Understanding Online Casino Tri Card Poker

• Published: October 30, 2014
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Most online casino software providers include a poker game played with three cards. It offers the excitement of regular five cards casino poker games but runs much faster. The game is called by various names such as Three Card Poker or Tri Card Poker. The version described in this article is based on the product of Realtime Gaming.

You first place the Ante bet. You can also place the Pair+ bet, if you so desire. Your three cards will be dealt face up, while the dealer’s three cards will be dealt face down. If you then fold, you will lose your Ante bet and the game will end. If you raise, then you place a Raise bet equal to the Ante bet and the dealer’s hand is exposed.

The outcome depends on whether or not the dealer has qualified. The dealer needs a queen high or better to qualify. If the dealer has not qualified then you win even money on the Ante bet and the Raise bet pushes. If the dealer has qualified, then the hands are compared. The Tri Card Poker hand rankings in descending order are as follows: Straight Flush, Three of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Pair and High Card. If your hand is higher ranked then you will be paid even money for the Ante and the Raise bets. If the dealer’s hand is higher ranked then you will lose both bets. If the hands are of the same rank then both bets will push.

You can receive an Ante Bonus based on your dealt hand irrespective of whether you win or lose. A Straight pays even money on the Ante bet. Three of a Kind pays 3 to 1 and Straight Flush pays 4 to 1. If you have placed the Pair+ bet you may be eligible for further payouts. Again, these are based on your dealt hand. Pair pays even money, Flush pays 4 to 1, Straight pays 6 to 1, Three of a Kind pays 25 to 1 and Straight Flush pays 40 to 1.

In the Realtime Gaming version of Tri Card Poker, the Pair+ bet offers a house edge of 3.5%. It is a call that you have to make. Keep in mind that most online slots offer a house edge of 5%. The crucial decision is when to fold and when to raise. If you have the dealer’s qualifying hand of queen high or better then you should raise, otherwise you should fold.