Jean Gabriel | January 10, 2023 | Updated on: January 17th, 2023
Play 3 Card Poker for Real Money
Play 3 Card Poker at top Australian Casino sites. Three Card Poker is an exciting version of Poker that is a cross between Poker and Blackjack. This version of Poker has some great payouts and rules that are quite easy to follow and understand. The game goes by a few different names, so if you don’t see 3 Card Poker, keep an eye out for Tri Card Poker, 3 Card Brag, or Poker Three.
Many players have never tried 3 Card Poker before, so we have created this comprehensive 3 Card Poker game guide to teach new players the ropes. We will take you through the rules, hand rankings, payouts, and some basic strategies to follow. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive right in and find out everything about 3 Card Poker!
Top 3 Card Poker Casinos
3 Card Poker Rules
The basic goal of 3 Card Poker is to build the best possible poker hand made up of three cards. It is similar to Blackjack in that you are not competing against other players; rather, you need to beat the dealer’s hand. Three Card Poker uses a standard 52-card deck and standard casino betting chips. The game has a house edge of around 3.7%, putting it on par with many other popular casino games.
How to Play 3 Card Poker
Learning how to play 3 Card Poker is simple and easy. This is one of the things that has helped make the game so popular. If you’ve never played a hand before, we have an easy-to-follow guide to take you through each step of playing.
- Step 1 – To begin a round of 3 Card Poker, you will need to start by placing your first wager. This is known as the Ante Bet. The Ante Bet is required, but players will also often have the option to place a side bet if they want to.
- Step 2 – Once you have placed your Ante bet, you will be dealt your three cards. The dealer will also receive three cards, but they are dealt face down.
- Step 3 – Now, the player needs to look at their cards and decide how strong they think their hand is. If you think your hand is strong and want to continue the round, you will need to raise. When raising, you need to place a bet equal to your original Ante. If you do not think you have a chance of winning, you will fold and forfeit your original Ante Bet
- Step 4 – If you raised, the dealer will now reveal their cards. The game will compare the player’s hand to the dealer’s and determine the winner.
- Step 5 – If you won, your winnings will be paid into your account. If you lost, you will forfeit your original Ante and your Raise.
Hand Rankings in 3 Card Poker
Because 3 Card Poker requires players to build a hand with three cards instead of the usual five, the hand rankings are slightly different. Below are the hand rankings in 3 Card Poker.
- Mini Royal Flush – Made up with an Ace, King, and Queen from the same suit. Keep in mind that not all casinos and games of 3 Card Poker offer the Mini Royal Flush.
- Straight Flush – Jack, 10, and 9 from the same suit
- Three of a kind – Three cards of the same rank.
- Straight – Three cards in ascending order. It can be from different suits.
- Pair – Having a pair of cards with the same rank
- High Card – The hand that has the highest-ranked card.
3 Card Poker Bets
When playing 3 Card Poker, there are three main betting options for players. One of these bets is mandatory, while the other two are optional. You will also not find these optional bets at every casino site.
- Ante Bet – This bet is required to begin the round. Players need to make their Ante bet before the round begins and the cards are dealt. If you want to complete the hand and reveal the dealer’s hands, you will need to Raise equal to your original Ante Bet.
- Pair Plus – The first side bet you will come across when playing 3 Card Poker is the Pair Plus Side Bet. If you place this bet, you are wagering that your hand will get a pair or better. This bet will be placed alongside your Ante Bet.
- 6 Card Bonus – This is a less common side bet and generally results in a loss. If you place this bet, you are wagering that your three cards, plus the dealer’s three cards, will create a strong six-card poker hand.
Payouts in 3 Card Poker
The payouts you get for a winning hand in 3 Card Poker depends greatly on whether the dealer’s hand qualifies. The dealer needs to have at least a Queen in their hand. If the dealer’s hand did qualify and you win, you will get a 1:1 payout on your Ante and Raise.
If the dealer’s hand did not qualify, you will receive the 1:1 payout on your Ante bet only, and your raise will be returned to you. When there is a tie, all wagers are returned.
Side Bet Payout and Ante Bonus
Some versions of 3 Card Poker will offer side bets that come with their own paytable. In addition to this, there is also sometimes an Ante Bonus payout when you land a good enough hand. Below are the standard paytables for these side bets and bonus paytables.
Pair Plus Side Bet
| Hand | Payout |
| Mini Royal Flush (Not always available) | 80:1 |
| Straight Flush | 40:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 30:1 |
| Straight | 6:1 |
| Flush | 4:1 |
| One Pair | 1:1 |
Ante Bonus Payouts
| Hand | Paytable |
| Straight Flush | 5:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 4:1 |
| Straight | 1:1 |
| Flush | No Bonus |
| One Pair | No Bonus |
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3 Card Poker FAQs
Yes, many online casinos allow players to enjoy 3 Card Poker for real money. However, this is not one of the most common versions of Poker you will find online.
Because players only use three cards to build a hand, normal hand rankings don’t apply. There is no Royal Flush, for example. Instead, the best hand in Three Card Poker is a Straight Flush. Some casinos, not all, can have a Mini Royal Flush as the best possible hand.
Yes, any casino that offers 3 Card Poker will allow players to try the game for free. You can use this feature to try out the game and test different strategies.
When playing 3 Card Poker, luck is very important. But some basic strategies can be used to better your chances of growing your bankroll. Players should raise if they have a Q 6 4 hand or better and fold if it is weaker than that.
When playing 3 Card Poker, you have a 44.9% chance of winning, while the dealer has a 55% chance of winning. There is just a 0.006% chance of a tie. Three Card Poker gives the House a 3.7% edge.