How To Play

You make an Ante bet (and optionally a Pair Plus side bet). You and the dealer each receive three cards. After looking at yours, you either fold (losing the Ante) or make a Play bet equal to the Ante. The dealer needs Queen-high or better to qualify. If they do not, Ante pays even money and Play pushes.

House Edge

• Ante/Play: 3.37% (element of risk: 2.01% per unit wagered)
• Pair Plus side bet: 2.32%-7.28% depending on paytable
• 6 Card Bonus: 8.5%+

The standard Pair Plus paytable (1-4-6-30-40) is 2.32%. Avoid reduced paytables that drop the straight flush payout.

Basic Strategy

• Play any hand of Q-6-4 or better. Fold everything weaker.
• That is the entire strategy - one rule replaces a chart.
• Skip the 6 Card Bonus side bet at most paytables.
• Pair Plus is acceptable entertainment if you find the full paytable, but it has nothing to do with your main hand decision.

Common Mistakes

Folding any hand below a pair - you give up too many marginal winners. Playing every hand because "the dealer might not qualify." Confusing Three Card Poker rankings: a straight beats a flush here because three-card straights are harder to make than three-card flushes.

Example Hand

You hold Q♠ 7♦ 2♣. This beats Q-6-4, so make the Play bet. Even though it feels weak, fold-equity math favors playing. You hold J♠ 10♣ 9♦ - one rank short. Fold it.

Hand Rankings (high to low)

1. Straight Flush
2. Three of a Kind
3. Straight
4. Flush
5. Pair
6. High Card

Bottom Line

Three Card Poker is fast, social, and easy to learn. The Q-6-4 rule is one of the simplest optimal strategies in the casino. Treat the Pair Plus as a tip to the dealer rather than a profit center, and stop before chasing losses.