An Expert Guide to 3-Card Poker

3-Card poker is one of the most popular online table games. This casino game is a variation of Stud Poker and it’s played using a standard 52- card deck. Many players choose this variant because it offers numerous betting options and strategies to maximize winning opportunities. The good thing is that gamblers can try out 3-card poker for free at top online casinos in Singapore, before risking real money. 

This article provides relevant information for players of all experiences. You will learn about the history of this poker variation, the rules of playing, game payouts, and tips to increase your chances of winning.

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What is 3-Card Poker – A Brief History

The famous 3-card poker variation was invented in 1994by a British man called Derek Webb. His objective was to design a unique player vs. a standard poker game with distinguishing features. Also, the new game is fast-paced and offers bigger payouts than a regular poker game. Webb borrowed most of his ideas from the stud poker where he cut off two cards from the game. Today, 3-Card poker is popular not only in Singapore but across the world. This variation fits in modern times taking into account that punters usually prefer the thrill of fast-paced games. Even more appealing about the game is the fact that it has numerous strategies to enable you to win more.

3-Card Poker Review

3-Card Poker Gameplay and Rules

As we already stated, 3-Card poker has become a popular choice in Singapore, thanks to its simple rules and immersive gameplay. Before you start playing, you need to understand the main betting options available. Also, being a skill-based game, you need to master the rules to reduce the chances of losing money. 

The game starts with the player placing an ante-bet or a pair plus bet. Then the player and the dealer are dealt each three cards face-down. Players open their cards to see if they have a better hand than the dealers. If the hand is higher, the player places a bet that equals the ante-bet. Players have also the option of folding to forfeit the ante-bet if their hand does not beat the dealers.

After all the wagers are made, the cards are turned and arranged into the best possible hand. The dealer must have a hand of a queen or higher to qualify. All the ante bets are paid to players at odds 1:1 if the dealer fails to qualify. However, the ante and play bets are forfeited if the dealer has a better hand than the player. Enthusiasts should also take into account that The ante and play bets are paid at 1:1 if the dealer qualifies but the player holds a better poker hand.

The bets are pushed if the dealer qualifies. Below are listed 3-card poker hand rankings:

  • Straight Flush: It features three cards of the same kind in a sequence. 
  • Three-of-a-Kind: It features three poker cards of the same rank.
  • Straight: It features three cards in a sequence.
  • Flush: It features three cards of the same kind.
  • Pair: It features two cards of similar rank.
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3-Card Poker Payouts

Another important thing you must know before playing real money 3-card poker is the payouts. The following are some of the main betting options and payouts:

Pair Plus Payout

A Pair Plus is a unique bet because you don’t compete against the dealer or other players. You bet on your results to be a pair or better. The higher the hand you get, the bigger payout you receive. However, you risk losing your entire bet if you don’t get at least a pair. The pair plus has a house edge of 7.28%.

The pair plus payouts are as follows:

  • Straight Flush – Pays at 40:1
  • Three-of-a-Kind – Pays at 30:1
  • Straight – Pays at 6:1
  • Flush – Pays at 3:1
  • Pair – Pays at 1:1

Ante Bonus Payout

The advantage of the ante bonus is that Singaporean gamers qualify for a bonus payout even if the dealer does not qualify. The payout for the ante bet is as follows:

  • Straight Flush – 5:1 payout, odds of 1 in 453
  • Three-of-a-Kind – 4:1 payout, odds of 1 in 415
  • Straight – 1:1 payout, odds of 1 in 29.6

Six Card Bonus Payout

A good range of 3-card poker games comes with six card payouts. You can qualify for this bonus by placing an additional bet that equals the ante bet. The payout for the six card bonus is as follows:

  • Royal Flush – 1,000:1
  • Straight Flush – 200:1
  • Four-of-a-Kind – 100:1
  • Full House – 20:1
  • Flush – 15:1
  • Straight – 9:1
  • Three-of-a-Kind – 8:1
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3-Card Poker Winning Tips and Strategies

The good thing with this poker variation is that you can apply different strategies, in order to win bigger payouts. Here are some strategies to apply:

  • Practice in Free Mode: As we already mentioned, this variation comes in both: free play and real money mode. It’s better to play for free and understand the rules before you risk your money.
  • Take Advantage of Bonuses: Online casinos reward various bonuses and promotions. Use these bonuses to boost your balance and increase your betting time.
  • Learn the Basics: Being a skill-based game, it’s essential to take time to learn the basics of the game and how it works. 
  • Bankroll Management: Understanding how bankroll works will help you to know whether you are profiting from losing. 
3-Card Poker

Conclusion

Three-card poker is a fun and quite challenging casino game, it really stands out among other types of poker. Though the game is available in free play mode, you need to master the rules to know how it works. The information we have provided should help you to enjoy this exciting table game at any online casino in Singapore. 

FAQ

Yes, you can play 3-card poker in free mode in almost all online casinos.

Compared to the other types of poker games, 3 card poker is relatively easy to learn, but it still is a skill-based game, so after learning the rules and hand rankings, we advice to practice in a free mode and only when you feel comfortable start playing for real money in the best online casinos.

The house edge in 3-card poker is 3.37% for the Ante bet, 4.49% for Pair Plus, and 8.56% for the Six Cards bet.

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