Nearly all Las Vegas casinos of any significance spread three Card Poker. The minimum bets range from $2 at Joker’s Wild to $15 at Aria. Players will need double the Ante bet to play, meaning that the true minimum bet is double the posted amount. This does not include the Pair Plus side bet, which may be bet by itself without an accompanying Ante wager.

The game’s appeal is its simplicity. While it has a small element of skill, it is easy to learn. The house edge is reasonable to most players. It is typically a friendly crowd at the tables.

3 card hand values: The first thing you will probably notice from the hand rankings list below is that a straight has a higher ranking than a flush. That's simply because there are fewer ways to make a 3 card straight than a 3 card flush. As in most poker games, aces play both high and low to a straight.

Three card poker odds and payouts We described the standard 1:1 payouts in the 3 card poker rules outlined above, but those are just one part of this game. The excitement jumps up a few notches because three card poker also includes an ante bet bonus. The ante bet bonus is based purely on the player’s three cards. The hand A-K-Q is the highest straight and the hand 3-2-A is the lowest one in three card poker. If the player made his ANTE and has a straight or higher, he receives an ANTE Bonus ( table 1 ). This payout is made regardless of the strength of the dealer’s hand.

How to Play Three Card Poker

Three Card Poker is one of the simplest table games in Las Vegas to learn. There is only one rule related to skill to understand.

#2: Raise or Fold – Players and the dealer are dealt three cards face down. Players look at their three cards and decide whether to raise. If the player has queen-six-four or higher, the player should raise. The Raise bet is equal to the amount of the Ante. If the player does not raise, he folds. The dealer then looks at the house hand and compares it to each player.

• If the dealer beats the player, the Raise loses.
• The Ante loses if the player has less than a straight, keeping in mind that a straight ranks higher than a flush in Three Card Poker.
• Antes push if the dealer does not make at least queen-high.

Flush or Higher Payouts

Three Card Poker Payouts

If the player makes a flush or higher, the Ante is paid based on the following chart, regardless of whether the player wins or loses:

• Straight Flush: 5-1
• Three of a Kind: 4-1
• Straight: 1-1

Pair Plus Payouts

The Pair Plus is paid whether the player wins or loses. It pays based on the following:

• Straight Flush: 40-1
• Three of a Kind: 30-1
• Straight: 6-1
• Flush: Either 4-1 or 3-1
• Any Pair: 1-1

If you are not in Las Vegas, you can still play Three Card Poker against a live dealer and get a Vegas experience.

Playing Three Card Poker at Las Vegas Casinos in 2018

3 Card Poker Strategy