Three Card Poker Strategy Guide
Master Three Card Poker with optimal Ante/Play and Pair Plus strategies. Learn when to fold, when to play, and how to maximize your winnings.
Fast-Paced
Simple Strategy
Good Payouts
How to Play Three Card Poker
Game Setup
- • Each player receives 3 cards face down
- • Dealer receives 3 cards face down
- • Two main betting options: Ante/Play and Pair Plus
- • Optional side bets available
- • No card exchanges or draws
Betting Process
- • Place Ante bet and/or Pair Plus bet
- • Look at your 3 cards
- • Decide to Play (match Ante) or Fold
- • Dealer reveals cards
- • Compare hands and settle bets
Hand Rankings & Payouts
| Rank | Hand | Ante Bonus | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Straight Flush | 40:1 | A♠ K♠ Q♠ |
| 2 | Three of a Kind | 30:1 | K♥ K♠ K♦ |
| 3 | Straight | 6:1 | Q♥ J♠ 10♦ |
| 4 | Flush | 3:1 | K♠ 9♠ 7♠ |
| 5 | Pair | 1:1 | A♥ A♠ 8♦ |
| 6 | High Card | 1:1 | A♥ K♠ 9♦ |
Note: Ante bonus is paid regardless of dealer qualification. Dealer must have Queen high or better to qualify.
Three Card Poker Strategy
Optimal Ante/Play Strategy
The Golden Rule
Play with Queen-6-4 or better, Fold with Jack high or worse
PLAY
Queen High or Better
Mathematically optimal threshold
Q-7-2
K-4-3
A-5-2
Any pair or better
FOLD
Jack High or Lower
Negative expected value
J-9-8
10-8-6
9-7-5
8-6-4
Special Cases
- • Q-6-4 is the exact cutoff point - PLAY this hand
- • Q-6-3 or lower - FOLD
- • Any pair or better - always PLAY
- • Ace high - always PLAY
- • King high - always PLAY
Best Three Card Poker Casinos
Royal Vegas Casino
★9.8
100% up to $1,200
Live dealers
Multiple variants
Low minimums
Diamond Palace
★9.6
200% up to $2,000
Progressive jackpots
VIP tables
Mobile optimized
Golden Crown
★9.4
150% up to $1,500
Fast gameplay
HD streaming
24/7 support
Game Statistics
House Edge (Ante/Play):3.37%
House Edge (Pair Plus):7.28%
Dealer Qualification:Queen High
Pair or Better:25.61%
Skill Level:Easy
Quick Reference
PLAY
Q-6-4 or better
FOLD
Q-6-3 or worse
Always PLAY
Any pair, A-high, K-high