Three Card Poker

A fast poker-based table game played with three cards, combining an optional 'Pair Plus' bet on your own hand strength with an 'Ante and Play' bet against the dealer.

Definition

In Three Card Poker each player and the dealer receive three cards, and hands are ranked with a straight beating a flush (because straights are rarer with only three cards). The game has two independent wagers. Pair Plus pays based purely on your own hand (a pair or better) regardless of the dealer. Ante-and-Play is a bet against the dealer: after seeing your cards you either fold or make a Play bet equal to the Ante; the dealer must have Queen-high or better to 'qualify'. If the dealer does not qualify, the Play bet pushes and the Ante pays even money. Bonus payouts on strong Ante hands exist regardless of the dealer. The Ante-Play element of risk is roughly 2%, while Pair Plus edges vary by paytable.

Worked example

You post a $10 Ante and are dealt Q-10-6. Following standard strategy you make the $10 Play bet (the common rule is to play Queen-6-4 or better). The dealer shows J-9-2, which fails to reach Queen-high and so does not qualify: your Play bet pushes and your Ante pays $10 even money.

Why it matters

For learners, Three Card Poker teaches how a single game can bundle a house-versus-player bet with a pure side bet at different edges. For professionals, the dealer-qualification rule and the straight-beats-flush ranking are frequent points that must be explained clearly.

Related

Note: The Ante-Play house edge is about 3.37% per ante (roughly 2% as element of risk); Pair Plus edge is commonly around 2-7% depending on the specific paytable.