3-Card Poker

The mathematically optimal strategy. Play any hand of Queen-6-4 or better, fold everything else.

How it works: If your highest card is a Queen, check your second card. If it's a 7 or higher, play. If it's a 6, check your third card—play with 4 or higher. If your high card is King or Ace, always play. Anything below Q-6-4? Fold and save your play bet.

Example: Q-7-2 = Play (Q with 7+ kicker) | Q-6-3 = Fold (below Q-6-4) | K-2-2 = Play (King high always plays)

Best for: Players who want to minimize the house edge to just 2.01% on the ante/play combination.

An easier-to-remember approach: play any Queen-high hand or better, fold the rest.

How it works: Don't worry about the 6-4 kicker details. Simply look at your highest card. If it's a Queen, King, or Ace, place your play bet. If your highest card is a Jack or lower, fold. You'll lose a tiny bit of edge compared to Q-6-4, but the simplicity is worth it.

Example: Q-3-2 = Play (Queen high) | J-10-9 = Fold (Jack high) | A-5-3 = Play (Ace high)

Best for: Casual players who want a simple rule that's nearly as effective as optimal strategy.

The Pair Plus bet pays based on your hand alone—no dealer comparison needed.

How it works: Pair Plus pays regardless of whether you beat the dealer. Payouts typically start at 1:1 for a pair and go up to 40:1 for a straight flush. The house edge is around 2.3-7.3% depending on the pay table, but the excitement of bonus payouts keeps players coming back.

Example: Pair = 1:1 | Flush = 4:1 | Straight = 6:1 | Three of a Kind = 30:1 | Straight Flush = 40:1

Best for: Players who enjoy bonus payouts and don't mind slightly higher house edge for bigger win potential.

The Ante Bonus pays automatically on premium hands—no extra bet required.

How it works: When you make a straight or better, you receive a bonus payout on your ante bet regardless of whether the dealer qualifies. This is built into the game, not a side bet. Straight pays 1:1, three of a kind pays 4:1, and straight flush pays 5:1 on most tables.

Example: You bet $10 ante, get a straight, dealer doesn't qualify. You win: $10 ante return + $10 ante bonus = $20

Best for: Understanding this helps you appreciate the value already built into the base game.

Structure your session to maximize playing time and enjoyment.

How it works: Since you'll fold about 33% of hands with optimal strategy, plan for that. Set aside 15-20 betting units for your session. Each hand costs 1 unit (ante) when you fold, or 2 units (ante + play) when you continue. This gives you plenty of hands to experience the game's swings.

Example: With $100 and $5 ante, you have 20 units. Expect 40-60 hands of entertainment over a few hours.

Best for: Anyone who wants to enjoy a full evening of 3-Card Poker without running short.