What Is Three Card Poker
Three Card Poker, also known as Tri Card Poker, is a fast and easy to learn poker game that has become one of the most popular casino games in the United Kingdom and worldwide. It is an intriguing variation of poker where three card hands are used instead of the traditional five-card hands.
In this poker variation, each player will be solely playing against the dealer. There is no first-hand wagering and no âraiseâ. The game starts with a single ante and the player can either âfoldâ (losing the ante) or âplayâ (betting one times the ante). If the player chooses to play, he or she must reveal their three-Card hand and the dealer reveals the three-card hand after that.
How To Play Three Card Poker
When playing Three Card Poker, the aim is to beat the dealerâs hand. The first part of the game is the Ante which is the initial wager. It is followed by the optional Pair Plus Bonus Bet which is based on the âPair Plusâ pay table. Depending on the type of game, the minimum and maximum Ante and/or Pair Plus Bonus Bet may be different.
The game starts with the player placing their Ante and/or Pair Plus Bonus Bet. All Ante and Pair Plus Bonus Bet wagers must be equal and are not allowed to differ. Then, the player receives three cards and the dealer one card which is also revealed after all the players have made their decision.
The player can either choose to âFoldâ which leads to the loss of the Ante, or âPlayâ which means that the player must make an additional wager, the same amount as the Ante.
After cards have been revealed, the remaining players must compare their three-card hands against the dealerâs. If the dealerâs hand qualifies as a âQueen-highâ or better, the dealer âplaysâ and the playersâ hands are compared to the dealerâs. If the dealerâs hand is not a âQueen-highâ or better, all the players in the game, who have not folded, remain in the game and get even money on their Ante wager.
Rules Of Three Card Poker
The ranking of the hands in Three Card Poker are different from the traditional five-card hands that most players are familiar with. The rankings are as follows from the highest to the lowest; Straight Flush, Three of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Pair, High Card.
If the rank of the dealerâs and the playerâs hand are the same, the player's hand will be compared to the dealerâs and the highest will win. If the highest card is the same, the second highest card will be compared, and so on.
If the dealer has a qualifying hand of a âQueen-highâ or better, the Ante wager usually will pay the player even money, i.e. the equal amount of the wager. However, the Pair Plus Bonus Bet is paid as per the âPair Plusâ pay table.
Strategies For Three Card Poker
When playing Three Card Poker, players need to take into consideration the fact that the game is played against a dealer enabling them to adjust their strategy accordingly. It is usually recommended for players to play when their hand is King-high or better and fold when it is Queen-high or lower.
Some players will also choose to make an additional âPlayâ wager when they have Queen-six-four or better, as the player will remain in the game with the opportunity to win the additional wagers. This, however, exposes the player to more risk than normal.
Learning the game, familiarizing yourself with the hand rankings, and using a good strategy can help you keep the house edge as low as possible, making your chances of winning higher.
Conclusion
Three Card Poker is a fast and easy to learn game that can add a lot of excitement to the game of poker. The chances of winning are usually higher than with a traditional game of five-card hands, but players must also take into consideration the fact that they are playing against a dealer. If players familiarize themselves with the rules and ranking of the hands and use a good strategy, they can give themselves the best chance at a successful game.