Three Card Poker uses a standard 52-card deck and two main wagers: an optional Pair Plus side bet (paid by a table) and an Ante-and-Play contest against the dealer. The dealer must usually qualify with Queen-high or better. If the dealer fails to qualify, the ante pays even money and the play bet pushes. If the dealer qualifies, higher hands win even money; ties push. Basic strategy: raise with Q-6-4 or better on the Ante-and-Play bet. Check Pair Plus pay tables before betting; free-play demos are widely available.

What 3 Card Poker is

Three Card Poker is a casino table game based on standard poker hands but played with just three cards per player. It's widely offered in U.S. casinos and on regulated online casino sites. You can usually try free-play/demo versions on casino websites or apps before wagering real money.

Basic setup and bets

The game uses a standard 52-card deck shuffled between hands. Each active player and the dealer receive three cards.

There are two main wagers you can make:

  • Pair Plus: an optional bet that pays if your three-card hand contains a pair or better. Payouts and pay tables vary by casino.
  • Ante (Ante-and-Play): you place an ante to start the hand. After seeing your cards you can fold (lose the ante) or make a Play (raise) bet equal to the ante.
Pair Plus is resolved against a posted pay table; it does not compare your hand to the dealer's hand.

Dealer qualification and how hands resolve

For the Ante-and-Play contest the dealer must "qualify" to play. The standard qualification is Queen-high or better (dealer holds a Queen or a higher-ranked high card).

If the dealer does not qualify: the ante bet pays even money (1:1) and the Play bet is returned (a push).

If the dealer qualifies: the dealer's three-card hand is compared to each active player's hand. If your hand beats the dealer's, you win even money on both the ante and the Play. If the dealer's hand beats yours, you lose both bets. If the hands tie, both ante and Play bets push (returned).

Hand rankings (high to low)

  • Straight flush (three consecutive cards of the same suit)
  • Three of a kind
  • Straight (three consecutive cards of mixed suits)
  • Flush (three cards of the same suit)
  • Pair
  • High card

Basic strategy

For the Ante-and-Play wager the widely accepted basic rule is: raise (make the Play bet) with Queen-6-4 or better; otherwise fold. This simple rule is near-optimal for most standard pay tables and keeps decisions fast.

For Pair Plus there's no decision after the deal; you win or lose based on the pay table. Pay tables vary, so check the posted table before you play. A commonly seen Pair Plus example pays more for straights and three-of-a-kind, but exact odds and payouts differ by casino and should be confirmed on site.

Practical tips

  • Check the Pair Plus pay table before betting; small pay-table differences change the house edge.
  • Use the Q-6-4 rule for Ante-and-Play to simplify play.
  • Try free-play demos to learn pacing and table etiquette without risk.
3 Card Poker is fast, easy to learn, and combines simple decision points with optional side-bet excitement.
  1. Confirm common Pair Plus pay table examples and their typical payout ratios (e.g., straight flush, three of a kind, straight, flush, pair) and update text if needed.

FAQs about 3 Card Poker

What does "dealer qualification" mean?
Dealer qualification means the dealer must hold a specified minimum hand (typically Queen-high or better) for Ante-and-Play hands to be fully compared. If the dealer fails to qualify, the ante pays even money and the Play bet is returned.
How does Pair Plus differ from the Ante bet?
Pair Plus is an independent side bet that pays according to a posted pay table if your three-card hand is a pair or better. The Ante is part of the head-to-head contest against the dealer and is resolved by dealer qualification and hand comparisons.
What is the simplest basic strategy for Ante-and-Play?
The commonly used basic strategy is to make the Play bet (raise) with Queen-6-4 or better and fold with any lower hand.
Do ties favor the player?
No. In the Ante-and-Play contest, a tie (push) returns both ante and Play bets to the player; it does not count as a win.
Can I practice 3 Card Poker without risking money?
Yes. Many online casinos and gaming sites offer free-play or demo versions so you can learn rules, pacing, and strategy before wagering real funds.

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