Bally Bet’s Guide to Playing 3 Card Poker
Bally Bet’s Guide to Playing 3 Card Poker
If you’ve ever wanted to dive into the world of online poker, 3 Card Poker could be your best bet. It’s fast, straightforward, and one of the best poker games for beginners around - without compromising on the thrill that makes poker so awesome.
And, good news, buds. At Bally Bet, we’ve got the ultimate guide to playing 3 Card Poker online, so you can learn everything you need to know about the gateway into the epic world of online poker right here. We’re talking rules of the game, playing tips, and more.
Go on, keep reading to see for yourself.
What is 3 Card Poker?
First brought to the table in 1994, 3 Card Poker takes all the best parts of classic live poker games – the suspense, strategy and competition – and streamlines them into something faster and simpler.
See, unlike traditional Texas Hold’em poker or Omaha poker where you play against other players, 3 Card Poker sees you go head-to-head against the dealer only.
The aim of 3 Card Poker is simple: build the strongest three-card hand you can or hope the dealer folds before you do. That’s it. Forget hole cards and community cards. It's just your three cards versus the dealer's.
By only playing against the casino’s live dealer, there are no live tells or trying to figure out your opponent’s strategies in 3 Card Poker, making this a super straightforward poker game to play.
Because 3 Card Poker is easy to understand and quick to play, it’s often a popular choice for live casino game players looking to break into poker for the first time. If you’ve ever wanted to learn poker, but found the thought of playing against other poker players intimidating, this is your way in.
How to play 3 Card Poker online
When you sit down to play 3 Card Poker at an online casino site like Bally Bet, the game kicks off with a single bet called the Ante. This is your entry into the round. Once you place your bet, both you and the dealer receive three cards face down.
Now’s the time to decide whether you want to keep playing or fold. Choosing to fold will forfeit your Ante bet, but it could save you money in the long run by cutting a poor game short.
Think you can beat the poker dealer? Then you can choose to raise the game by placing a Play bet that’s equal to your Ante. Here’s where the game gets exciting. The dealer turns over their cards to reveal if their hand is at least Queen-high to qualify. If they don’t qualify, then congrats, bud! You’ll win even money on your Ante bet and your Play bet will be returned.
If the dealer does qualify, though, your hand will be compared to theirs – and the strongest one will win.
3 Card Poker hand rankings
Brushing up on how poker hands work is key to understanding how to play 3 Card Poker. Since the aim of the game is to have a better hand than the dealer, your hand is your ticket to hitting the poker jackpot.
In 3 Card Poker, the hand rankings are familiar but different from classic poker. See, with only three cards in play, hands such as the Royal Flush aren’t possible. Check out the hands you can create, from best to bluff-worthy, below:
- Mini Royal: A suited Ace, King and Queen
- Straight Flush: Three consecutive cards of the same suit
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same value
- Straight: Three consecutive cards of any suit
- Flush: Three cards of the same suit
- Pair: Two cards of the same value
- High Card: The highest single card in your hand
If you and the dealer have hands of the same type, the one that includes the card of highest value wins (e.g. three Kings beats three Queens; a flush of Q, J, 10 beats a flush of 10, 9, 8). The individual cards are ranked in descending order: Ace (high or low), King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2.
When you and the dealer tie, the next highest card that is not part of the paying hand, known as the ‘Kicker', determines the winner.
Bonus bets and side action
Want to raise your game? We got you. Play live 3 Card poker online at Bally Bet and you’ll find thrilling side bets to choose from.
Available once you’ve placed your Ante bet, the Pair Plus and 6 Card Bonus bets are thrilling ways to add even more ways to turn a hand into cash.
The Pair Plus side bet pays out whenever you land a Pair or better — even if the dealer wins the round or you fold. It’s an awesome option for players looking for some cover.
Meanwhile, the 6 Card Bonus really shakes the game up by tapping into traditional poker hand rules. By adding your three cards to the dealer’s hand, you can make a five-card poker hand similar to classic poker rules. Form a five-card poker hand of Three of a Kind or better and you’ll land a win, even if you fold and the dealer wins.
Here are the hands available – ranked from best to worst – when you go for a 6 Card Bonus poker side bet:
- Royal Flush: A straight flush involving the Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10 all in the same suit
- Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards from the same suit, for example: Nine, Eight, Seven, Six and Five, all Hearts
- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same value, plus any other card. For example, four Aces in your hand would be Four of a Kind. Quads with higher ranking cards defeat lower ranking ones.
- Full House: Three cards of one value, plus two cards of another value, e.g. three Kings and two Sixes. Between two full houses, the one with the higher ranking three cards wins.
- Flush: Five cards of the same suit, but not in a sequence, e.g. five cards that are all Clubs.
- Straight: Five consecutive cards of at least two different suits, e.g. Nine, Eight, Seven, Six and Five in two or more suits.
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same value, plus two other cards. For example, a player having three Kings in their hand would have Three of a Kind.
Side bets aren’t the only way to add more thrills to your next poker night. With 3 Card Poker, you can join up to four different tables simultaneously for the ultimate test of your skills.
Once you’ve joined a 3 Card Poker live table, click on Live Games Menu to swing by the lobby and choose another table to join. The more tables you join, the more chances you have of scoring the poker prize pool.
Don’t sweat it if you’re not doing so well at a particular table. You can exit any table without affecting your presence at other tables that you’ve joined. Just hit the X button to leave the table.
3 Card Poker payouts
Now you know how the game works, lets talk payouts. After all, part of the thrill of playing poker online is the chance to score some bucks!
Ante Bet
Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Straight Flush | 5:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 4:1 |
| Straight | 1:1 |
Pair Plus Bet
Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Mini Royal (AKQ suited) | 100:1 |
| Straight Flush | 40:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 30:1 |
| Straight | 5:1 |
| Flush | 4:1 |
| Pair | 1:1 |
6 Card Bonus Bet
Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 1000:1 |
| Straight Flush | 200:1 |
| Four of a Kind | 100:1 |
| Full House | 20:1 |
| Flush | 15:1 |
| Straight | 10:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 7:1 |
Tips for new players
With over 20 casinos around the world delivering epic poker entertainment to thousands of players, you can bet we’ve got some poker tips to share with you.
Try your hand at 3 Card Poker strategies
3 Card Poker may be a simplified version of traditional poker, but it’s a strategy-based casino table game, which means you’ll still have the chance to flex some strategic skills.
The simplest strategy for 3 Card Poker? Only stay in the game when you have Queen-Six-Four or higher. That’s the statistically smart move most experienced players follow. Beyond that, focus on learning the rhythm of the game — when to play, when to fold, and how to manage your bets.
Manage your casino bankroll
A classic tip for all live dealer games: Managing your casino bankroll carefully is your best bet to keeping the fun going. Set a budget for your poker session and stick to it.
Learn the rules
Don't rush into the deep end before you understand all the rules. Learning what the different poker hands and poker terminology means can help you make smarter bets in your game. Take a look at our full How to Play Poker Online guide for deeper strategy tips and insights into other casino poker favourites.
Keep it fun
It doesn’t matter if you’re new to town or a seasoned poker player. Remember 3 Card Poker is designed for fun, not frustration. So, if you feel like you're not having fun anymore, then it might be time to quit.
Why Bally Bet is your ultimate destination for 3 Card Poker
At Bally Bet, we know how to deal excitement. We’ve been in the business of entertainment since 1932, from Chicago pinball to Vegas casinos. That heritage shapes everything we do - from the quality of our games to the service we deliver.
Our live casino brings the best of our heritage to your fingertips, and that includes our 3 Card Poker tables. Pull up a seat and expect top-tier technology, professional live dealers, and crystal-clear HD streaming – all designed to deliver the authentic poker table experience wherever you are.
But we don’t stop at classic poker experiences. Nuh-uh. Join Bally Bet and you’ll find plenty more poker thrills to go around. We’re talking real money cash games poker, high-stakes Texas Hold’em poker tournaments, and thrilling poker casino bonus promotions designed to raise the game.
It’s poker, the Bally way. Just sign up to see for yourself.
FAQs about playing 3 Card Poker online
Is 3 Card Poker easy to learn?
You bet it is. 3 Card Poker is one of the best poker games for beginners. With just three cards and simple betting rounds, it can be quicker and easier to learn than traditional poker games, but it’s still packed with real casino excitement.
How do I win 3 Card Poker online?
Winning is all about forming a stronger hand than the dealer. You’ll start by placing an Ante bet and can choose to Play if your hand looks strong. Hands are ranked from high card to straight flush, with bonus payouts for top combinations.
Can I play 3 Card Poker on mobile?
You sure can. With the Bally Bet mobile casino app, you can play 3 Card Poker online anywhere. The same live dealer action, real payouts, and thrilling gameplay are all available on your phone or tablet.
What’s the difference between online poker and live poker online?
Online poker often uses automated software and random number generators to ensure the game isn't rigged, while live poker online features a real dealer streamed in real time. At Bally Bet, live 3 Card Poker combines both worlds: classic poker gameplay with the energy of a real casino.
Are there any strategies for 3 Card Poker?
While luck plays a big part, a smart strategy is to Play when your hand is Queen-6-4 or higher and fold when it’s weaker. It’s a solid rule of thumb for players learning how to play 3 Card Poker and want to play smartly without overthinking every hand.
Read more how-to-play guides over at the Bally Bet casino blog, where you'll find playing tips and insights for all the best online casino games in town.
All offers mentioned correct at the time of writing, but may be subject to change.