The Three Card Poker game is relatively new compared to many other forms of the game, having been 'invented' only in 1994 and patented in 1997. It's a really fast paced and fun poker game that is very easy to play. The 3 Card Video Poker is a mixture of two games, presenting the player with a unique chance of playing against the machine and trying to form the best possible combination of cards on one side and placing a separate wager on an odd that a hand of Pair or better will be dealt, on the other. The rules are quite simple and both the player and the "house" will receive 3 cards each. The players will have three betting options in front of them – Ante, Play and Pair Plus. Once the bet is placed on Ante, the players will proceed by either folding or staying in the game, which will of course depend on their hand. Folding means that the Ante wager is lost, whereas placing a new bet on the Play betting area will keep the players in the game. The amount of the bet is the same as the original, Ante bet, and the Dealer must now draw a Queen or a higher ranked card to stay in the game. If the Dealer is not able to compete, the players will take the winnings on Ante and get the Play bet back. If the Dealer happens to draw the Queen and thus forming a combination of cards which will outweigh the player's hand, both the Ante and the Play bets will be lost. In some rare cases, a Tie may occur – when that happens, the player's hand will always outweigh the Dealer's. Any payout will of course depend on how the hand is ranked, as shown below: The Pair Plus is completely independent from other bets and the players are paid as soon as they land the necessary combination. The same will happen with the Ante Bonus payout – the player will receive the payout awarded for Straight, Three of a Kind or Straight Flush even if the Dealer's hand is higher. Where to play 3 Card Video Poker? Pretty much along the entire Strip, but most people would recommend Caesars Palace and Downtown Vegas casinos, since the limits are much more favourable there. If you are looking for a more challenging alternative, make sure to visit Golden Nugget and for those of you who are on a budget, online casino with Video Poker games are the best possible option as they offer variants with a wide range of betting limits, suitable for every pocket. The RTP of 3 Card Video Poker depends on the bets in play. The Ante/Play combination has a house edge of approximately 3.37%, giving an RTP of around 96.63% with optimal strategy. The Pair Plus side bet has a variable house edge depending on the specific pay table used, typically ranging from around 2.3% to 7.3% – so checking the Pair Plus pay table before playing is worthwhile. Yes, 3 Card Video Poker is available for real money play at casinos all along the Las Vegas Strip – with Caesars Palace and Downtown Vegas venues particularly recommended for their more favourable limits. Online casinos also offer 3 Card Poker with a wide range of betting limits suitable for every budget, playable on mobile and desktop without any download needed. Three Card Poker is a relatively modern casino game, having been invented in 1994 and officially patented in 1997. Despite being one of the newer poker variants on casino floors, it has grown rapidly in popularity due to its fast pace, simple rules, and the dual-game format combining play against the dealer with the independent Pair Plus side bet. The Pair Plus is an optional side bet in 3 Card Video Poker that pays out solely based on whether the player is dealt a Pair or better, completely independently of the dealer's hand. Payouts range from 1:1 for a Pair up to 40:1 for a Straight Flush. The Pair Plus is settled as soon as the hand is dealt – the player wins it even if they lose the main Ante/Play game against the dealer. The Ante Bonus is an automatic payout in 3 Card Video Poker that rewards strong hands regardless of whether the dealer qualifies or wins the round. A Straight pays 1:1, Three of a Kind pays 4:1, and a Straight Flush pays 5:1 as Ante Bonuses. Like the Pair Plus, these bonuses are awarded to the player even if the dealer's hand is stronger. In 3 Card Video Poker, the dealer must hold a Queen or higher to qualify and compete against the player's hand. If the dealer fails to qualify, the player wins the Ante bet and the Play bet is returned as a push. This qualification rule is an important strategic consideration – knowing when the dealer is likely to miss qualification helps inform whether to fold or raise on borderline hands.3 Card Video Poker
What is a 3 Card Video Poker?
3 Card Video Poker Rules
The ranking of hands and payouts in 3 Card Video Poker
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTP of 3 Card Video Poker?
Can I play 3 Card Video Poker for real money?
When was Three Card Poker invented?
What is the Pair Plus bet in 3 Card Video Poker?
What is the Ante Bonus in 3 Card Video Poker?
What is the minimum qualifying hand for the dealer in 3 Card Video Poker?
