How to Play Three Card Poker
During a game of three card poker, you are only playing against the dealer and not the other players at the table. You only need to worry about what your cards are, and what cards the house has.
The game begins with each player placing an ante bet. Then, the dealer gives the house and each player three cards. The dealer’s cards are face down, but you can always look at your own cards.
After seeing your cards, you can decide whether to fold or call based on the strength of your hand. If you fold, your ante bet is lost. However, if you call, you must increase your bet by the size of your original ante bet.
How do you win three-card poker?
- Check to see if the dealer qualifies: The dealer needs to have a queen-high or better to qualify. If they do not, players win even money on the ante bet and a play bet is a push.
- If the dealer does qualify: Compare the strength of your hand against the dealer’s hand. If your hand is better, you win even money on both ante bets and play bets. If the dealer has the stronger hand, ante bets and play bets both lose. On a tie, it is a push.
- You also win on a straight or better: There is a special bonus in three-card poker. No matter what the dealer has, players, win an ante bonus if they can show a straight or better.