What is Three Card Poker? Rules & House Edge Explained
Three Card Poker is a casino table game where players compete against the dealer using three-card poker hands. Each player places an ante bet and receives three cards, then decides to fold or raise. The dealer qualifies with Queen-high or better. Found in licensed casinos, it offers quick play and side bets like Pair Plus, helping players understand simple poker rankings and house edges.
Three Card Poker Hand Rankings
Hands rank from highest to lowest: straight flush, three of a kind, straight, flush, pair, high card. Payouts vary by pay table, with straight flush often paying 5:1 on ante or play bets. Pair Plus side bet pays on pairs or better regardless of dealer hand.
Key Bets and House Edge
Main bets are ante and play (1x ante if raising), plus optional Pair Plus. House edge typically 3.4% on ante/play, higher on side bets. Game uses standard 52-card deck, one per hand, making it faster than five-card poker variants.
| Hand Type | Pair Plus Payout | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Flush | 5:1 | 0.2% |
| Three of a Kind | 3:1 | 0.2% |
| Straight | 1:1 | 3.3% |
| Flush | 1:1 | 4.3% |
| Pair | 1:1 | 23.5% |
