How to Play Three Card Poker

Hand Rankings and Payouts for Tri Card Poker

Three Card Poker, also called Tri Card Poker in the online casinos is one of the classic casino games and very easy to learn. The game is played between the dealer and the player. This means the other players at the table will play no part in whether you win or lose. Three card poker uses a standard deck of 52 cards. The game consists of two hands which allows you to win some, all or more than your bets back. At the same time it also means you can lose both bets. The two games consist of the Ante and Raise and the Pair Plus. The object of betting on the Ante and Raise is that your hand must beat the dealer’s hand using a three card poker hand ranking. In Pairs Plus, players are wagering on whether their hand will contain at least a pair or better. In Three Card Poker players have the option to be on one hand, or both hands with no restrictions as to which hand you want to bet on.

Once a player has placed the Ante bet, the player is dealt three cards face up and the dealer will than take his three cards face down. If you think your hand can beat the dealers you will have the option to raise which forces you to place a bet equal to the ante bet. If you feel the dealers hand will beat yours you can opt to fold however the Ante bet will be lost. If you did Raise your hand, the dealer will reveal his three cards and must have a Q or higher in order to play. Your hand will play against the dealers and if your hand beats his, you will be paid according to the chart below. If the dealer does not hold at least a Q, the hands will not play against each other. The player will receive 1/1 on his original Ante bet and the Raise bet will be considered a push. If the players hand has a straight or better according to the three card poker hand rankings, the player will be paid based on the Ante bonus. Ante bonus must have been placed prior to receiving any cards. Before placing any bets you may want to read our article on losing casino bets you should avoid.

Pairs Plus can only be won if the player was dealt a pair or better. This is a separate bet from the Ante and will be paid according to the chart below. Players should note that you will be required to place your bet first before seeing any cards when wagering on Pairs Plus. Any wins in Pairs Plus pays 1:1. Additionally if you bet on the Ante but fold your Raise you also lose your bet placed on Pairs Plus.

Three Card Poker Rules:

Both dealer and players receive their three cards with the dealers cards face down
Pair plus winnings are paid based on the pay table below.
Dealer must hold a Q to play
Three card straights always out rank any three card flushes in 3 Card Poker.

3 Card Poker Hand Values

Cards are ranked from 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace, with 2 being lowest and ace being highest. Players will use a three card hand ranking to determined hands. Thus a straight is higher than a flush.