Three Card Poker by Evolution Gaming offers a fast-paced, exciting variation of traditional poker. Designed to be easy to learn yet rich in strategic opportunities, the game challenges players to beat the dealer by forming a better three-card hand. With the option to place side bets such as Pair Plus and 6 Card Bonus, the game offers additional chances for big payouts, making it a dynamic experience for both new and seasoned players.
In Three Card Poker, players are dealt three cards, while the dealer receives their hand face-down. To participate, players place an Ante bet, and they can choose to place additional bets on Pair Plus and 6 Card Bonus. The primary objective is simple—form a hand stronger than the dealer’s. However, strategic decisions, like whether to place a Play bet or fold, can significantly impact the outcome. With the dealer needing at least a Queen-high hand to qualify, Three Card Poker also incorporates elements of classic poker hands such as straights, flushes, and three of a kinds, adding depth and excitement to every round.
The game is played with one standard deck of 52 cards, and it features several distinct hand rankings, each with its own payout potential. For players looking to boost their odds, the 6 Card Bonus bet combines the player’s three cards with the dealer’s to create a five-card poker hand, offering even higher payouts for hands like Royal Flush and Four of a Kind. With its combination of simplicity and variety, Three Card Poker by Evolution Gaming delivers an engaging casino experience, whether you’re playing casually or aiming for big wins.
In Three Card Poker, the first step to engaging in the game is placing your bets. There are three types of bets you can make:
After placing your bets, the dealer will deal three cards to each player, including themselves. The dealer’s cards are kept face-down, meaning you can only see your own hand while making decisions.
Once you have your cards, you need to decide whether to continue the round or fold:
After the decision is made, the dealer will reveal their cards, and the winner will be determined based on the hand rankings.
In Three Card Poker, the outcome of each hand is determined by the strength of the player’s hand compared to the dealer’s. Here’s a breakdown of the hand rankings, from highest to lowest, and the associated payouts for both the Ante and optional bets:
If you place an Ante bet and win, the payout is 1:1 unless you win with a special hand that qualifies for an Ante Bonus. Here are the qualifying hands for the Ante Bonus payout:
The Pair Plus bet pays out based on the strength of your three-card hand, independent of the dealer’s hand. The payout structure is as follows:
The 6 Card Bonus bet is based on the best possible five-card hand made from your three cards plus the dealer’s three cards. The payout structure for this bet is:
Here are the hand rankings for Three Card Poker, starting from the highest:
The dealer must have at least a Queen-high hand to qualify. If the dealer’s hand does not meet this qualification, the player wins the Ante bet automatically, but the Play bet is not considered. If the dealer qualifies, the hands are compared, and the winner is determined based on the hand rankings.
The RTP (Return to Player) percentages for various bets are as follows:
These RTP figures indicate the expected return to the player over the long run for each type of wager, with the Ante bet being the most favorable for players.
The minimum and maximum betting limits for the game can vary based on the specific table you’re playing at. The typical bet limits at the table can range from:
To maximize your chances of winning in Three Card Poker, following an optimal strategy is important. The basic strategy is centered around deciding when to play your hand and when to fold. Here is a breakdown of the recommended strategy for the Ante and Play bets, which will help guide your decisions during gameplay.
The primary decision in Three Card Poker is whether to place a Play bet (equal to your Ante bet) or Fold. The following table provides the optimal strategy for when to play based on your hand strength:
| Hand | Action |
|---|---|
| Queen, 6, 4 or higher | Play |
| Any Pair | Play |
| King or higher | Play |
| Any Straight or Straight Flush | Play |
| Anything Lower (e.g., 7, 5, 2) | Fold |
Explanation:
The dealer must have at least a Queen-high hand to qualify. If the dealer does not qualify, you win the Ante bet automatically, but the Play bet will be returned (a "push"). The following table summarizes the outcome based on the dealer’s qualification:
| Dealer’s Qualification | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Dealer does not qualify | Player wins Ante (1:1) |
| Dealer qualifies and wins | Player loses Ante and Play bets |
| Dealer qualifies and ties | Push (no win or loss) |
| Dealer qualifies and player wins | Player wins Ante and Play bets (1:1) |
While the Pair Plus bet does not rely on the dealer’s hand, it’s essential to know which hands can lead to big payouts. The following table summarizes the payouts based on your hand:
| Hand | Pair Plus 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 |
Explanation:
The 6 Card Bonus Bet uses your three cards along with the dealer's three cards to create a five-card poker hand. Here's the payout table for the 6 Card Bonus:
| Hand | 6 Card Bonus 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 |
Explanation:
By following this basic strategy, you can improve your odds of winning in Three Card Poker while maximizing the potential of side bets. Be sure to adjust your play according to the specific situation, as experience will help refine your decision-making in the game.
While Three Card Poker by Evolution Gaming offers an exciting and fast-paced experience with a variety of betting options, many players may find that Casino Hold’em provides a more straightforward and rewarding gameplay experience, especially when considering the Return to Player (RTP) and ease of play.
In Casino Hold’em, the RTP is generally higher compared to Three Card Poker. With an optimal strategy, the RTP for Casino Hold'em can be upwards of 99.5% for the Ante bet, making it one of the more favorable poker variations available. In contrast, Three Card Poker's RTP for the Ante bet is around 96.63%, which is noticeably lower, especially for those focusing on maximizing their returns.
Additionally, the gameplay in Casino Hold’em is simpler and more intuitive for players who are familiar with traditional Texas Hold'em poker. It requires fewer decisions, as you’re primarily focused on your hand and the community cards rather than managing multiple side bets or deciding when to place a Play bet. For those seeking a more traditional poker experience with straightforward rules and better odds, Casino Hold'em is a great choice.
While Three Card Poker can offer a unique, fast-paced twist on traditional poker and the potential for big payouts with side bets, the simpler gameplay and better RTP in Casino Hold'em make it a better option for many players looking for consistent, high-value poker action.