Tri-Card Poker
Tri-Card Poker Games
Tri-Card Poker, which is also called Three Card Poker, is relatively new in terms of most casino games. It was developed in the 1990’s but has quickly spread the world over and become one of the most popular games in land-based and online casinos alike.
It can be played at just about every online casino. However, some are better than others of course. We highly recommend the Tri-Card Poker games at PartyCasino.
There are actually two different games involved in Three Card Poker. There is a Pair Plus game and an Ante Play game. The Pair Plus game is pretty simple. Just make your bet in the Pair Plus betting circle and you will win if you make a pair or better.
The payouts are set according to the hand you make. Pairs are paid 1 to 1, a Flush is paid 4 to 1, Straights are paid 6 to 1, Three of a Kind is paid 30 to 1 and a Straight Flush is paid 40 to 1. Note that in Tri-Card Poker, a Straight is a better hand than a Flush.
Tri-Card Poker Ante Play game is played against the dealer. The player must put in the ante, then both the player and dealer are dealt three cards, the player’s face up, the dealer’s face down. The player then has the choice to fold his hand and lose the ante bet or to raise and see the dealer’s cards.
The dealer’s hand must qualify with Queen high or better in order to pay the Play bet, otherwise, he will only pay the ante bet at 1 to 1 and the Play bet is a push. If the dealer qualifies with Queen high or better, then the best three card poker hand wins.
If the dealer’s hand is best, then he takes both the ante and play bet. If the player’s hand is best then he wins even money on both the ante and play bets.
If the player bet the ante and is dealt a Straight or better, he is paid an ante bonus, regardless of the dealer’s hand. A Straight is paid 1 to 1 on the ante, Three of a Kind is paid 2 to 1 and a Straight Flush is paid 3 to 1.
There is little strategy involved in the Pair Plus game, as there is one bet and no additional decisions to be made. This is a good way for many people to start playing the game, since you can get a feel for the hands that are made and learn the rules Tri-Card Poker.
The most accepted strategy for playing optimal Tri-Card Poker if playing the Ante Play game is to raise any Queen, 6, 4 or better. This is one of the simplest strategies to learn and implement, as this is the only rule.
The only tricky part is making sure you know what is “better” than Queen, 6, 4. Any hand with a King or an Ace is better, regardless of the other 2 cards. If you hold a Queen and any one card better than 5 (6 or better), then raise. Finally, if you have a Queen and a 6, then if the third card is a 2 or 3, fold. If it is a 4 or greater, then raise. That’s it – simple!
By playing the optimal strategy, you lower the house’s edge to just under 3.5%. This is still a somewhat high advantage to the house, but to be honest, Tri-Card Poker is such a fun game that for most people it does not make that much difference.
If you have never tried Tri-Card Poker, it is definitely worth some play. Also, for most casinos, it is allowed to clear your bonus (check your bonus terms), so it can make a great change-up from playing slots.