A complete Three Card Poker guide covering rules, hand rankings, payouts, Ante/Play structure, Pair Plus bets, and gameplay flow. Learn how this fast-paced casino table game works.
Introduction
Three Card Poker is one of the most popular modern casino table games, known for its simplicity, fast-paced rounds, and easy-to-understand rules. Unlike traditional poker games, Three Card Poker does not involve betting rounds, bluffing, or competing against other players. Instead, you play directly against the dealer using three cards, while also having the option to place an additional bonus wager.
This guide explains everything you need to know before playing Three Card Poker: how the game works, the payouts, the ranking system (which differs from standard poker), and the meaning of optional bets like Pair Plus. After reading, you’ll have a clear understanding of every step in the game.
What Is Three Card Poker?
Three Card Poker is a casino table game created in the 1990s and now widely offered in both land-based and online casinos. The game uses:
- A standard 52-card deck
- Three cards dealt to each player and the dealer
- A head-to-head comparison between the player’s hand and the dealer’s
The game combines two components:
- Ante & Play — competing against the dealer
- Pair Plus — optional side bet based only on your hand
Both bets can be played independently or together.
How Three Card Poker Works: Step-by-Step
1. Place Your Bets
You may place:
- Ante bet (mandatory to play against the dealer)
- Pair Plus bet (optional bonus wager)
You can place both bets simultaneously.
2. Cards Are Dealt
Each player and the dealer receive three cards face-down.
Players look at their cards while the dealer keeps their cards hidden.
3. Player Decision: Fold or Play
After viewing their hand, the player must choose:
- Fold → forfeits the Ante bet
- Play → place a Play bet equal to the Ante bet
The round continues only if the player makes a Play bet.
4. Dealer Qualification
After players decide, the dealer reveals their hand.
To qualify, the dealer must have:
Queen-high or better
If the dealer does not qualify:
- Ante bet pays according to the payout table (usually 1:1)
- Play bet is returned (push)
If the dealer qualifies:
- Player and dealer hands are compared
- The higher-ranking hand wins both Ante and Play bets
Three Card Poker Hand Rankings
These rankings differ from standard 5-card poker because of the smaller hand size.
From highest to lowest:
| Hand | Description |
|---|---|
| Straight Flush | Three consecutive suited cards |
| Three of a Kind | Three cards of the same rank |
| Straight | Three consecutive cards (non-suited) |
| Flush | Three cards of the same suit |
| Pair | Two cards of the same rank |
| High Card | No combination |
Important Differences vs 5-Card Poker
- Straights beat Flushes in Three Card Poker
(because three-card straights are harder to get statistically)
Payouts for Ante & Play Bets
1. When Both Hands Are Compared
If the dealer qualifies and the player wins:
- Ante pays 1:1
- Play pays 1:1
If the dealer does not qualify:
- Ante pays 1:1
- Play pushes
2. Ante Bonus (Paid Regardless of Dealer Qualification)
Most casinos offer an Ante Bonus for the following:
| Hand | Ante Bonus |
|---|---|
| Straight Flush | 5:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 4:1 |
| Straight | 1:1 |
This bonus pays out even if the dealer wins the round.
Pair Plus Bet (Optional Bonus Bet)
Pair Plus is a separate wager based only on the player’s hand.
You win Pair Plus if your hand contains:
- Pair
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Straight Flush
The dealer’s hand does not matter — even if you fold, Pair Plus still stands.
Example Pair Plus Payout Table
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Straight Flush | 40:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 30:1 |
| Straight | 6:1 |
| Flush | 3:1 |
| Pair | 1:1 |
Some casinos may vary these payouts slightly.
Odds and Probabilities in Three Card Poker
Approximate chance of being dealt each hand:
| Hand | Probability |
|---|---|
| Straight Flush | 0.22% |
| Three of a Kind | 0.24% |
| Straight | 3.26% |
| Flush | 4.96% |
| Pair | 16.94% |
| High Card | 73.38% |
Dealer Qualification Probability
The dealer qualifies (Queen-high or better) about 69% of the time.
This affects the frequency of Ante payouts vs. Play pushes.
How Hands Are Compared
Player wins the round if:
- The dealer qualifies
- The player’s hand outranks the dealer’s hand
Dealer wins the round if:
- The dealer qualifies
- The dealer’s hand outranks the player’s
Pushes occur when:
- The dealer does not qualify (Play bet only)
Multiple outcomes are possible depending on the bets placed.
Why Three Card Poker Is Popular
Players enjoy Three Card Poker because:
- Fast and simple gameplay
- No bluffing or complicated betting rounds
- Two ways to win (Ante/Play + Pair Plus)
- Frequent small payouts
- Easy hand rankings
- Lower volatility than many table games
Its speed and simplicity make it one of the most beginner-friendly poker-based games in the casino.
FAQ
Is Three Card Poker the same as regular poker?
No. The game is simplified and played solely against the dealer.
Can I play Pair Plus without the Ante bet?
Yes. Pair Plus is an independent wager.
What happens if the dealer doesn’t qualify?
Ante pays 1:1, and the Play bet is returned.
Why do straights beat flushes?
Because in a three-card structure, straights are mathematically harder to form.