Three Card Poker
CASINO POKER-DERIVATIVE GAME (1994) invented by DEREK WEBB. 1+ players + dealer. Each receives 3 CARDS. Player makes ANTE + PLAY bets; may also PAIR PLUS bonus bet. Dealer's hand must qualify (Q-high+); if not, ante pays even + play pushes. Fastest-growing US casino game 2000-2010. House edge ~3.4% ANTE-PLAY, ~7% PAIR PLUS. Simple, fast, social — became staple of every casino floor.
Quick facts
Category
Casino & Gambling
Type
Individual
Players
1–7
Duration
~30 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Estimated origin
1994 Derek Webb; US patent 1997; worldwide rollout 2000s
Olympic
No
Popularity
major
How it works
Objective
Beat the dealer's 3-card poker hand (with 3-card hand rankings).
Rules
Basic rules
Place ANTE bet (mandatory) + optional PAIR PLUS side bet
2 betting options.
Receive 3 cards; decide to PLAY (2× ante) or FOLD (lose ante)
Player decision.
Dealer needs Q-high+ to qualify; else ante pays 1:1, play pushes
Qualifier rule.
If dealer qualifies: higher 3-card hand wins
Direct comparison.
Pair Plus pays regardless of dealer hand
Pure bonus bet.
3-card hand rankings: Straight Flush > 3 of Kind > Straight > Flush > Pair > High Card
Note: straight beats flush!
Scoring
Even-money on ante+play; bonus pays for premium hands; pair plus is independent.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Straight Flush | 40:1 pair plus + ante bonus |
| Three of a Kind | 30:1 pair plus + ante bonus |
| Straight | 6:1 pair plus + ante bonus |
| Flush | 3:1 pair plus |
| Pair | 1:1 pair plus |
| Beat dealer, no qualify | Ante 1:1; play push |
Win condition · Beat the dealer's 3-card hand or hit premium hand for bonuses.
Equipment
Standard 52-card deck
No jokers
Casino Three Card Poker table
Betting spots for Ante, Play, Pair Plus
Chips
Standard casino chips
Terminology
- Ante
- Mandatory opening bet.
- Play
- Second bet equal to ante to see dealer's hand.
- Pair Plus
- Optional side bet paying on pair or higher regardless of dealer.
- Q-6-4 rule
- Basic strategy: play if hand is Q-6-4 or better; fold otherwise.
Where it is played
Frequently asked
Three Card Poker basic strategy?+
PLAY if hand is Q-6-4 or better; FOLD otherwise. This 'Q-6-4 rule' minimizes house edge to ~3.4%. Pair Plus side bet has higher house edge (~7%) but offers larger payouts on premium hands.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Three Card Poker— Wikipedia