How to Play Three Card Poker: Complete Guide for Beginners
Three Card Poker is a fast, simple, and exciting casino game that combines the thrill of poker, with the accessibility of other casino games like blackjack and baccarat.
It’s one of the few poker games where you play directly against the dealer rather than other players – and this makes it ideal for players wanting to enjoy the action of poker without worrying about the complexity involved with playing against other players.
So, whether you’re sitting at a live table in Auckland’s SkyCity Casino, or playing at a top-rated online casino in New Zealand, learning how to play Three Card Poker is easy once you understand the flow of the game, hand rankings, and betting options.
What Is Three Card Poker?
Three Card Poker was created in 1994 by Derek Webb, and it was released in an attempt to combine the simplicity of a casino table game with the strategy-based nature of poker. Unlike Texas Hold’em or Omaha, which use five community cards, Three Card Poker is played with just three cards, and it’s player-versus-dealer, rather than player-versus-player.
Now, the game’s main goal is to make a better three-card poker hand than the dealer’s, or, sometimes, win based on special bonus payouts. This means luck and probability play a much larger role than long-term strategy, which is what makes it so popular at live and mobile casinos.
There are two main ways to play:
- Ante & Play Bets: With these, you’re competing directly against the dealer’s hand.
- Pair Plus Bets: This is an optional side bet that allows you to bet that your hand will contain a pair or better; regardless of the dealer’s cards.
The Basic Rules of Three Card Poker
Three-Card Poker is incredibly simple to play, and that’s part of what makes it so appealing. To play, you must place an Ante Bet, and you’ll also have the option to place a Pair Plus side bet. Once your bets are confirmed, both you and the dealer receive three cards face-down. You can then check – and asses – your hand.
Once you’ve checked your cards, you need to decide whether Play or Fold. To Play, you need to match your Ante Bet, while, if you Fold, you give up the Ante Bet you already placed. Now, if you do play, the dealer then reveals his or her hand. To qualify the dealer must have at least a Queen-high hand. If they fail to qualify, you automatically win even-money on your Ante Bet; the Play Bet pushes. If the dealer does qualify, the higher hand wins.
Understanding the Hand Rankings
Three Card Poker hand rankings are a little bit different from conventional Texas Hold’em poker games, and because you only have three cards, the order of things changes a bit. For example, it’s actually easier to make a flush than a straight – which is the other way round when compared to five-card poker variants.
Below, you can see the order of hand rankings in Three-Card Poker, from strongest to weakest.
| Hand Type | Explanation |
| Straight Flush | Three consecutive cards of the same suit |
| Three of a Kind | Three cards of the same number (i.e. 3-3-3) |
| Straight | Three cards in numerical order, all of mixed suits |
| Flush | Three cards of the same suit but not the same number |
| Pair | Two cards of the same number |
| High Card | If you hold none of the above, the highest card in your hand is played |
It’s this unique ranking system that is part of what makes the game so unique from other variations of poker, and understanding it will help you when learning how to play poker for beginners, too.
Three Card Poker Betting Options
If you’re new to Three-Card Poker, you may be wondering how to actually play – and what bets are involved. Here’s a look at the different bet options you’ll have available to you:
- Ante Bet: This is the bet that you must always place, if you want to play.
- Play Bet: If you like your hand, you need to match your Ante Bet with a Play Bet; it’s worth the same amount of money, so if your Ante Bet was NZ$10, your Play Bet would also need to be NZ$10.
- Pair Plus Bet: This is an optional side bet that awards a payout if you form a pair or higher. Pair Plus pays out regardless of the dealer’s hand, so you can lose the main hand, and still profit from this one.
- Six Card Bonus: This is a slightly more unusual side bet, and it revolves around taking the best 5 cards from your hand and the dealer’s hand.
The exact payouts vary depending on where you play, but at most top paying casinos you’ll find similar payout structures – but, as we always recommend here at DashTickets, always do your own research and check!
Basic Strategy for Playing Three Card Poker
Three Card Poker is largely a game of luck, but there is one widely accepted strategic rule that gives you the best mathematical edge:
Always make a Play bet if your hand is Queen-6-4 or better. Fold anything lower.
This simple rule helps reduce the house edge to around 3.37%, making it one of the most player-friendly table games you can find when playing at online casinos in NZ.
However, there are also some other strategy tips to be aware of, including:
- Avoid placing the Pair Plus bet unless you’re having some occasional fun; the house edge is much higher.
- Don’t chase your losses by increasing the size of your bets after a losing streak.
- Look for online casinos that offer bonus payouts for strong hands.
- Always check the paytable before sitting at a table. Some online casinos offer better Pair Plus odds than others.
Payouts and Odds
In most casinos, you’ll find the following standard payouts (although these are subject to change depending on where you play, so always ensure you check with the specific casino you’re thinking of playing with.)
Ante Bonus:
- Straight Flush: 5:1
- Three of a Kind: 4:1
- Straight: 1:1
Pair Plus:
- Straight Flush: 40:1
- Three of a Kind: 30:1
- Flush: 3:1
- Pair: 1:1
You may also, occasionally, see some high roller casinos offering special progressive jackpot versions of the game. These tend to award jackpots when very rare hands, like a mini-royal flush is dealt.
Final Thoughts
Three Card Poker offers the perfect balance between simplicity, excitement, and strategy. Its quick rounds and easy-to-learn rules make it a fantastic option for beginners who want to explore the best casino games in New Zealand – and its wide availability means it’s offered at virtually every online casino in the world!
It’s really easy to understand and get to grips with, too, and once you’ve mastered the basics, you can head into live dealer games or even check out your local land-based casino to give it a play in-person, for real money!
Remember, gambling should always be fun, and never stressful. If you feel things are getting out of hand, check out our responsible gambling section for help and confidential advice.
Gambling should only ever be viewed as a form of fun; entertainment, and never a way to make money, or for financial gain. If you find yourself chasing losses, unable to stop, or expecting to win, you may be exhibiting signs of problem gambling. If, at any point, you feel that you have a gambling problem, stop immediately, check out our Responsible Gambling page, and reach out to organisations and charities like New Zealand’s Problem Gambling Foundation. Help and support is available.
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