Three-card poker is an online casino game that’s super popular in Vietnam. The aim of the game is simple – form a better poker hand with three cards than the dealer to win a payout.
Though numerous variants of three-card poker exist, each game’s premise is to make online poker simpler and more accessible to all players.
With that in mind, join us as we run through our ultimate guide to three-card poker and discover strategies and tips that will help you beat the dealer.
What is Three-Card Poker?
Three-card poker, a form of video poker, prides itself on its simplicity and fast-paced nature. These qualities have made it a favorite among players at online casinos in Vietnam and worldwide, adding an element of excitement to the gaming experience.
In three-card poker, your opponent is the dealer, not the other players at the table. This direct competition ensures the game’s simplicity, as you aim to create the best possible poker hand and beat the dealer for a payout.
The most significant difference between this game and other poker variants is that, as the name suggests, you can only form a hand with three cards rather than five.
History of Three-Card Poker
Derek Webb created three-card poker in 1994. Webb’s idea was to create a more accessible poker variant that could be played at the same pace as other table games, such as baccarat and blackjack.
He also refined the rules to make them easier to understand and stripped back many of the elements of conventional poker, which is why the game now appeals to the masses. While there are now numerous three-card poker variants, they are all simple, fast-paced, and easy to play.
Basic Rules of Three-Card Poker
The aim of three-card poker is for players to create the strongest ranking poker hand with three cards. As a player, your goal is to beat the dealer’s hand, not the hands dealt to other players at the table.
Therefore, three-card poker is much simpler than classic poker, as you don’t need to worry about other gameplay elements, such as bluffing.
What Is The Ante Wager?
To play, place your first bet, known as the ante wager, and go from there.
For a game to begin, the dealer must “qualify,” meaning a hand of at least queen high or better in most variants. If the dealer doesn’t qualify, you can win even money on the ante wager. However, if the dealer does qualify, you can win on both the ante and the play bets.
With that in mind, here are the hand rankings that you must be aware of to play three-card poker, from low to high:
Hand ranking | Explanation |
High card | The highest card is considered when no other poker hand is formed (e.g. jack high). |
Pair | A hand of two cards of the same rank (e.g. 2x queens). |
Flush | Any three cards of the same suit in any sequence (e.g. eight of hearts, two of hearts, and jack of hearts). |
Straight | Three sequential cards of different suits (e.g. five of spades, six of hearts, seven of diamonds). |
Three of a kind | Three cards of identical rank (e.g. queen of hearts, queen of spades, queen of diamonds). |
Straight flush | A straight run of cards of the same suit (e.g. 9 of spades, 10 of spades, jack of spades). |
Steps For A Three-Card Poker Game To Begin
- The ante bet: To play a hand of three-card poker, each player at the table must place an ante wager.
- Additional bets: Next and where available, you can place optional side bets, such as the pair plus wager, which is a bet on whether your hand will be a pair or better.
- The deal: Following the betting window, the dealer will issue three cards to each player and three to themselves, face down.
- Hand assessment: You can then check your cards and assess whether to play or fold.
- Ante and play or fold: Depending on your initial cards, you can fold (throw away your cards and leave the game) or play (place a bet equal to the ante and continue playing).
- Dealer’s qualification: The dealer now reveals their hand. If they have queen high or better, they qualify. If not, you win even money on the ante bet, and your play wager is returned.
- Showdown: If the dealer qualifies and you have placed a play wager, a showdown will occur, and the winner will be the person with the highest-ranking poker hand.
- Payout: The final step is the payout. If you beat the dealer, you will win. You then have the chance to play another round.
Variations of Three-Card Poker
Though Derek Webb envisioned a game of ultimate simplicity, game developers have expanded on his idea and launched the following three-card poker variations with slightly different rules and gameplay requirements:
Traditional Three-Card Poker
Traditional or classic three-card poker is the original version of this popular video casino game. It plays out precisely in the abovementioned way and sticks to the classic rules and gameplay.
Ultimate Three-Card Poker
The main difference in this game is that your play wager can be up to three times the value of the ante wager rather than simply equal to the ante bet. This allows you to increase your potential payouts if you beat the dealer.
Three-Card Poker Deluxe
You can receive additional payouts for ante and pair plus bets in three-card poker deluxe. There’s also the inclusion of the mini royal flush, which, again, offers much more substantial payouts than are available in the classic game.
Strategy Tips for Three-Card Poker
Though three-card poker is easy to play, it’s helpful to follow a strategy to get the most out of the game and give yourself the best chance of winning. Here are some tips to bear in mind:
- Play “above average” hands: The average hand in three-card poker is queen-six-four. Therefore, a simple yet effective strategy is to place a play bet any time you get this hand or better. You can fold if your hand is worse than this.
- Make the most of side bets: Though they have a low probability of coming in, side bets are a great option to increase your payouts while playing video poker. Consider pairs plus and other bets if you want to land big wins.
- Play games with high RTPs: The theoretical return to player percentage (RTP) is crucial to check before playing three-card poker. The higher the RTP, the better. For good-value gaming, check for games with an RTP of 96% or higher.
- Gamble responsibly: Given the fast-paced nature of video poker betting rounds, it’s easy to get carried away. Therefore, we advise you to set and stick to a gambling budget and adjust your stake to keep your bankroll going for as long as possible.
Online vs. Traditional Three-Card Poker
Three-card poker is very different from standard online poker, in which a five-card poker hand is typically used. Check out the pros and cons of each game to understand the critical differences between the two:
Standard online poker pros & cons
Pros | Cons |
✅There are many elements to online poker, making it an intriguing and exciting game to play. | ❌You need to have an understanding of the game to play. |
✅There are low-budget and high-roller tables available to suit all bankrolls. | ❌You typically have to sign up for an online poker site to play cash and tournament games for real money. |
✅If you’re a skilled poker player, you can manipulate the outcome to beat other players by bluffing. | ❌Standard online poker games take longer than their video poker counterparts. |
Three-card poker pros & cons
Pros | Cons |
✅Three-card poker is straightforward and can be played by beginners and experienced players alike. | ❌Due to the fast-paced natured of the game, it’s easy to get carried away when playing video poker. |
✅Game rounds are much shorter than standard poker, meaning you can get through more games in a shorter period. | ❌The lack of betting options in three-card poker means the gameplay can get a little repetitive. |
✅You don’t have to worry about bluffing or beating other players, as you play directly against the dealer. | ❌There’s no skill involved in video poker, and you cannot bluff your way to victory. |
Conclusion
Three-card poker is an extremely popular game at online casinos in Vietnam. It allows gamblers—beginners and experienced poker players alike—to enjoy a fast-paced, fun-filled poker variant without worrying about beating other players.
After all, three-card poker is a straight shoot-out between you and the dealer, and if you have a higher-ranking hand than the dealer, you will win a payout. Find more card games in evo.io casino here.
FAQs
How does three-card poker differ from traditional poker games?
The main difference between three-card and other online poker games is that the former involves only three cards rather than five. Another big difference is that in three-card poker, you play against the dealer instead of against other players at the table.
What is the minimum bet in three-card poker?
The minimum bet in three-card poker can be as little as $0.10 per game, depending on your chosen variant. One of the best things about this game is that it’s highly accessible to beginners and low-budget players, so you don’t need to break the bank to get involved.
Are there any side bets in three-card poker?
Yes, there are a few side bets in three-card poker. The first is pair plus, but you can also bet on the six-card bonus bet, which invites you to bet on a royal flush for a vast potential payout, which is usually the biggest win in the game.
What is the house edge in three-card poker?
Three-card poker has a house edge of 3.37%, but this varies when you play different hands. You can also find three-card poker casino games with a higher or lower house edge, so always check the game before playing.
Is three-card poker a game of skill or luck?
While skill plays a massive role in standard online poker, it doesn’t come into play for three-card players. This is because you cannot do anything to affect the cards you’re dealt, and you can’t bluff your way to victory, as you’re only playing against the dealer.