Rules of 3 Card Hold’em

Three Card Hold’em is a table poker version of Texas Hold’em but in a simplified manner. The object of the game is to make the best three-card poker hand using your two hole cards and three community cards. Any combination of cards is accepted, meaning you can even play the board.

Prior to receiving cards, you must place an ante bet. You can also opt to play side bets. The side bets at most tables are Pair or Suited and the Straight or Better bets. We will cover those side bets later. For now, we will focus on the main game.

After you place your ante, click the Deal button. This will deal hole cards for both you and the dealer. Also, the first community card is exposed. This is equivalent to the flop in traditional Hold’em. You’ll make your first decision here. You can opt to bet or fold.

If you opt to play your hand, a bet equal to your ante will be placed. Afterward, the second community card, or turn, will be dealt. Now, you can opt to bet or check. If you check, you will see the last card for free.

When you bet the turn, the last community card, or river, will be shown. At this point, the game will announce your hand. Next, the dealer’s hand will show and their hand announced. Like in 3 Card Poker, the dealer must qualify. To qualify, the dealer must have a pair of fours or better.

If the dealer does not qualify and you win, your turn and river bets pay 1 to 1 and the Ante pushes. If the dealer qualifies and you win, all three bets pay 1 to 1.

Side Bet Payouts

There are two side bets you can place. These bets are exclusive to the main game. If a side bet wins, it will be paid out even if the dealer wins the hand.

The first bet is Pair or Suited. This will pay off if your hole cards are either a pair or if they are suited. Here are the payouts for the Pair or Suited side bet:

1. AK of Spades – 50 to 1

2. AK Suited – 30 to 1

3. Aces – 20 to 1

4. Kings – 9 to 1

5. All Other Pairs – 4 to 1

6. Suited Cards – 1 to 1

The other side bet is Straight or Better. For this bet, you must have a straight or better to win. Note that a straight is higher than a flush in this game, so this bet does not pay off on a flush unless it is a straight flush or Royal Flush (AKQ suited). Here’s the paytable for the Straight or Better side bet:

1. Three Card Royal Plus a Pair – 100 to 1

2. Three Card Royal – 25 to 1

3. Straight Flush – 6 to 1

4. 3 of a Kind – 4 to 1

5. Straight – 2 to 1

Both of these bets have a high house edge but if you must play a side bet, the Pair or Suited has better odds and will hit much more frequently.

3 Card Hold’em Strategy

If you want to improve your odds of winning at 3 Card Hold’em or other poker table games you need a basic strategy. In this game, you need to know when it is a good idea to play your hand and when to fold. Here’s a good strategy for when to Play your hand on the flop:

1. Any Pair

2. At least one card 10 or higher in your hole cards

3. Two Cards to a straight or flush.

On all other hands, you want to fold. On the turn bet, you want to bet any pair and any draw. If you do not have a draw or a pair, go ahead and check.

Three Card Hold’em is a fun and easy version of table poker you can find at many real money online casinos. With stakes ranging from .10 to $100 per bet, it can be enjoyed by all players.