Are 3-Card Poker Payouts Profitable?

Developed in 1994 by Derrek Webb, 3 Card Poker is a fast-paced profitable proprietary table game you can play at most cardrooms and online casinos the world over. It is undeniably one of the casino table games with the lowest house edges. As it were, that gives you better odds of grinding some big wins.

However, you shouldn’t be carried away by the lower house edge because the game combines luck and skill. So, while you stand a chance to win, you can also blow huge sums of cash if you don’t have a clear 3 Card Poker strategy and proper bankroll management.

3 Card Poker Variations

Three Card Poker is available in several variants with different payouts. Here are the popular variations of the game:

Progressive Three Card Poker

This is similar to progressive jackpot slots. The variant has an impressive payout that keeps increasing when played without someone winning. It has three versions, each with a unique payout. The first version has a $90 payout for three of a kind. It pays $500 for Mini Royal and $100 for Straight Flush.

The second version pays $60 for three of a kind, $500 for Mini Royal, and $70 for Straight Flush.

The third version pays $9 for three of a kind, $300 for four of a kind, $30 for Straight, and $40 for Flush.

The most ideal place to test out these payouts would be at a NZ$10 free no deposit casino as you will received $10 free once you have opened your account and this will give you the opportunity to actually try out the game.

Ultimate Three Card Poker

This variant has a 3.88 house edge with optimal strategy and allows you to play up to thrice your ante wager when you have a pair or better. The dealer shows you one of their cards before you make a move.

If you feel you have a stronger hand than the dealer, you place a blind bet equal to the Ante wager. The game pays 6:1 for three of a kind, 8:1 for Straight Flush, and 100:1 for Moni Royal. A Play wager pays even money.

Three Card Poker Prime

This variant has a 3.62% house edge and has a better payout when you have a Straight or Better. However, it has no ante bonus, and the prime side bet has a 3:1 payout when all of your cards have the same color. Talking of side bets, pair plus is the Three Card side bet with the lowest house edge, i.e. 2.32%.

The Basic Strategy for Playing 3 Card Poker

Before you start playing the game for real money, it is vital to learn it and acquaint yourself with the rules. Study the pay-table of the game you wish to play and get the hang of it. Note that 3 card poker variations come with a different payout structure and rules. You can start playing demo versions of the game if you are new to 3 card poker. So, look for an online casino with a demo-play option and explore the available 3 card poker selection.

As you play the game, try to put the rules you’ve learnt into action. And once you are confident with the skills you’ve acquired, you can gradually start having a go at real money poker titles. More importantly, bet with a lower denomination and stick to it until you have the rules and betting systems on your fingertips. To this end, you need to set your bankroll and maintain it until you feel confident to try placing larger bet amounts.

Let’s see how to play the Three Card Poker game. The game is played on a single 52-card deck. The deck is shuffled after each hand, and the shuffler deals three cards to each player at once. So, you start by placing an ante bet before the dealer announces the start of the round. The strength of your hand is what dictates whether you have to play or discard the hand. To play, you have to place another bet (Play bet) matching your ante bet. After that, the dealer flips over their hand.

If the dealer has a higher hand, you lose your play bet and your ante bet. And if you beat the dealer, you get paid for your ante bet. Moreover, you’ll be paid for your Play wager in case the dealer fails to get a qualifying hand (a queen high or better).

You also win, even when your cards are lower, if you have any hand you didn’t discard, and the dealer failed to get a qualifying hand. Remember, the dealer’s hand does not qualify if it does not have at least a queen. And things get tricky in the event of a tie (push). Some casinos consider it a win for the player, while others consider it a win for the house.

The House Edge in Three Card Poker

Like any other table game, Three Card Poker has a house edge. This is the mathematical advantage that the casino has over you. Three Card Poker, as aforementioned, has a low house advantage. Yes, the game’s house advantage may not be the lowest in the gambling industry, but it can drop as low as 2.2%. What that means is you get $97.8 for every $100 wager. Of course, that applies when you win and is, undoubtedly, a profitable payout.

Understanding Ante Bet and Play Bet

There are two standard wagers in three card poker, i.e., Ante bet and Play bet. An ante is a forced wager in which all players place equal amounts of cash into the pot before the commencement of the deal. Antes enable more players to stay in hand. As a result, the pot size scales up, making the game even more attractive regarding the payout.

Making an ante wager also makes you eligible for bonus payouts. Even though wins vary from one casino to another, you will get an ante bonus as follows:

· Straight: 1:1

· Straight Flush: 5 to 1

· Three-of-a-kind: 4 to 1

In-Play bets, your wager is returned as a push if the dealer fails to get a qualifying hand. As already explained, a qualifying hand means the hand has to be a queen-high or better. If you have a better hand than the dealer, your Play bet and ante bet get paid even money.

Three Card Poker also comes with bonus side bets that give you even more money. For instance, Six-Card Bonus has an irresistible Royal Flush with a 1000: 1 payout.

In conclusion, Three Card Poker is fun and easy to learn. It has a low house edge that increases your odds of getting big wins. But equally important, you should never play for real money until you understand the ins and outs of the game. We, therefore, advise beginners to start by playing at a casino that allows free play.