Object of the Game:
The object of Three Card Poker is to beat the dealer’s three-card poker hand. You also have the option to place an additional wager on whether you will receive a certain hand, regardless of the dealer’s hand.
How to Play:
- Placing Bets: Before the game starts, you must place a mandatory Ante bet by placing your chips in the designated “Ante” box on the table. You can also place an optional Pair Plus bet if you wish (explained below).
- Dealing the Cards: The dealer deals three cards face down to each player and three cards face down to themselves.
- Player’s Decision: After looking at your three cards, you have two options:
- Fold: If your hand is weak, you can choose to fold. If you fold, you lose your Ante bet and your Pair Plus bet (if you made one).
- Play: If you believe your hand is strong enough to compete with the dealer’s hand, you make an additional Play bet equal to your Ante bet. You place this bet in the “Play” box.
- Dealer Reveals Hand: After all players have made their decisions, the dealer reveals their three cards.
- Dealer Qualification: For the dealer’s hand to be eligible to play against the players, it must “qualify.” The dealer’s hand qualifies if they have a Queen high or better (Q-High or better).
- If the dealer’s hand does not qualify (e.g., they have Jack-high or lower):
- Your Ante bet is paid out at 1 to 1 odds.
- Your Play bet is returned to you (push).
- Your Pair Plus bet (if made) is paid out according to the Pair Plus paytable, regardless of the dealer’s hand.
- If the dealer’s hand does not qualify (e.g., they have Jack-high or lower):
- Comparing Hands (if Dealer Qualifies): If the dealer’s hand qualifies, your hand is compared to the dealer’s hand based on standard three-card poker hand rankings (from highest to lowest):
- Straight Flush (Three cards of the same suit in sequence, e.g., 7-8-9 of Hearts)
- Three of a Kind (Three cards of the same rank, e.g., three Queens)
- Straight (Three cards in sequence of different suits, e.g., 4 of Spades – 5 of Hearts – 6 of Diamonds)
- Flush (Three cards of the same suit, not in sequence, e.g., K-9-5 of Clubs)
- Pair (Two cards of the same rank, e.g., two Sevens)
- High Card (If no other hand is made, the highest card determines the hand’s rank, then the second highest, then the third).
- Determining Win/Loss:
- If your hand is higher than the dealer’s hand, you win. Your Ante and Play bets are paid out at 1 to 1 odds. Additionally, you may receive a bonus payout on your Ante bet for certain strong hands (see Ante Bonus Paytable). Your Pair Plus bet (if made) is paid according to the paytable.
- If the dealer’s hand is higher than your hand, you lose both your Ante and Play bets. Your Pair Plus bet (if made) is paid according to the paytable.
- If you and the dealer have hands of the same rank, the highest cards are compared. If the hands are identical, it’s a push (tie), and your Ante and Play bets are returned to you. Your Pair Plus bet (if made) is paid according to the paytable.
Pair Plus Bet:
This is an optional side bet you can make before the cards are dealt. You win your Pair Plus bet if your three cards contain a Pair or better, regardless of the dealer’s hand. The payout is based on the Pair Plus paytable. You can often make a Pair Plus bet even if you don’t make an Ante bet.
Paytables:
Ante Bonus Paytable:
This payout is in addition to the 1:1 payout on your Ante and Play bets if you have one of the following hands, regardless of the dealer’s hand:
| Hand | Ante Bonus Payout (in addition to 1:1 on Ante and Play) |
|---|---|
| Straight Flush | 5 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 4 to 1 |
| Straight | 1 to 1 |
Note: The Ante Bonus is paid even if you lose the hand comparison to the dealer, as long as you had the qualifying strong hand.
Pair Plus Paytable:
This payout is made if you placed a Pair Plus bet and your hand matches one of the following combinations, regardless of the dealer’s hand:
| Hand | Pair Plus Payout |
|---|---|
| Straight Flush | 40 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 30 to 1 |
| Straight | 6 to 1 |
| Flush | 3 to 1 |
| Pair | 1 to 1 |
Good luck! It is always a good idea to check with the staff for specific rules and payout tables.