Three Card Poker: Rules, Pair Plus and Odds
Three Card Poker is quick to learn and quick to play: three cards each, one decision, and a side bet that ignores the dealer altogether. Here is how it works.
How the game is dealt
You and the dealer each get three cards. Before the deal you can place two separate bets:
- Ante, which you play against the dealer's hand.
- Pair Plus, a side bet on your own hand that doesn't depend on the dealer at all.
You can play the ante, the Pair Plus or both, depending on the table.
Ante and play bets
After looking at your cards, you decide to fold, losing your ante, or play, placing a play bet equal to your ante. The dealer then reveals their hand.
When the dealer qualifies
The dealer needs queen high or better to qualify.
| Outcome | Ante | Play |
|---|---|---|
| Dealer doesn't qualify | Pays 1 to 1 | Returned |
| Dealer qualifies, you win | Pays 1 to 1 | Pays 1 to 1 |
| Dealer qualifies, dealer wins | Lost | Lost |
| Tie | Returned | Returned |
Many tables also pay an ante bonus for strong hands, whatever the dealer has. A common version pays 1 to 1 for a straight, 4 to 1 for three of a kind and 5 to 1 for a straight flush.
Hand rankings in Three Card Poker
With only three cards, the odds of each hand change, so the rankings differ from five-card poker:
- Straight flush: three cards in sequence of the same suit.
- Three of a kind.
- Straight: three cards in sequence.
- Flush: three cards of the same suit.
- Pair.
- High card.
A straight beats a flush here, because with three cards a flush is more common than a straight.
Pair Plus and other side bets
Pair Plus pays if your hand contains a pair or better, regardless of the dealer's hand. A common paytable pays 1 to 1 for a pair, 4 to 1 for a flush, 6 to 1 for a straight, 30 to 1 for three of a kind and 40 to 1 for a straight flush. Paytables vary between tables, and lower payouts mean a higher house edge, so compare before you play.
Some tables add extra side bets, such as a six-card bonus combining your cards with the dealer's. They pay bigger multiples but carry higher house edges.
Strategy basics
The main decision has a simple rule of thumb: play with queen-six-four or better, and fold anything lower. Following it gives a house edge of around 3.4% of the ante. Pair Plus has no decisions at all; on the common paytable above its house edge is around 2.3%.
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Keep it fun
Set a budget before you play, never chase losses and take regular breaks. Gambling should never be a way to make money. Free, confidential help is available from GamCare or the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
