Three Card Poker the favorite poker game variant in Australia

The most recognized table games in casinos throughout the world are blackjack and roulette. But when it comes to poker-derived table games, there’s none more famous than Three Card Poker. It’s played in live casinos, online casinos, and even internet-based live dealer casinos.

In fact, Three Card Poker is the most popular poker-derived casino table game in the world. The rules are simple, the game is quick, and players can win a large amount of money. No wonder Australians love it so much!

Three Card Poker History

Before we get into how to play Three Card Poker, let’s take a brief look at the game’s history. It was first introduced in 1994 by Derek Webb, who established Prime Table Games to market it. First, he tried to get it installed at UK casinos. Regulators denied him, based on Three Card Poker’s rules, which violated then-current table game laws.

Webb was advised to try US casinos instead. He was turned down by several major gambling operations in Atlantic City, Las Vegas and Reno. Then he got a bite from Grand Casio Gulfport in Mississippi when the Vice President agreed to let him install the game, provided he personally taught the dealers how to play Three Card Poker.

Not only did he teach the dealers, he stood beside the tables for hours every day, encouraging players to join in and helping them learn to play as well. It was such a big success he eventually sold Prime Table Games to Shuffle Master in 1999, after which it quickly spread to casinos worldwide. The UK even moved to alter its regulations to allow the game at British casinos.

How To Play Three Card Poker

Three Card Poker is a favorite of casinos because it’s played so quickly, the house edge guarantees they’ll make a good profit over the long term. It’s a favorite for players because, between the base game and bonus side bet, it offers some very lucrative payouts.

The Deal: Before a game begins, each player is required to make an Ante bet. They can also place an optional Pair Plus Side Bet, if they wish. Using a standard 52-card deck, the dealer will then give three cards to each player, and himself.

Decision Time: Each player will look at their hand and decide whether to Fold, (forfeiting the Ante and Pair Plus Bet, if any) or continue with the and by placing a Play Bet, equal to the Ante.

Dealer Must Qualify: If a Play Bet is made, the dealer will reveal his hand and check to see if it qualifies. The dealer’s hand must qualify in order to be compared to the player’s hand. The dealer’s hand will only qualify if it contains at least a Queen high.

What Happens Next

Three Card Poker Rules: Pair Plus

The Pair Plus side bet is optional, and will pay different odds based on the player’s three card poker hand. The following is a standard Pair Plus pay table (may vary in some casinos).