SUPPLIES
Overview
Three card poker is an exciting and fast-paced table game that can be found in most casinos. Unlike ordinary poker games in which players bet against one another, three card poker players play against the house. Follow these steps to enjoy a complete hand of three card poker and try your luck.
Step 1
Take a seat at a three card poker table and buy some wagering chips if you haven't already.
Step 2
Decide whether you want to place a bet for Pair Plus, Ante and Play or both. A Pair Plus bet only wins if you get dealt a pair or better in your next three-card hand. An Ante and Play bet gives you an opportunity to look at your hand and decide if you want to play it against the dealer's hand by posting an additional bet of the same size as the ante. If you choose not to play against the dealer's hand, you must forfeit the ante bet. You can post either bet or both simultaneously, but you must post at least one.
Step 3
Place your bet or bets. Wait for the dealer to deal three cards to you, himself and all other players at the table.
Step 4
Look at your three-card hand and see where it falls in the hierarchy of hands. The best hand is a straight flush, or three cards of the same suit in consecutive order. The next best hand is three of a kind, or three cards of the same rank. Next is a straight, or three cards of different suits in consecutive rank order. Next is a flush, or three nonconsecutive cards of the same suit. The next best hand is a pair, or two cards of the same rank. If you do not have any of these hands, the strength of the hand is determined by the rank of the highest ranked card.
Step 5
Decide whether you want to play your hand against the dealer if you posted an Ante and Play bet. If you do not, fold your hand and surrender your ante bet to the dealer. If you do, post another bet in the same amount as the ante and expose your hand. The dealer needs a queen high or better to qualify; if the dealer does not qualify, you win even money on your ante bet and get to take your second bet back. If the dealer qualifies and you win, you win even money on both bets. If the dealer qualifies and you lose, you lose both bets. If the dealer qualifies and you tie, you don't win anything, but you get to take both wagers back.
Step 6
Show your hand to the dealer if you placed a Pair Plus bet. If you were dealt a pair, you win even money on that bet. Payouts for better hands vary, but most casinos pay out 4 to 1 for flushes, 6 to 1 for straights, 30 to 1 for three of a kind and 40 to 1 for straight flushes.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- WARNING : You must be of legal gambling age in the country where you intend to play if you want to play three card poker in a casino.
Three card poker odds favor the house.
