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House-Banked Poker

3 Card Poker Casinos

Three cards against the dealer. The Q-6-4 raise rule is the only strategy you need to remember.

384 US venues offer 3 card poker.

House Edge
3.37% Ante and Play
RTP
~96.63%
Typical Min Bet
$5 to $10
Pace
Fast
Category
House-Banked Poker
Beginner-friendly

Stake.us

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Availability
31 states
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Casino Directory

Where to play 3 Card Poker in the US

Showing 12 of 384 venues

Three Card Poker is a fast house-banked poker game played against the dealer with three cards. You receive three cards and decide to fold or raise with a Play bet equal to your Ante. The optimal strategy is simple: play any hand of Queen-Six-Four or better and fold everything weaker. This single rule keeps the house edge near 3.37 percent of the Ante. An optional Pair Plus side bet pays on the strength of your own hand regardless of the dealer outcome, adding extra action to every hand. You'll find live tables at most major properties. See our full US casino directory for venue contact details and hours.

Three Card Poker is the fastest house-banked poker game and one of the easiest to learn. The Q-6-4 rule is the only strategy you need, and the Pair Plus side bet gives you a reason to play marginal hands that would otherwise be folds. The game is widely available and almost always has an open seat. Compared to Four Card Poker, Three Card is faster with a slightly higher house edge. Compared to Mississippi Stud, Three Card is simpler with fewer decision points and lower stakes.

How to play 3 Card Poker

  1. Place an Ante bet to play against the dealer. You can also place an optional Pair Plus bet that pays purely on your hand.

  2. You receive three cards face up. There is no drawing or replacement.

  3. Decide to fold (lose your Ante) or raise with a Play bet equal to your Ante.

  4. The dealer reveals three cards. The dealer needs Queen high or better to qualify.

  5. If the dealer does not qualify, the Play bet pushes and the Ante pays even money. If the dealer qualifies, both bets are compared.

  6. Ante bonuses pay on a straight or better regardless of the dealer outcome.

Three Card Poker Rules and Payouts

Three Card Poker is dealt from a standard 52-card deck. You receive three cards and the dealer receives three. The dealer qualifies with Queen high or better. If the dealer does not qualify, the Ante pays 1:1 and the Play pushes. If the dealer qualifies, the higher hand wins. The Ante bonus pays on a straight (1:1), three of a kind (4:1), and a straight flush (5:1). Some paytables offer higher ante bonuses. The Pair Plus bet pays starting at a pair (1:1), flush (4:1), straight (6:1), three of a kind (30:1), and straight flush (40:1). Paytables vary between casinos.

The house edge on the Ante and Play bets is roughly 3.37 percent with optimal strategy. The Pair Plus edge ranges from roughly 2.3 percent (best paytables) to over 7 percent (worst). The best Pair Plus paytables offer a flush at 4:1 and a straight at 6:1. Lower payouts increase the edge significantly.

  • What is the Q-6-4 rule in Three Card Poker?

    Play any hand of Queen-Six-Four or better. Fold everything weaker. This rule keeps the house edge near 3.37 percent of the Ante. A hand is Q-6-4 or better if it contains a Queen with a 6 or better as the second card and a 4 or better as the third.

Editorial Strategy

Strategy & etiquette for 3 Card Poker

  • Play any hand of Queen-Six-Four or better. Fold everything weaker. This is the single most important rule.

  • The ante bonus pays even when you lose the main hand. A straight or better always pays something.

  • Pair Plus is a fun side bet but carries a higher edge, often above 7 percent depending on the pay table.

  • Check the Pair Plus paytable before sitting. Some casinos pay more for a flush and straight than others.

  • The Q-6-4 rule is easy to remember: Queen or better, and if you have a Queen, your second card must be a 6 or better, and your third card must be a 4 or better.

Where to play in the US

Top land-based casinos to play 3 Card Poker

Editorial picks for visitors who want a real-floor 3 Card Poker session. Ranked by directory depth (table counts, amenities, and floor quality). Tap any card for the full property review.

  1. #1Casinos
    Editor's pick
    Foxwoods Resort Casino — nashantucket

    Foxwoods Resort Casino

    Nashantucket, Connecticut

    4,800 slots · 380 tables · 147 poker tables · 24/7

    Selection100
    Value67
    Experience100

    Games available

    • 3 Card Poker
    • Baccarat
    • Bingo

    Property

    • Bar
    • Open 24 7
    • Restaurant
    Rate for 3 Card Poker0 votes

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  2. #2Casinos
    Mohegan Sun — uncasville

    Mohegan Sun

    Uncasville, Connecticut

    5,532 slots · 377 tables · 42 poker tables · 24/7

    Selection100
    Value70
    Experience100

    Games available

    • 3 Card Poker
    • Baccarat
    • Caribbean Stud Poker

    Property

    • Golf
    • Open 24 7
    • Pool
    Rate for 3 Card Poker0 votes

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  3. #3Casinos
    The Borgata — atlantic city

    The Borgata

    Atlantic City, New Jersey

    3,000 slots · 186 tables · 85 poker tables · 24/7

    Selection100
    Value68
    Experience100

    Games available

    • 3 Card Poker
    • Baccarat
    • Big 6

    Property

    • Bar
    • Open 24 7
    • Pool
    Rate for 3 Card Poker0 votes

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    Read review →

Rankings reflect directory data depth (floor counts, game variety, amenity tags) re-verified quarterly. They are not a substitute for current operating status; confirm hours and game spread directly with each casino before visiting.

Three Card Poker Strategy

The Q-6-4 rule is the complete strategy for the Ante and Play bets. Play any hand with a Queen or higher, a 6 or higher as the second card, and a 4 or higher as the third. Fold everything worse. The goal is to win more than 50 percent of hands with your raise threshold. The rule is forgiving enough that most hands worth playing are easy to spot: any pair, any face card with a decent kicker, any suited connector.

The Pair Plus bet is separate and has no strategy. You either bet it or you do not. The house edge is reasonable on the best paytables, so treat it as optional entertainment value. The ante bonus is the best hidden feature of Three Card Poker: a straight or better pays even when you lose to the dealer. For the version with a progressive jackpot, see our Progressive 3 Card Poker guide.

Common 3 Card Poker variants

Where to Play Three Card Poker

Three Card Poker is one of the most widely available house-banked poker games in the US. It is in the specialty pit at nearly every casino and typically has a lower minimum than other table games. The game is fast, so a $5 minimum table plays similarly to a $10 blackjack table in terms of money at risk per hour.

Before you sit, compare the Pair Plus paytable. Browse our US casino directory to find venues near you.

  • What is the house edge of the Pair Plus bet?

    The Pair Plus edge ranges from roughly 2.3 percent on the best paytables to over 7 percent on the worst. Compare paytables before playing.

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