3 Card Poker

3 Card Poker is simple, fun and fast-paced - with two exciting ways to play and four exciting ways to win! The first betting option is Ante Play, where you bet against the dealer's hand. Your aim is to get the highest hand to win. Additionally you can play Pair Plus, where you can bet that you will be dealt a pair or better.

How to play

1.) Placing a bet and starting the game

  • Move the cursor between Ante and Pair Plus by pressing the LEFT/RIGHT or 4/6 keys.

  • Place a chip by pressing the FIRE or 5 key.

  • Remove one chip by pressing the 0 key or remove all chips by pressing the * key.

  • Change the chip value by pressing the UP/DOWN or 2/8 keys.

  • Press the "Start" button to hand out the cards and start the game.

2.) Play or Fold

  • Switch between "Play" and "Fold" by pressing the UP/DOWN or 2/8 keys.

  • Press FIRE or 5 to play/fold.

  • Afterwards, press “Continue” to start a new game.

Ante Play

The object of Ante Play is to achieve a higher hand than the Dealer. The Dealer needs a hand greater than or equal to Queen-high to qualify.
To play, place an Ante bet and select "Start". You will be dealt 3 cards face up, the Dealer gets 3 cards face down. After viewing your cards, you have the option of Folding (select "Fold") or Playing (select "Play").
If you select "Fold", your hand is ended and your Ante bet is lost.
If you select "Play", your original bet is doubled and the Dealer's cards are revealed.

1.) Ante Play Payouts

Dealer has less than Queen-High and does not qualify:
Ante bet wins 1:1.
Play bet pushes.

Dealer has Queen-High or greater, qualifies and Player beats Dealer:
Ante wins 1:1.
Play wins 1:1.

Dealer has Queen-High or greater, qualifies and Dealer beats Player:
Ante loses.
Play loses.

Dealer has Queen-High or greater, qualifies and Dealer and Player tie (see High Card Rules):
Ante pushes.
Play pushes.

2.) High Card Rules

If Player and Dealer both have High card only, the highest card wins.
If Dealer and Player tie on High card, the next highest card is used to break the tie. If this card also ties, the 3rd card is used to break the tie. If this card also ties Ante Play hand is a push.

3.) Ante Bonus

In addition to the payouts stated in Ante Play Payouts, you win extra with an Ante bet on any of the following hands:

Hand Payoff
Straight Flush 5:1
Three of a Kind 4:1
Straight 1:1

The Ante Bonus is paid regardless of whether you beat the Dealer or not.

4.) Hand Rankings

Hands are ranked using the following 3 Card Poker rankings:

3 Card Poker Rankings Hand Descriptions
Straight Flush 3 cards in sequence of same suit
Three of a Kind 3 cards of same value
Straight 3 cards in sequence, not of same suit
Flush 3 cards of same suit
Pair 2 cards of same value and 1 single
High Card 3 singles, highest value card

Pair Plus

The object of the Pair Plus Game is to get a 3-card hand containing at least one Pair.
Player is paid regardless of the Dealer's Hand. Pair Plus can only be played in combination with Ante Play.
To play, place an Ante bet and also a Pair Plus bet and select "Start". You will be dealt 3 cards face up, the Dealer gets 3 cards face down.
After viewing your cards, you have the option of Folding (select "Fold") or Playing (select "Play").
If you select "Fold", your hand is ended and your Ante bet and your Pair Plus bet is lost.
If you select "Play", your original Ante bet is doubled and the Dealer's cards are revealed.
In Pair Plus, you win on a Pair or better, according to the following chart.

Hand Payoff
Straight Flush 40:1
Three of a Kind 30:1
Straight 6:1
Flush 4:1
Pair 1:1
High Card Lose Bet
 
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Glossary entries for this article:
  • Ante

    A small sum of money placed in the pot by each player.

  • Break

    bwin recommends customers to take regular breaks from a game and only to play when they are fully rested and concentrated.

  • Button

    Virtual dealer marker moved from player to player in a clockwise direction after each hand. The player on the button always acts last. Consequently the player left of the button, in the first position, always acts first.

  • Fold

    To drop out of a hand.