Three Card Poker
Three Card Poker is a casino table game based on poker in which players receive three cards and usually compete against a dealer rather than other players.
Three Card Poker is a casino table game based on poker in which players receive three cards and usually compete against a dealer rather than other players. It was designed by Derek Webb in 1994 and is commonly played with an ante/play structure, with an optional side bet called Pair Plus.
Gameplay
Three Card Poker is dealt from a standard 52-card deck and uses three-card hands. Players usually place an ante, receive three cards, and decide whether to fold or continue with a play bet against the dealer.
Hand rankings and bets
The game follows a three-card poker ranking system that includes high card, pair, flush, straight, three of a kind, and straight flush. Many versions also offer Pair Plus, a side bet that pays on the player's hand strength alone.
Origins
The game was designed in 1994 by Derek Webb. It was created as a fast, simple casino poker format and has since become a common table game in casinos.
House rules and variations
Exact payout tables and minimum qualification rules can vary by jurisdiction and casino. Regulatory rule sheets and casino guides show differences in bonus payouts and table procedures while keeping the core structure the same.
Key facts
- Three Card Poker is a three-card casino game that uses a player-dealer structure.
- The game is played with a standard 52-card deck and each hand consists of three cards.
- Players typically make an ante bet and then choose to fold or make a play bet after seeing their cards.
- The dealer generally must qualify with at least queen-high for the hand to be completed under standard rules.
- Common hand rankings are high card, pair, flush, straight, three of a kind, and straight flush.
Three Card Poker is found in Canadian casinos and gaming regulations, so Canadian readers may encounter it as a standard table game in commercial or provincial gaming venues.
Frequently asked questions
Is Three Card Poker played against other players?
How many cards does each hand get?
What is the dealer qualification rule?
What are the main hand rankings?
What is Pair Plus?
Who invented Three Card Poker?
References
- California Office of the Attorney General — https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/gambling/BGC_three_card_poker.pdfSupports: Defines Three Card Poker as a three-card game using a player-dealer position and explains core rules.
- WinStar World Casino & Resort — https://www.winstar.com/blog/mastering-the-basics-of-3-card-poker/Supports: Explains dealer qualification, betting flow, and basic hand rankings.
- wikiHow — https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Three-Card-PokerSupports: Summarizes the hand rankings, ante and Pair Plus bets, and dealer qualification rule.
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Card_PokerSupports: States that Three Card Poker was designed in 1994 by Derek Webb.
- Upswing Poker — https://upswingpoker.com/three-card-poker-rules-strategy/Supports: Describes the game as a standard 52-card casino game with Ante/Play and Pair Plus components.
- Poker.org — https://poker.org/poker-strategy/how-to-play-3-card-poker/Supports: Explains the ante/play structure, Pair Plus wager, dealer qualification, and common payouts.
- Potawatomi Casino Hotel — https://www.potawatomi.com/casino/table-games/how-to-play/three-card-pokerSupports: States that Three Card Poker is a stud poker game using one deck of 52 cards and describes the table layout.
- Massachusetts Gaming Commission — https://massgaming.com/wp-content/uploads/Three-Card-Poker-7-26-18.pdfSupports: Lists official card rankings and straight flush ranking details.