The game of 3 Card Poker is popular at many tables in live and online casinos. The game requires a basic understanding of poker hands, even though it is played with fewer cards than traditional poker variations. Players in 3 Card Poker compete against the house as opposed to one another, which makes the game have a more relaxed and social atmosphere. Players enjoy the game because 3 Card Poker odds and probabilities have a smaller house advantage than many other casino games.

• 3 Card Poker Hand Odds
• 3 Card Poker Odds

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• Main Features of 3 Card Poker. The player can play on up to four boxes in three card poker. The player can place an ANTE bet and/or a bet on the bonus (called Pair Plus) on any box. Each box in play is dealt three cards. The cards on all boxes are turned face-up immediately after the deal in 3 Card Poker.
• The Numbers Players enjoy 3 Card Poker because it has favorable odds. In 3 Card Poker, the player has a probability of 44.91% to win, while the dealer has a probability of 55.04% to.

The Pair Plus wager is what draws most players to 3 Card Poker, because it pays regularly and has payoffs as high as 40-1 (higher on some games, usually with worse odds for the player). As with most bonus-style bets, the house has a much higher edge than on the regular Ante wager.

3 Card Poker Rules

3 Card Poker begins when the player pays into either of the two bets available. An ante bet is required in order for the player to be dealt in. There is a side bet that is also available in the form of a Pair Plus wager. The Pair Plus wager is optional and has its own set of 3 Card Poker odds and probabilities. When all bets are assessed, the dealer will deal each player a three-card hand and an additional three-card hand to himself. At this point, players are allowed to look at their cards.

The object of 3 Card Poker is to beat the house’s hand, so if a player feels that his or her hand is adequate, he or she can pay an additional play wager. The play wager is the same amount as the original ante. If the player is not sure that his or her hand can beat the house, he or she may choose to fold. Once all bets are final, the dealer will reveal his hand and will pay any winners accordingly. In order for the dealer’s hand to qualify, he must have at least a Queen or better. If not, then all players will receive even money for their ante and their play bet will be considered a wash.

If the dealer does qualify, then his hand will be compared to each players’ hand. Any hand that beats or ties will be paid even money for both of his or her wagers. The additional Pair Plus side bet is paid out if the player has a three-card hand that is equal to or better than a pair. Both 3 Card Poker wagers have their own odds and probabilities, and it is possible to lose to the dealer but win the Pair Plus and vice versa.

House Edge

With two different wagers in 3 Card Poker, the odds and probabilities will change depending on how a player decides to bet. In the traditional game of 3 Card Poker, with no Pair Plus involved, the house advantage for the majority of online casinos will be 3.37%. Pair Plus offers less favorable odds with a house edge of 7.28% at most online casinos. This is because the wagers in Pair Plus are conditional and the highest payout is the hardest to obtain.

The Numbers

Players enjoy 3 Card Poker because it has favorable odds. In 3 Card Poker, the player has a probability of 44.91% to win, while the dealer has a probability of 55.04% to win. The odds of a tie or push are 0.06%. The player can also gain an even payout for the ante bet should the dealer not qualify. The odds of the dealer receiving a non-qualifying hand are 30.41%.

The Pair Plus bet in 3 Card Poker has a different set of odds and probabilities because the payout depends directly upon the cards that a player has in his or her hand. The biggest win possible in the Pair Plus wager is a straight flush, but the odds of actually getting a straight flush are only 0.22%. The odds of receiving a pair, which is the lowest qualifying hand, are only 16.94%. In fact, the Pair Plus will be a losing bet most of the time because a player will only have a 25.61% probability of having any qualifying hand.

The Payout

The amount that a casino pays out will alter the 3 Card Poker odds and probabilities. At many casinos, any winning hand that is lower than or equal to a straight will pay out even. Some casinos may pay out a bonus for winning hands that are a three of a kind or a straight flush. In this case, most casinos pay a three of a kind 4 to 1 and a straight flush 5 to 1.

The pay structure for the Pair Plus wager is separate and depends only on what a player has in his or her hand. The following is a common pay out system for the Pair Plus wager. In order to qualify for the Pair Plus wager, players must have at least a pair or better.

• Straight Flush – 40 to 1
• Three of a Kind – 30 to 1
• Straight – 6 to 1
• Flush – 3 to 1
• Pair – 1 to 1

3 Card Poker is a favorite among online gaming enthusiasts because of its favorable odds and probabilities. On average, players in 3 Card Poker win a little less than half of the time and play against a house advantage of 3.37%. The Pair Plus bet is a separate factor of 3 Card Poker with its own set of probabilities and odds. The Pair Plus is a harder wager to win and on average will only award players with an even pay out.

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