular casino game can be played live, while 3 card poker online is one of the most popular virtual games at most online casinos.
One strategy tip you might like to know before trying your hand at the fast-paced, action-filled and potentially very lucrative casino game. The rule of Q64.
You can play and bet every hand you are dealt if you want to, but having a starting hand of at least queen – six – four or better is a golden rule for beginners.
That’s you got the basics of 3-card poker, so good luck at the tables!
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How to Play
Player must place a wager on the Ante box (minimum $5.)
Pair Plus wager is optional (minimum $5.)
After Ante (and optional Pair Plus) wager is made, three cards are dealt to each player. Player will look at all three cards.
- If the player likes their hand, they will match the Ante wager by placing the equal amount in the box.
- If the player dislikes their cards, they may choose to fold, and the Ante and Pair Plus is lost.
How players win:
- If the players’ hand beats the Designated Players’ hand they win
- EVEN MONEY on the Ante wager and Bet wager.
- PAIR PLUS is paid odds if the hand beats the Designated Player on qualifying hands. If the players’ hand ties or does not beat the Designated Players’ hand it will be a push on the Pair Plus.
Payout Scale
Pair Plus Pays:
- Mini Royal Flush: 100 to 1
- Straight Flush: 50 to 1
- Three-of-a-Kind: 30 to 1
- Straight: 6 to 1
- Flush: 4 to 1
- Pair: 1 to 1
- Ante & Play Bet: 1 to 1
Three Card Poker Rules
- Management’s decision is final.
- Orange City Racing and Card Club has zero tolerance for verbal abuse, disruptive behavior, or vulgarity.
- A cardroom operator who has reasonable cause to believe that a player has acted or is acting in an unethical manner, may require the player to leave the game or facility.
- A dealer button will be positioned in front of the Designated Player and will move when there are multipliable Designated Players.
- Each player must bet “ante.” “Pair Plus” is optional.
- Largest denomination will be placed on bottom of a multi denomination bet.
- All hands will be dealt clockwise, from left to right.
- Players are not allowed to touch the cards until they are pushed towards them by the dealer.
- Players will be allowed to play up to two hands, but their second hand must be played in the blind.
- One player to a hand. A player may not seek advice as to the play of their hand.
- Players’ cards must remain in plain view of the Dealer and other players and remain over the table at all times. Players who walk away from the table without acting on their hand will be considered a folded hand.
- Any discrepancy in number of cards dealt to a player and/or the shuffle machine blinks red, it will be considered a dead hand and all cards will be pulled in immediately without the players being allowed to look at their hand.
- Rake will be taken from the Designated Player’s Bank accordingly depending on total amount of wagers placed. (See rake chart posted on table).
- Chips in well are to be used for buy-ins, color ups, or cheque changing. Players must have sufficient money/ chips to complete all wagers of their current hand.
- The Designated Player will be standing near or seated at the three card poker table when hands are dealt.
- Dealer must have a Q high to qualify for BET wager placed by player.
- All payouts will be paid by the Designated Player.
- All losing bets will be awarded to the Designated Player.
- Players will get paid on Pair Plus Bet according to the posted payout structure if the hand has a pair or better. If the dealers’ hand is higher than the players’ hand, they push on the pair plus. The player must beat the dealer in order to get paid on the pair plus bet.
- The “pair plus” payouts are listed on the layout.
- The English only rule will be enforced while a hand is in progress whether players have cards or not. This includes sign language.
- The poker room is not responsible for player’s chips left unattended or on the table.
- Cash does not play.
- Players may not enter a game after the last two hands have been called at closing.
- The games’ betting limit or type will not be changed unless approved by management.
- There will be no objects allowed on the table other than chips and cards.
- Players may leave their seat for a maximum of 10 minutes and must inform a Dealer or floor person. Management reserves the right to remove the player’s chips and open the seat to waiting players.
- Players will be called into the game when there is a waiting list. If there is no list and open seats a player can sit down to play.
- The house reserves the right to limit players to one hand. The house reserves the right to require that any two players not play in the same game.
- No smoking, chewing tobacco, or electronic cigarettes are allowed in the poker room.
- No credit will be extended by the House.
- No side bets permitted in the House. A side bet is any bet made between players on anything other than poker. This includes sports bets, buying another player’s high hand, betting on the next card to come out, betting who will win the hand, etc. This rule also applies to any form of online gaming whether for real or play money. Cell phones are not permitted on the table surface or in a cup holder, but are allowed on the rail.
- Cell phone communication is not permitted while a player is in a live hand (This includes surfing the web, texting, and changing music). Players may not use device to access any type of online gaming whether for real or play money. (This includes poker, slots, blackjack, bingo, sports bets, etc.)
- iPods, MP3 players, tablets, and laptops are permitted, but must remain off the table. If the electronic devices become a distraction and deters from the play on the table, the player may be asked to discontinue use while playing. Players may not use device to access any type of online gaming whether for real or play money. (This includes poker, slots, blackjack, bingo, sports bets, etc.)
- If a player wishes to contest the results of completed hand, they must do so prior to start of the next hand. The first riffle of the shuffle marks the start of the next hand. If an automatic shuffler is used, the hand begins when the green button is pushed.
- Three Card Poker is not Jackpot eligible.
- Photos or electronic recordings are not to be taken in the Poker Room unless authorized by management.
- Must be18 years of age or older to play and have a valid US identification to enter the Poker Room.
- Hoodies are allowed to be worn while playing at a table, but must be taken down when away from the table.
- Shoes must be worn at all times while in the Poker Room.
- No offensive attire is allowed in the Poker Room.
- No firearms or weapons are permitted in the Poker Room.
- No loitering in the Poker Room.
3 Card Poker Hands To Play Canasta
The Designated Player Requirements:
Must provide $30,000 per table for initial operational start up and maintain $30,000 in play per hand.
See designated player Rules in poker room.
Per Florida Regulation 61D-11.002(5)(b): In 3-Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Holdem,Fortune Pai Gow, and One Card Poker the dealer button will rotate around the table in a clockwise fashion on a hand by hand basis to provide each player desiring to the designated player an equal opportunity to participate as the designated player.
60. Per Florida Regulation 61D-11.002(5)(c): In 3-Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Holdem,2 Card Poker, and One Card Poker, the room does not require the designated player to cover all potential wagers.
Last Updated 7/14/2017 – Please see host for current rules and listing. The rules listed at the host will always be the most current and up to date version of these rules.