Three Card Poker

By Henry Tamburin  What is Three Card Poker? The object of the game is to hope your three-card poker hand…

Play legal Poker at these online casinos in PA & NJ:

WynnBET
1
97 score
$1 000 Bonus
30x Wagering
2 Freespins
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | Terms and Conditions at www.wynbet.com. Must be 21 or older to participate. Only available in MI & NJ. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-270-7117 (MI); 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ). | Terms and conditions applies

BetMGM
2
96 score
$1 025 Bonus
15x Wagering
- Freespins
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA, WV) or call 1-800-270-7117 (MI) for confidential help. Must be 21+. MI, NJ, PA and WV only. New Customers Only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms and Conditions. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit/Bonus Bets unless otherwise provided in the applicable terms. Rewards subject to expiry. | Terms and conditions applies

Unibet
3
95 score
$510 Bonus
10x Wagering
- Freespins
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | 21+ and physically located in PA. Restrictions Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. | Terms and conditions applies

BetRivers.NET
4
93 score
10 - 1000 VC$ Bonus
- Freespins
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | Not a real money site. No gambling is involved or real money wins. Games are not intended for minors under the age of 18. | Terms and conditions applies

Pulsz
5
93 score
2.3 SCs + 5,000 GCs Bonus
- Freespins
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | There's no real money gaming offered at Pulsz.com and is intended solely for entertainment purposes. No purchase is necessary. Users must be 18 or over. | Terms and conditions applies

Virgin Casino
6
93 score
$100 Bonus
1x Wagering
- Freespins
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | You must be 21 years or older and located in the state of New Jersey to play. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call: 1-800-GAMBLER. Visit www.virgincasino.com for full Terms and Conditions. | Terms and conditions applies

Borgata Online
7
92 score
$1 020 Bonus
1x Wagering
- Freespins
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | Visit BorgataOnline.com for Terms and Conditions. Must be 21+. NJ & PA Only. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Terms. If you or someone you know has a Gambling Problem, help is available. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. | Terms and conditions applies

Golden Nugget
8
92 score
$1 000 Bonus
10x Wagering
200 Freespins
1x Wagering
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | Must be 21 or older to participate. Only available in NJ. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Visit at www.goldennuggetcasino.com for Terms and Conditions. | Terms and conditions applies

PokerStars Casino
9
92 score
$600 Bonus
- Freespins
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | 21+ and physically located in NJ, MI or PA. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. New players only. $10 minimum deposit. Terms apply. | Terms and conditions applies

Caesars Casino
10
91 score
$2 010 Bonus
20x Wagering
- Freespins
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | Must be 21 or older and physically present in New Jersey. Know When To Stop Before You Start. Gambling Problem? If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). See Caesars.com/promos for minimum wagering requirements and full terms. | Terms and conditions applies

PartyCasino
11
90 score
$1 000 Bonus
15x Wagering
25 Freespins
0x Wagering
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | Visit casino.nj.partycasino.com for Terms and Conditions. Must be 21+. NJ Only. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Terms. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. | Terms and conditions applies

PlayLive! Casino
12
90 score
$625 Bonus
10x Wagering
25 Freespins
20x Wagering
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | 21+ and physically located in PA. New members only. Wagering Requirements and T&C’s apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800- GAMBLER. | Terms and conditions applies

Bally Casino
13
88 score
$100 Bonus
0x Wagering
- Freespins
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | 21+ and physically located in NJ. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. If you lose your first deposit, we will refund up to $100. New players only. $10 minimum deposit & a wager required to participate. Cashback is withdrawable as cash (subject to minimum $10 withdrawal). Rules apply. | Terms and conditions applies

Wheel of Fortune Casino
14
88 score
$2 525 Bonus
15x Wagering
- Freespins
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | Terms and Conditions apply. Must be 21+. NJ Only. New Customer Offer. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Terms. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. | Terms and conditions applies

bet365
15
83 score
$1 000 Bonus
20x Wagering
- Freespins
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | 21+ and physically located in NJ. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. New Casino customers only. Deposit min. $10. Max. bonus $1,000. Value of deposit plus bonus must be wagered 20 times. Time limits and T&Cs apply. | Terms and conditions applies

RushGames
16
81 score
VC$500 Bonus
- Freespins
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | Terms and conditions applies

BetRivers
17
80 score
$500 Bonus
10x Wagering
- Freespins
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | 21+ and physically located in NJ. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. New players only. Bonus paid as site credit expiring in 30 days. Bonus match of first deposit (up to $500). 10X playthrough requirement on selected games. | Terms and conditions applies

Ocean Online Casino
18
80 score
$1 500 Bonus
30x Wagering
50 Freespins
30x Wagering
Review Play here

Play Responsibly | 21+, Only available to new players in NJ. Welcome package = 100% match bonus up to $500 + $25 no deposit bonus + 50 free spins. Bonus funds and free spins all have a 30x wagering requirement. Min deposit = $50. No deposit bonus funds + free spins expire after 48 hours. Matching bonus funds expire after 7 days. | Terms and conditions applies

  • By Henry Tamburin 

What is Three Card Poker?

The object of the game is to hope your three-card poker hand beats the dealer’s three-card poker hand (the classic “you against the dealer”).

Or, if you do not want to bet against the dealer, you can bet instead that your three-card hand will be at least a pair or higher.

Three Card Poker Basic Rules

The game is played on a blackjack size table using a single deck of cards. Prior to the cards being dealt by the dealer you must decide whether you want to bet against the dealer’s hand or bet that your hand will be at least a pair or higher.

You also have the option of betting both ways – against the dealer and against the pay schedule.

If you want to compete against the dealer’s hand you must make a bet on the Ante.

If instead you want to bet that your three-card hand will be at least a pair or higher, then you would wager on the Pair Plus.

The betting spots for making these wagers are located directly in front of each player.

Example: Betting on the Ante

Let’s assume that you wager on the Ante. Here’s what happens next. The dealer will deal each player and himself three cards face down.

You pick up your cards, look at them, and decide whether you want to stay in the game or fold.

If you want to stay, you must make another equal wager in the Play betting spot.

If you decide instead to fold, you would place your cards face down on the layout toward the dealer. If you fold, the dealer will remove your cards and you lose your Ante bet.

After every player has decided whether to fold or Play, the dealer will face his cards and check whether it contains at least a queen or higher. 

If it does the dealer’s hand is said to “qualify” and he will then face each player’s hand that decided to stay in the game.

If your hand has a higher poker rank than the dealer’s hand, you win your Ante and Play wagers at even money (if you bet $5, you will win $5). If instead the dealer’s hand beats the player’s hand, the player’s Ante and Play wagers are lost.

StepActionSide Bet Option
1. AntePlace your BetPair Plus Side Bet
2. Deal 3 cards are dealt to player and 3 to dealerFind out if you won Pair Plus bet
3. Stay or FoldDetermine which is the smartest move based on your cards. (If you fold, you lose your bet here.)
4. RevealDealer shows cards.
5. Win or Weep!Strongest hand wins. Possible push if you tie.6 Card Bonus pays out if the two hands make a win.

Best Casinos for Three Card Poker

Find the best payouts and most advantageous betting options online in New Jersey or Pennsylvania!

Low minimum bets and lowest house edges with Live Dealer Three Card Poker at Golden Nugget!


  • $250 First Deposit Bonus
  • 1x Wagering Requirement
  • Available in NJ and PA

Play 3-Card Poker with the Best Bonus Available at SugarHouse

Sign-up at SugarHouse to find the best bonus available for 3-Card Poker! Their $250 first deposit bonus comes with an unbeatable 1x wagering requirement and all bonus funds can be used on any game!


  • RTP = 97.99%
  • Live and RNG variations available
  • Available in NJ and PA

Find the 3-Card Poker Games with the Highest RTP at BetMGM

Beat the House Edge in Three Card Poker at BetMGM! You’ll find the best poker tables with the highest RTP available right here.


  • $1,000 First Deposit Bonus
  • Live and RNG variations available
  • Available in New Jersey

Play Live 3-Card Poker at Golden Nugget NJ

Golden Nugget offers a live dealer variation of 3-card poker at their New Jersey casino. Sign-up and find your $1,000 matching deposit bonus today.


Additional rules

What if the dealer’s hand doesn’t qualify? This occurs if the dealer’s hand does not have at least a queen or higher.

When this occurs, the dealer will automatically pay each player who stayed in the game (i.e. wagered on the Play) even money on the Ante wager and return the Play wager to the player (it’s a push).

Bonus Payout Schedule

Players who make an Ante wager are also eligible for a bonus payout that will be paid regardless of whether the dealer qualifies or whether your hand beats the dealer’s hand.

The latter point is not trivial. Many players are turned off to Caribbean Stud Poker because if the dealer doesn’t qualify they get nothing for having a premium hand. This is not the case with Three Card Poker.

If you have a straight, three-of-a-kind or a straight flush you will automatically be paid a bonus according to the following schedule:

Ante Bonus

Hand

Payout

Likelihood

Straight Flush

5 to 1

0.22%

Three-of-a-Kind

4 to 1

0.24%

Straight

1 to 1


3.26%

Pair Plus Side Bet

If you don’t want to compete against the dealer’s hand, your other betting option is to wager on the Pair Plus. You win if your three-card hand contains at least a pair or higher.

The higher the poker rank, the greater the payout. You lose the Pair Plus bet if you end up with less than a pair. A typical payout schedule for Pair Plus is:

Pair Plus Payouts

Hand

Payout

Straight Flush

40 to 1

Three -of-a-Kind

30 to 1

Straight

6 to 1

Flush

3 to 1

Pair

1 to 1

As mentioned earlier you could wager on both the Ante and Pair Plus from the get-go (in fact in some gaming jurisdictions, you must wager on both). If you play both, you can bet different amounts.

However, keep in mind this rule. If you decide to fold your hand, you would not only lose your Ante wager but also your Pair Plus wager if you made it as well.

That seems like a bummer but actually it’s not because if you had a pair or higher and thus eligible for the Pair Plus payout you should not fold these hands.

6 Card Bonus

As a kind of super-side bet, online casinos are offering the 6 card bonus. The payouts speak for themselves:

HandPayout Where to play
Royal Flush1000:1BetMGM
Straight Flush200:1Golden Nugget
Four of a Kind50:1PartyCasino
Full House25:1Hard Rock
Flush20:1888
Straight10:1Borgata
Get the biggest payouts with online poker.

Of course your odds go down with side bets, but not as tremendously as you might fear.

Here’s your theoretical Return to Player percentage for all three options when you play online:

  • Ante bet: 96.63%
  • Pair Plus bet: 95.51%
  • 6 Card Bonus bet: 91.44%

Best Strategy for Three Card Poker

The only playing decision involved in Three Card Poker is whether or not to make the Play wager or to fold.

A simple basic playing strategy is to just mimic the dealer. That is make the Play wager if your hand contains a queen or higher, otherwise fold.

Stanley Ko in his excellent booklet Mastering the Game of Three Card Poker mathematically computed a more optimum playing strategy. He recommends making the Play wager only if you hold a Queen-6-4 hand or better. Since it’s not that difficult to memorize Q-6-4, I’d suggest using Ko’s optimized strategy.

The casino’s edge for the Pair Plus is 7.27%, and for the Ante wager it’s 3.37% based on the initial bet. (But, again, odds are better online…see the section above.)

Note: Some land-based casinos pay 4-1 for the flush on the Pair Plus and the house edge is lowered to 2.32%. 

Compared to the similar Caribbean Stud Poker and Let it Ride poker games, Three Card Poker is a better gamble.


Golden Nugget‘s online Three Card Poker!
Bet as little as 10 cents!
Live Dealers available 24/7 at Golden Nugget.
Can’t beat that RTP: only 2.46% house edge!

About the Author

Henry Tamburin has been a respected casino gambling writer for the past 50 years. He is the author of 888’s Ultimate Blackjack Strategy Guide and was editor of the Blackjack Insider newsletter. You can get free bonus money just for registering with 888 online casino.