Play 3 Card Poker Online for Real Money

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Updated on: March 1st, 2024


3 Card PokerThree card poker is a table game played with 3 cards and offers simple betting. Playing 3 card poker online is easy, you can make a deposit and start playing for real money. Alternatively, you can play 3 card poker for free in practice mode.

Three card poker is a game between the player and the dealer. The winner must have a hand better than the dealers. The game is easy to master follow along as we help you learn how to play. We have also listed the best casinos to play 3 card poker games for free or real money.

Best Three Card Poker Online Casinos

1
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3
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Real Money Three Card Poker

There is no pot system in 3 card poker and some games are played without the compulsory ante bet. The fundamental difference between basic poker and three-card poker is the notable absence of the small and big blind. There are no additional cards drawn or requested, your fate is in the cards you get initially. You can bet on having a pair or having a hand better than the dealer’s hand. Let’s get into what the best hands are in 3 card poker.

Three Card Poker

Best Three Card Poker Hands

The winning hands in 3 card poker follow the same standard poker hands. Different 3 card poker casinos online have slightly varying payouts for winning hands.

  • Straight flush – three cards of the identical suit and value  (e.g. Q❤️Q❤️Q❤️ )
  • Three of a kind – three cards of the same value ( e.g. 777)
  • Straight – three cards in sequence or order of rank in varying suits (e.g. 3; 4; 5)
  • Flush- a hand of three cards of the same suit (e.g. K♦️10♦️5♦️)
  • Pair – Two cards of any suit of similar rank
  • High card – a hand made up of any cards but not forming any of the above-mentioned hands.

3 Card Poker Hand Probabilities

Rank Probability
Straight flush 0.22%
Three of a kind 0.24%
Straight 3.26%
Flush 4.96%
Pair 16.94%
High card 74.39%

How to Play Three Card Poker

The game starts with bets from all players before the cards are dealt. The available bets are ante, pair plus or both. When the player has received their three cards they can decide to play or fold. If the player is confident that their hand is better than the dealer’s they will play another bet equal to the ante. Hands will thereafter be revealed, to see whether the player has won or lost. With pair or plus bets, the payout is dependent on the hand rank.

Ante Bet

The ante bet depends on three things. By placing an ante bet you are hoping that your hand is better than the dealers. That is already a lot of risk you are taking on.

To win, your hand has to be better than the dealers

You can have a good hand and still lose your main bet

To get an ante bonus you will have to get three specific hands: a straight or three of a kind or a straight flush.  Without those three hands you will lose out completely.

The ante bet is a wager on getting a hand better than the dealers.

Pair Plus Bet

A Pair plus is a player betting on that they will get a pair or better. The pair plus bet is a safer bet and it can have some really great rewards. This bet unlike the ante bet is solely focusing on what your hand will be. You are betting that you will have a pair or better. In betting on the pair plus bet you need to take into account what the odds of getting particular hands are.

Granted, there are 5 possible ways you can get a payout if you bet pair plus. However, there is no possible cushion against loss, as with the ante bonus. Therefore, it means even as the potential reward is great, if you realise that the hand you have been dealt is poor you have no recourse.

Best Three Card Poker Strategy – How to Cheat 3 Card Poker

In order to “cheat” three card poker you need to understand the fundamental differences and odds of the two main bets of the game. The ante bet has certain odds, payouts and risks attached to it. In like manner the pair plus bet also has different odds, rewards and risks attached to it.

Three card poker may require a strategy similar to card counting, especially if you are making the ante bet. Using the cards that are placed in front of you; you could use card counting strategies to postulate and estimate what’s the likelihood of that dealer having a hand bet than yours is.

This brings us to the other aspect of formulating a strategy for 3 card poker. Your plan of action depends on what bet you place. How you play when you bet pair plus must be different from how you play when you bet ante.

A good way to cushion yourself against losses is to place an ante bet since it comes with a bonus payout. The bonus pays out whether your hand is better than the dealer’s hand or not.

What are the Payouts for Three Card Poker?

Your payout in 3 card poker depends on the hand and the bet you placed. There are 22,100 different hand combinations possible in 3 card poker.

Ante bonus Payout Pair Plus Payout
5 to 1 40 to 1
4 to 1 30 to 1
1 to 1 6 to 1
3 to 1
1 to 1

Mobile Three Card Poker App

3 card poker’s simplicity lends itself well to mobile gaming. As a matter of fact, three card poker was one of the first poker or card games to be available on mobile casino platforms. Playing on mobile is not any different than how you would play on desktop. Table layout, odds, rules and strategy doesn’t change at all. Even the graphic and resolution are at par since casino game developers have focus on the mobile aspect nowadays.

A three card poker app is not the only way to enjoy the game on your android or iOS device. In fact all the top casinos we list here allow players access to all gambling games including this one via their mobile browsers. While a singular app makes sense but not all players want to download an app for just one casino game. So if you would like an app with 3 card poker games then download or sign up to any of the casinos we recommend and review here.

Who Invented 3 Card Poker?

Three-card poker is a fast-paced variation of the classic poker card game. Newly added into the world of casino gaming in the 90s, three card poker has skyrocketed in popularity. as the name suggests, the game is played with three cards in total.

That is the winning hand is formed with the three cards. 3 card poker follows all the same rules of traditional 5 card poker still. We owe the existence of this exciting poker version to a man by the name of Derek Web, who, in 1994, created a game that kept the sequence of poker at a faster pace. Three-card poker gave players a reasonable house edge, great payouts and a fast pace that added a dynamic excitement to the game.

Is 3 Card Poker a Good Game?

In three card poker, the strategy behind your bets significantly impacts your overall gameplay experience and potential payouts. While aiming for the best hand is crucial, understanding how different bets influence outcomes is equally important. Whether opting for an ante bet or a pair plus bet, players can still enjoy payouts even if the dealer’s hand surpasses theirs.

For enthusiasts seeking thrilling gaming experiences, exploring the best pokies online offers a diverse range of options with enticing rewards.

Three Card Poker FAQs


Is there any strategy to 3 card poker?

Three card poker like every other poker game balances skill and luck , so yes there is definitely a strategy to 3 card poker.

What are the odds of winning at 3 card poker?

The odds of winning at 3 card poker depend on what bet you choose.

  • Player bet – 0.449
  • Dealer win – 0.551
  • Tie – 0.0006

What is the highest hand in 3 card poker?

The highest hand is a straight flush which pays the best. 3 card poker hands are ranked according to standard classic poker hand ranks.

What is the house advantage in 3 card poker?

House edge in 3 card poker depends on the bet you play.

7.28% on a Pair Plus bet and 3.37% on an Ante & Play bet.

How much is a royal flush in 3 card poker?

A royal flush pays 40 to 1 if you place a Pair Plus bet and 5 to 1 on an ante bonus bet.

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