Three Card Poker: An explanation of the rules

Three Card Poker is not a type of Hold'em but is based on the traditional game of Brag and is commonly played in casinos.

The aim of 3 card poker

The aim of the three card poker game is to have a hand higher than the dealer's hand.

You are not playing against other players around the table as you would be in Texas Hold'em.

You will have to share your winnings with other players who also beat the dealer.

 

How to play 3 Card Poker:

1. Find your seat and on the table front of you, you will see two rectangular boxes and a circle. They will be marked as 'Play', 'Ante' or 'blind' and 'Pair Plus'.
2. Before a hand can be dealt to you, you need to place the minimum amount that you want to bet in the rectangle, marked ante or blind and/or the pair plus.
3. The dealer will then deal three cards to each of the players at the table and then three cards to themself.
4. You are then free to pick up you cards and look at what you have, then you have to make a decision about your next move. You have two choices:

If you think you have a good hand that stands a chance of winning, you can chose to 'Play'. You'll then have to place your cards face down in the 'Play' box and put an additional bet equivalent to your initial stake (ante/blind) on top of your cards. So if your first bet was £10, the Play is also a £10 bet.

If you think you're hand isn't worth it and might be a loser, you can fold and give up your initial bet straight away. To do this you push your cards towards the dealer.

5. When all the players at your table have decided whether to 'play' or fold, the dealer will turn over their three cards. In Three Card Poker the dealer must have a Queen high or better in their hand to qualify.
6. If the dealer's hand doesn't qualify, the dealer will pay out all the players who are still playing their initial ante/blind bet, at even money.
7. If you have made a bet on Pair Plus the dealer will turn over your cards to see if you will be paid on that.

How does a 'Pair Plus' bet work?

The 'Pair Plus' bet is an optional or additional bet that you can choose to make; you don't have to have an ante/blind bet to play it. This bet does not rely on the value of the dealer's hand but it is a side bet. Whatever the dealer's hand is, regardless of whether their hand is better than yours, you still get paid out on this bet. You have to have at least a pair or better to be paid out, it's almost like insurance, great for those of you who are cautious!

8. If the dealer's hand does qualify, they then turn over the all of the players' hands, one by one.
9. If your hand beats the dealer's hand you win. If the dealers' hand beats your hand, you will lose.
10. If you have a straight or better you are paid out on the ante/blind as a bonus, whether you win or lose this is an extra pay out to you.
11. If you tie with another player or the dealer there is a stand off, but note that all of your three cards do count.
12. You can only play one hand at a time at Three Card Poker and you can't confer with another player at any time during the game.

These rules are meant only as guidelines and when playing cards in a casino always make sure that you check the house rules first.