The Inventor:
3 card poker was devised by Derek Webb, an English game inventor. The game is based on stud poker and has an influence of Caribbean Stud and Let It Ride poker games. Today, the game is owned by Shufflemaster company.
Betting Options:
3 card poker has two betting options: a player can bet against the dealer or in Pair Plus mode. A player can also play both options at the same time, which is commonly done in most casinos.
How to Play Three Card Poker:
Playing 3 card poker against dealer is similar to playing Caribbean Stud, but less complicated. 3 card poker tables usually have fixed bets, so a player who chooses to play against the dealer, places the bet determined by the table as an ante. Then, he is dealt three cards face down. When the player sees his cards he may either fold, forfeiting his ante or place an additional bet and play his hand. After this decision is made, the dealer deals three cards to himself. If the dealer's hand is Jack High or worse, the dealer does not qualify. In such case, all players who have not folded, are paid even money on their ante and take their bets back without earning any money on them. If the dealer qualifies, players compare their hands with the dealer's one and those who have better hands are paid even money on both the ante and the bet.
Pair Plus Mode:
3 card poker played in Pair Plus mode does not depend on the dealer's hand. A player places a fixed bet on Pair Plus and is paid according to the Pair Plus pay table if he has a pair or better among his cards.
Standard Pair Plus Pay Table:
- Pair: 1 to 1
- Flush: 4 to 1
- Straight: 6 to 1
- Three of a Kind: 30 to 1
- Straight Flush: 40 to 1
Note that these are 3 card hands and therefore their odds are different from 5 card hands Basic Strategy:
Basic strategy for 3 card poker is as simple as it can possibly be. It says to play having a Queen High or better hand and to fold otherwise.