Game rules for 3 Card Poker

Overview

3 Card Poker, also known as Tri Poker, is an easy card game, based on the elements of regular poker although players bet against the house instead of against each other. The game is played with a regular deck of 52 cards.

Object of 3 Card Poker

The object of 3 Card Poker is to make your best poker hand after deciding which bet type to make – Ante and Play or Pair Plus (or both).

Hand Ranking in 3 Card Poker

Hand ranking in this game (from lowest to highest) is as follows:

High card – three cards of different ranks – not consecutive and not of the same rank.

Pair – two cards of equal rank and one of a different rank

Flush – three cards of the same suit

Straight – three consecutive cards of mixed suits

Three of a kind – three cards of the same rank

Straight flush – three consecutive cards of the same suit

How to Play 3 Card Poker

Players place an ante bet.

Three cards are dealt to each player and three cards to the dealer.

After viewing the cards, the player needs to decide whether to make a Play Bet (by placing an amount equal to the ante) or whether to fold – losing the ante and any Pair Plus bet.

The dealer reveals his hand before the showdown.

Payouts are as follows: ante bet is paid even money and the play bet is returned if the dealer does not have a queen high or better; the ante bet and the play bet are paid even money if the dealer has a Queen or higher and the player’s hand beats the dealer’s; the player’s play bets and ante are returned if the dealer has a Queen high or better and the player’s hand is equal to his hand; the ante and play bet are lost if he dealer has a Queen high or better and the player has a worse hand.

Bonuses are paid out on the ante bet as follows: 5:1 on a straight flush; 4:1 for three of a kind; even money for a straight.

Pair Plus: In a pair plus bet, the dealer’s cards are irrelevant – the bet is only dependent on the first three cards dealt to the player.  Winning hands are paid out as follows: 40:1 for a straight flush; 30:1 for three of a kind; 6:1 for a straight; 4:1 for a flush; even money for a pair.  If the player does not hold a pair or better, this bet is lost.

Conclusion

Invented in the 1990’s, 3 Card Poker has become a popular choice for players at all types of casinos who are looking for a quick, simple game with all the exciting elements of poker thrown in.