How to Play 3 Card Poker

Three card poker was developed in 1994 by Derek Webb. Since its creation, 3 card poker has gained immense popularity at both online and real-time casinos. This is a 52 card single deck game, played in two modes. The first mode is called Ante and Play, and the second is Pair Plus.

In Ante/Play mode, you play against the dealer. The objective of this mode is to see whether the dealer or you have the higher hand. In Pair Plus mode you place a wager on or against the possibility of you being dealt a pair.

Game setting

Each player will have in front of him, three circles to wager for. The top circle allows players to wager on the Pair Plus mode. The middle and bottom circles allow players to wager for the Ante and Play modes respectively. When the game begins, place a wager in the Ante or Pair Plus circles. Your wager should fulfill the table minimum.

Following the betting, the shuffle master machine deals three card hands that are given to each player by the dealer. The first hand is given to the first player at the dealer’s left and subsequent cards are handed to other players in a clockwise manner.

Ante/Play Mode

On making a wager on the Ante mode, players look at their hand and either decide to play or fold. By folding, you forfeit the wager for Ante. To continue playing, make a second wager in the Play circle. The Play wager has to be for the same amount as that for Ante.

Once all players have decided about folding and playing, the dealer reveals his three card hand. If the dealer has a hand with a Queen or higher, he qualifies and the game continues. On the other hand, if the dealer does not have a Queen or higher, active players in that hand are given their Ante wager money. Their Play wager will also be returned.

If the dealer’s hand qualifies, his hand and players’ hands are compared. If your hand is higher than the dealer’s, your Ante and Play money will be given to you. But, if the dealer’s hand is higher than yours, you lose both Ante and Play wagers. In case it’s a tie, you win the hand.

Pair Plus

In a Pair Plus wager, the only objective is to see whether the cards you have comprises of a pair or higher. If you have a bet on both the Ante and Pair Plus mode, it does not matter whether the dealer qualifies or beats you in Ante. On having a pair or better in a hand, you win and on not having one, you lose the mode.

Hand Ranking

Compared to traditional five card hands, three card poker has a different hand ranking. They are straight flush, three of a kind, straight, flush, pair and high card. For a straight flush, a hand should have three cards from the same suit in succession. In three of a kind, there will be three cards – all of equal rank. For a straight, three cards of mixed suits but in sequence are required. You get a flush if you have three cards from the same suit and a pair if you have two of the same rank. A high card is when you have the highest card.