How to Play Three Card Poker

Three Card Poker (also called Tri-Card Poker) is one of the most popular new table games. Three Card Poker is easy to learn and play.

The game is played with a single deck of 52 cards.

Three Card Poker is actually two games in one.

There is the Ante and Raise game where you are playing against the dealer to see who has the highest hand.

There is also the Pair Plus game where you are wagering on whether or not you will be dealt a pair or better.

In most casinos you can bet on either of the games but some casinos require you to make an Ante Bet in order to bet the Pair Plus portion of the game.

The cards are ranked from 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace, with 2 being lowest and ace being highest.

Ante and Raise
After placing an Ante wager you are dealt 3 cards face up and the Dealer receives 3 cards face down. If you do not believe that your hand can beat the Dealer, you can fold the hand and your bet is lost.

If you think that your hand can beat the Dealers hand, you must raise. After you have placed your raise, the Dealer will turn over their cards.

If the Dealer has a Queen or higher it will then compare its hand to yours, the winner being the highest ranked poker hand.

If the Dealer has the highest hand you lose both the Ante and Raise bets. If the Dealer does not have at least a Queen, the Dealer does not compare hands. You are paid 1:1 on the Ante bet and the Raise is returned as a push. If you have a straight or better, you are paid an Ante bonus. 

Pair Plus
When playing the Pair Plus game you win if your hand is dealt a pair or higher. The Pair Plus wager is a separate bet that is not measured against the Dealer's hand, it is paid out based on the rank of the hand dealt. If you bet on the Ante and fold the hand the Pair Plus wager is also lost.

You win if:

• Ante - If your Three Card Poker hand out ranks the Dealers hand. Or if you raise and the Dealer does not qualify with at least a Queen.

• Raise - If your Three Card Poker hand out ranks the Dealers hand and the Dealer qualifies by having at least a Queen as a high card

• Pair Plus -- If the Player is dealt a pair or higher.

You lose if:

• Ante - If the Player folds or the Dealer has a higher ranked 3 card poker hand

• Raise - If the Dealer has a higher ranked 3-card poker hand.

• Pair Plus -- If the Player does not receive a minimum of a pair, when dealt three cards.

The Hand Rankings
The hand ranking in Three Card Poker are a little different than with traditional five card hands. The hands are ranked for the highest to the lowest as follows:

1. Straight Flush. Three cards of the same suit in sequence.
2. Three of a Kind. Three cards of equal rank.
3. Straight. Three cards in sequence of mixed suits.
4. Flush. Three cards of the same suit.
5. Pair. Two cards of equal rank.
6. High Card. The highest card in your hand.

These are the Common Payouts When Playing Three Card Poker: