As the fan of gambling and card games that I am, I have always thought of the current card games we play in a casino, as well as classic games that were invented way before I was born. I guess I always thought of it that way, since it connects me to the 1930’s and the gangster cool guy (I wish,) that lives inside of me. There’s one game though, that was invented way after I was born and is now such a part of the casino world, that I can’t imagine a casino without it: Three Card Poker, a fun version of poker that was invented by Derek Webb in 1994.
So why has this game become such a popular part of the casino world?
Poker players know that Three Card Poker is one of the simplest games in a casino due to the fact that there are very few rules involved and there’s minimal strategy to it. Actually, this is why so many people love it and see it as a recreational game you can play while socializing.
As you know, Three Card Poker is basically two different games in one: Pair Plus” and “Ante & Play,” where the players can bet on one or both and may vary the wager apart from each other. Even though this is an easier game, it still has essential rules no one should forget. If you’re enjoying this game or you’re starting to play it, make sure you keep these payout and bonus rules in mind. Since they vary according to the hands that you play, I think these are the most valuable guidelines to remember.
Bonus on Ante
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- Players that qualify for the Ante Bonus don’t have to keep playing as they normally would before seeing the dealer’s cards.
- There are card combinations that reward Ante players, regardless of how the game concludes.
- If your hand contains a straight (normal or flush) or three cards of the same value, you will be paid the Ante bonus.
o A straight (normal) qualifies for more money of a 1:1 payout.
o A straight (flush) qualifies for a 5:1 (sometimes 4:1) payout bonus.
o Three cards of the same face value will qualify for a 3:1 payout bonus.
- The payout bonus influences the calculation of the house edge with the Ante/Play. For example, if the bonus payouts are listed as 5:4:1, the house edge is calculated as 3.4%. If the bonus payouts are listed as 4:3:1, the house edge is calculated as 6.8%.
Pair Plus Payouts
- This hand is played in a separate game against the dealer and the payouts are calculated based on the cards dealt in your hand and are as follow:
o Two cards of the same face value 1:1
o Three cards of the same suit: 4:1
o Three cards in sequential order without matching suit: 6:1
o Three cards of the same face value: 30:1
o Three cards of the same suit and in sequential order: 40:1
