Three Card Poker is a fun and fast-paced casino game that combines elements of traditional poker with a few unique twists. Here’s a quick overview of how to play:
### Basic Rules:
1. **The Deal**: Each player and the dealer are dealt three cards. Players can look at their own cards, but the dealer’s cards are dealt face down.
2. **Ante and Pair Plus Bets**: Before the cards are dealt, players must make an Ante bet. They also have the option to place a Pair Plus bet, which is a wager on whether their hand will contain a pair or better.
3. **Playing the Hand**:
- After looking at their cards, players must decide whether to fold or continue playing by making a Play bet, which is equal to the Ante bet.
- If the player folds, they lose their Ante bet.
- If the player makes a Play bet, they place their cards face down on the table.
4. **Dealer Qualification**: The dealer needs a queen high or better to qualify.
- If the dealer does not qualify, the Ante bet pays even money and the Play bet is returned to the player.
- If the dealer qualifies and the player’s hand beats the dealer’s hand, both the Ante and Play bets pay even money.
- If the dealer’s hand beats the player’s hand, the player loses both the Ante and Play bets.
5. **Pair Plus Payouts**: Regardless of whether the dealer qualifies, the Pair Plus bet is paid based on the player’s hand:
- Pair: 1 to 1
- Flush: 4 to 1
- Straight: 6 to 1
- Three of a Kind: 30 to 1
- Straight Flush: 40 to 1
### Hand Rankings:
- **High Card**: No pair, the highest card wins.
- **Pair**: Two cards of the same rank.
- **Flush**: Three cards of the same suit.
- **Straight**: Three consecutive cards of different suits.
- **Three of a Kind**: Three cards of the same rank.
- **Straight Flush**: Three consecutive cards of the same suit.
### Strategy Tips:
- Generally, it’s recommended to play if you have a hand of Queen-6-4 or better.
- Remember that the Pair Plus bet is independent of the dealer’s hand, so it’s purely based on your own cards.
Enjoy playing! It’s a game of chance, but with some strategic decisions, you can make the most of your hands.
