Walking up to a 3 Card Poker table for the first time can be intimidating. The felt looks different than Blackjack, and you see players betting on two circles. But don't sweat it. This game is one of the simplest table games to learn, with fast action and a low house edge if you play smart. Here's exactly what you need to know to play 3 Card Poker at a US casino, whether you're at a physical Caesars Palace or logging into BetMGM Casino online.
The Two Bets of 3 Card Poker: Pair Plus and Ante-Play
Unlike Blackjack, you're not playing against other players. You're only trying to beat the dealer's hand. First, you place your bets. You have two options, and you can play one or both on each hand. The Pair Plus bet is a side bet on whether your own three cards will form a pair or better. You win based on a paytable, regardless of what the dealer has. The Ante bet is the main game. You put money on the ‘Ante’ circle. After seeing your cards, you decide to either fold (losing your Ante) or make an equal ‘Play’ bet to challenge the dealer.
Understanding the Pair Plus Paytable
Before you bet, check the table's Pair Plus paytable. A standard paytable pays 40-to-1 for a straight flush, 30-to-1 for three of a kind, 6-to-1 for a straight, 4-to-1 for a flush, and 1-to-1 for a pair. Some casinos, like Borgata Online, might offer a more generous 25-to-1 for three of a kind but adjust other payouts. The house edge on Pair Plus is typically between 2.3% and 7.3%, depending on the paytable. It's a simple, high-variance bet.
The Ante-Play Game: Your Strategy to Beat the Dealer
You and the dealer each get three cards. After placing your Ante bet and getting your cards, you have one decision: fold or play. If you fold, you lose your Ante bet. If you place the equal Play bet, the dealer qualifies and the hands are compared. The dealer must have Queen-high or better to qualify. If the dealer doesn't qualify, your Ante bet wins even money and your Play bet pushes (returns as a tie). If the dealer qualifies and beats your hand, you lose both bets. If your hand beats the dealer's qualified hand, both your Ante and Play bets pay 1-to-1.
The One Rule That Cuts the House Edge
The optimal strategy is straightforward: only make the Play bet if you have Queen-6-4 or better. This means if your highest card is a Queen, your second-highest must be at least a 6, and your third at least a 4. If you have Queen-6-3, you fold. This simple rule reduces the house edge on the Ante-Play portion to about 3.4%. Many players make the mistake of playing too many hands, which dramatically increases the casino's advantage.
Bonus Payouts on the Ante Bet
To make things more exciting, your Ante bet often gets a bonus payout for a strong hand, even if you fold or the dealer doesn't qualify. A common Ante Bonus pays 5-to-1 for a straight flush, 4-to-1 for three of a kind, and 1-to-1 for a straight. This is paid independently of the main game outcome. So, if you get a straight but the dealer beats you, you still get the 1-to-1 bonus on your Ante bet while losing your Ante and Play bets to the dealer. It softens the blow.
Playing 3 Card Poker at US Online Casinos
The rules are identical at sites like DraftKings Casino and FanDuel Casino. The interface will have clear betting spots for ‘Ante’, ‘Pair Plus’, and ‘Play’. The game often moves faster online. You can use bonuses to play, but check the wagering requirements. A 100% deposit match up to $1,000 with a 30x playthrough requirement is common. Remember, table game contributions to wagering are often low (10-20%), so you'll need to play a lot to clear the bonus. Popular payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and sometimes crypto at sites like BetRivers Casino.
FAQ
Do I have to bet both the Ante and Pair Plus?
No, you can bet on just the Ante, just the Pair Plus, or both. They are separate games. Many beginners start with just Pair Plus to get a feel for the hand rankings without the dealer-comparison decision.
What's the best bet in 3 Card Poker?
Statistically, the Ante-Play game with perfect strategy (only playing Q-6-4 or better) has a lower house edge (around 3.4%) than the Pair Plus bet (typically 2.3%-7.3%). However, Pair Plus offers bigger, less frequent payouts. A balanced approach is common.
What happens if I get a great hand but the dealer doesn't qualify?
If the dealer doesn't have at least a Queen-high, your Play bet is returned as a push. Your Ante bet wins 1-to-1. You also receive any Ante Bonus payout your hand qualifies for. So you still profit, just not as much as if you had beaten a qualified dealer.
Can I find 3 Card Poker at all online casinos in the USA?
Most major, licensed US online casinos like BetMGM, Caesars, and Hard Rock Bet offer it in their live dealer and RNG (random number generator) table game sections. It's a staple. If you don't see it, use the search function within the casino app or site.