Three Card Poker

By Wagercomms

The Game

Its two games in one and its similar to Caribbean Stud, and it's a twist on poker. Three cards are dealt to player and dealer and the goal is to build the strongest poker hand with three cards, beating the house.

How to Play Three Card Poker

The player can place either a Ante bet or Pair Plus bet, or both. After placing the bet(s) both player and the dealer receives three cards, dealer's card face down. If the player made the Ante bet, he or she must then either fold or raise. If player folds the Ante wager is lost.

If the player raises then a Play bet must be made, equal to the Ante bet. The dealer will then turn over his cards and the dealer needs a Queen or higher to qualify. Should the dealer not qualify the the player will win even money on the Ante bet and Play bet will be pushed.

If the dealer qualifies, players and dealer's hand will be compared and the higher hand will win. If player wins, then the Ante and Play bet will both pay even money. If the dealer wins the Ante and Play bet will both be lost. Should a Tie occur between dealer and player both bets will be pushed.

If the player made the Ante bet and holds a straight or higher, then the player will receive an Ante bonus, regardless of dealer's hand.

If placing a bet on Pair Plus the winning is paid accordingly to the Pair Plus payout table, if the hand contains a pair or better.

Ante

If a bet is placed on Ante one must decide either to fold, if not believing one can bet the dealers hand, or to raise and challenge the dealer. If one chooses to fold the Ante bet is lost as well as the Pair Plus bet (if one was placed) and the game is over. If raising an equal bet is placed to match the Ante bet. The dealer reveals his or hers cards and a winner is determined.

Qualify

In order to determine a game winner after the player has raised, the dealers hand must first qualify. Qualifying means that the dealer must have minimum a Queen to qualify. If the dealers hand does not qualify the player wins 1 to 1 on the ante bet and pushes the raise bet.

Ties

If the dealers hand qualifies, the best ranking hand wins. If dealers hand ranks higher the player loses both the ante and raise bet. If players hand ranks higher he or she wins 1 to 1 on both the ante and raise bet. If both dealers and players hand have the same rank the highest ranking card determines the winner. When dealers and players hand ties both the ante bet and raise bet are pushed back to the player.

If the player places an ante bet and raises the bet and holds a straight, three of a kind or a straight flush a bonus payout is paid per Ante Payout table, regardless of dealer's hand.

Hand Rank

The game outcome is determined per the following poker hand ranking.

Straight Flush      3 cards of same suit in sequence.

3 of a Kind            3 cards of same rank.

Straight                 3 cards in sequence, mixed suits.

Flush                      3 cards of same suit.

One Pair                1 Pair, 2 cards, of the same rank.

High Card             3 cards of different rank and suit.

Pay Table

The following is considered standard pay in Three Card Poker.

Dealer don't qualify       Ante wins        1 to 1       Play bet returned

Dealer qualifies              Player wins     Play        Ante 1 to 1

Dealer qualifies              Player loses    Play        Ante is lost

Dealer qualifies              Ties player      Play        Ante is push

Winning Hand                Pay

Straight Flush                40 to 1

Three of a Kind              30 to 1

Straight                           6 to 1

Flush                                4 to 1

Pair                                   1 to 1

Ante Bonus Payouts    Pay

Straight Flush                5 to 1

Three of a Kind              4 to 1

Straight                           1 to 1

Ante Bonus Payouts are regardless of dealer's hand.

House Edge

Per the definition of above standard rules the following house edges applies.

House edge is 2.32% on Pairplus and 3.37% on Ante.