Games involving three cards have been around for a very long time, most notably the game of three card brag, which goes back to the 16th century. Three card games are fairly new to the casino world though, but it does offer the benefit of simplicity which both casinos and casino players tend to love.
Poker has a rich history and is a game that people have really enjoyed playing for a long time, and casinos often will offer it in several forms, although the action does tend to be on the slower side compared to most casino games. In particular, the thought process of players can often result in more deliberation than the casino would prefer, and casinos make money by the hour basically, so the slower the action, the less they tend to make.
This is why, with casino poker, the decisions by the players are simplified, even though there still may be some strategy involved. The art of bluffing is taken out of the game entirely, as is the concern about what hands your opponents may hold, and the goal is to get the games to proceed much like blackjack, where players are simply making decisions whether to stay or fold, much like blackjack has them deciding whether to hit or stand.
So three card poker was invented by poker player Derek Webb in 1994 to come up with a fast paced version that combined the excitement of poker with the speed that casinos desire, and was also easy for players to understand.
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Casinos didn’t exactly line up to roll out the new game though and it’s not always easy to promote a new casino game, as while casinos are somewhat open to new ideas, new games compete alongside ones that are already well tried and true and you have to show them that they will really benefit from running a new one.
So after Webb failed to convince casino owners in Las Vegas, Reno, and Atlantic City to give three card poker a try, he then tried his luck at a casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, where he agreed to personally train their dealers and teach players the rules for free.
The game proved to be successful and now we see three card poker being offered at a variety of casinos, both live and online. It certainly does have an appeal of its own and a lot of that appeal is indeed the very fast pace of the game, where you can pack a whole lot of action in per hour.
How Three Card Poker Works
Since the game is called three card poker, players are dealt three cards each, and they look to make the best poker hand with them. Actually this is not even a matter of making the best poker hand, it is simply a matter of seeing what poker hand one is dealt, and then comparing it with the three card poker hand dealt to the dealer, and seeing who wins.
So there are no cards drawn here, the cards are just dealt and then revealed and based upon this result, bets are paid out or not. It’s not hard to see that this game was specifically built for speed and achieves this goal very well.
Prior to the deal, players may place two forms of bets, the ante and the pair plus bet. In some casinos the ante is mandatory, but players of course must place one or the other form of bets, or both, in order to participate.
After a player gets dealt his or her hand, they may either fold or place a “play” wager equal to the ante. If they fold, they forfeit the bets they already have made. If they play on, and the dealer does not have a qualifying hand of a queen high or better, the ante bet gets paid out 1:1 and the play bet is returned.
If the dealer has a qualifying hand, and the player wins, both the ante and the play wagers get paid out 1:1. If not, the bets are lost. If the player has a pair or better and placed a pair plus wager, they get paid out according to the strength of the hand, with a pair paying 1:1 and stronger hands earning higher payouts.
How To Play Three Card Poker
Unlike some casino games, the strategy with three card poker is very straightforward. Technically, players should fold hands weaker than Q-6-4, which is easy to remember, although playing on with a queen or better hand is very close to optimal and is also one that players can remember even more easily.
Making pair plus bets should actually be avoided, as the house edge with these bets is quite a bit higher than with the ante and play bets, which is often the case with additional optional bets at casino games generally. The ante and play bets have a very acceptable house edge of around 2%, where the pair plus bets tend to have considerably poorer odds for the player.
Overall, three card poker is a very simple and relaxing way to gamble, which is interesting enough to capture the interest of a lot of players and therefore provide a most entertaining way of spending time at a casino.
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3 Card Poker is a fun real money casino game that is easy to learn. This casino poker game is interesting and a little less complicated than traditional poker, which makes it perfect for newbies.
The goal of the game is to make the best poker hand possible with three cards. Simple and quick, this game is one that can be played online and at land-based casinos.
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Top Three Reasons To Play 3 Card Poker For Real Money
Three Card Poker is fun and less intimidating than other poker formats. Here are a few reasons why you should give real money 3 Card Poker a try.
You Play Against The House.
You won’t need to try and read your opponents or make moves based on whether or not a player is bluffing. You simply must beat the house to win.
It Is Easier To Play Than Other Poker Games.
Work with the cards you are dealt to hopefully earn a winning hand. It is as simple as that. Read more about rules and payouts below
The Game Can Be Very Profitable.
Three Card Poker is a real money game that can be lucrative for those who play often. Learning the best-paying hands and taking strategy into consideration will give you the highest potential for a win.
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Steps To Start Playing 3 Card Poker At An Online Casino
- Sign up or log in to an online casino account: New players will need to sign up for an online casino account at sites such as El Royale or BetOnline. After registration, sign in to your account
- Deposit funds: You will need to deposit funds before you start playing. Visit the cashier and use your selected banking method to place money in your account. Many casinos allow deposits starting at just $10 or $20.
- Select table games: To find Three Card Poker games, go to the site’s “Games” section and select the “Table Games” tab.
- Click your game of choice: Find a 3 Card Poker game you want to play and click on it. You should see “Play Now” or “Real money” on the game icon. By clicking this option, it opens the game for you to play.
- Place your bets: Use the chips at the table on your computer or mobile screen to place your bet. Once your bet is placed, the cards are dealt and you are playing 3 Card Poker for real money!
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How To Play Three Card Poker: Basic Rules
Real money 3 Card Poker is played with a 52-card deck and betting chips. To begin playing, you will need to place your bet.
There are two betting options, the Ante and the Pair Plus:
- The Ante is a bet where you play your hand against the dealer. Your goal is to have the highest-ranking hand.
- With the Pair Plus bet, your goal is to have a hand with a pair or better. The dealer’s hand is not considered in this bet. This is one way that 3 Card Poker varies from traditional poker.
You can place one or both bets per hand. Once the bets are made, three cards are dealt face down to the players and the dealer in the hand. You are trying to beat the dealer, so unlike traditional poker, you do not have to worry about what the other players are doing.
As the game proceeds, each player will decide if they will discard their hand or play. A discard provides the dealer with the ante and any Pair Plus bet.
Players who choose to keep playing will need to bet. The play bet must be the same as the ante. Next, the player reveals their cards, as does the dealer. The hands are compared and money is paid out accordingly, based on the bets placed.
3 Card Poker Hands
Just like in regular poker, you will need to learn the ranking of Three Card Poker hands before you sit at the table.
- The best hands of course are going to involve a Straight Flush, 3-of-a-Kind or a Straight.
- On the lower end, a high card with non-pairs or value plus a kicker will provide a lesser payout.
The image on the right shows the ranking of 3 Card Poker hands. By learning more about the game, you will set yourself up for success, whether you play online or in person!
Is Tri Card Poker Any Different?
Actually, Tri Card Poker is exactly the same game as 3 Card Poker. You can rest assured: the two games share the same rules, so if you’ve played one of them before, you can easily switch to the other one without having to learn anything new.
In Tri Card Poker, you are also trying to beat the house (and not other players) and you are also dealt only three cards. It is only the name that differs: while some casinos choose to call this three-card variation of traditional poker “Three Card Poker”, others go for “Tri Card Poker” instead.
3 Card Poker Payouts
As you may have noticed, one way 3 Card Poker varies from traditional poker is the bets you place. It is important to understand the difference between these two bets.
The Ante bet is one you place to beat the dealer with your three card hand. The Pair Plus is a bet you place to make a hand with a pair or better. You can also play both bets if you like, which will play a role in how much you earned based on what hand you win with.
The Three Card Poker payouts for these wagers will vary depending on the casino you are playing at, but these are the standard paytables.
Pair Plus Side Bet Payouts |
---|
Straight Flush: 40 to 1 |
Three of a Kind: 30 to 1 |
Straight: 6 to 1 |
Flush: 4 to 1 |
One Pair: 1 to 1 |
Ante Bonus Payouts |
---|
Straight Flush: 5 to 1 |
Three of a Kind: 4 to 1 |
Straight: 1 to 1 |
Flush: No Bonus |
One Pair: No Bonus |
Use Three Card Poker Strategy To Win More Often
If you like the game of Three Card Poker and want to win more often, it is best to implement a strategy.
First, you can learn the poker hands needed to win the most money as well as set a budget when playing. However, the most important tip for Three Card Poker is to use an optimal strategy.
This strategy tells you what hands to play and fold to increase your odds against the house.
Optimal 3 Card Poker Strategy
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With optimal strategy for the poker game, you generally play hands that have a value of Q-6-4 or better. Anything else, you fold. Choosing to play in this manner will lower the house edge in your favor.
In general, the table game has a house edge of around 2% long-term. However, depending on where you play, the edge will vary based on the type of bet you place, be it Ante, Pair Plus or both.
Try Your Hand At 3 Card Poker & Win Some Cash!
As you can see, Three Card Poker for real money is a fun game you can easily play, even as a beginner. As you play and learn more about winning hands and strategy, you can make moves to build a solid bankroll.
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