Three card poker is a popular game because it has all the qualities of a good game; it’s not stressful, it’s fun, easy to play, and it places some control in the players’ hands. The straightforward nature of the game makes a few strategies applicable if you want to improve your chances of winning. Keep in mind that three card poker consists of two games in one; pair plus and ante.
Before we look at the strategies, it is important to understand the differences in payouts for both versions of the game.
- Pair 1:1
- Flush 4:1
- Straight 6:1
- Three of a Kind 30:1
- Straight Flush 40:1
- Ante-Play payouts are:
- Straight 1:1
- Three of a Kind 4:1
- Straight Flush 5:1
- Strategy for Pair Plus
In pair plus, the player decides how much he will wager, and that’s the extent of his involvement in the game. There’s nothing else the player can influence and therefore there’s nothing to strategize about. It helps to know that the house edge is low on pair plus, so one might consider the choice to play this game a strategy within itself. House rules and payouts for the game are outlined on or near the table, so read them before you begin play. The aforementioned payouts are optimal payouts, so the casino you choose to play at should come as close to that as possible.
Strategy for Ante Play
The real strategies for three card poker come into play with Ante Play. It all starts with the betting round where you can raise or fold after you’ve examined your three cards. Just like when playing agen bola, you need to be strategic. There are two factors that will influence your decision:
- The dealers chances of qualifying
- Your chances of beating his hand if he qualifies.
The dealer must have a minimum of a queen high in order to qualify. This makes it easy to determine a good strategy for three card poker:
With a Queen-6-4 hand, you should stay in the game and bet. If you don’t, then fold. It’s that simple.
Implementing the Three Card Strategy
So far, you’ll see that the strategy is quite simple and only depends on the cards you have in your hand. You’ll have to remember the Q-6-4 order to decide whether or not to bet. It means you’ll have to consider if your hand is high enough to place that bet. With queen as your highest card, you’ll have to look at the next highest card. If the card is higher than a six you can play the hand no matter what the third card is. Apply the same logic to the third card in the hand. With anything else, you must fold.
If you have a king, it means that the highest card is higher than a queen, so there’s no need to bother with the value of the other two cards – even if they’re lower than 6-4. If the card were a Jack, then you won’t play because the highest card is lower than a queen.
Unfortunately, you cannot make the same move if you have a queen as your highest card. For example, if you are dealt a Q-5-3 you’ll have to take the second card into consideration. Since that card is lower than a six, you’ll have to pass on the play.
It is important to understand fully the rules of the game and practice with lots of free play. When you do, the game will become almost second nature to you. Get familiar with the pay table as well as the pair plus and ante play aspects of the game.
Always have a top dollar amount that you’re willing to play in three card poker. This will ensure, not only that you don’t give up at your first loss, but that you don’t spend more than you planned to spend. It is a good strategy to play conservatively. Walk away from the table – or computer – if you’re on a losing streak. Even thirty minutes away could put things in perspective.
Although you should have some type of “top dollar” amount (money you’re willing to part with) in mind when playing 3 card poker or any game of chance for that matter – too many times a player who is new to a game will not give it a real chance if he or she loses a hand or two from the get-go. The only way to get that lost money back is to use a better, more effective strategy and take it back by winning. With your mind refreshed, you can jump back in.