Poker remains one of the most popular table games for visitors to Las Vegas. Many newcomers are surprised to discover that poker comes in several varieties — including Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and the fast-paced Three Card Poker. So, what makes Three Card Poker different, and how do you play it? In this 2025 guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of playing Three Card Poker in Las Vegas, whether you’re a first-timer or looking to sharpen your strategy.
Three Card Poker is a variation of stud poker that differs from popular formats like Texas Hold’em or Five Card Draw. The game offers several betting options and multiple ways to win, making it a straightforward and fast-paced choice for both new and experienced players.
Three Card Poker rules state that you can bet against the dealer, bet on the value of your own hand, or bet on both. Because the game uses only three cards, players need just three consecutive cards to make a straight. Unlike in Texas Hold’em, a straight actually ranks higher than a flush in this game. Betting against the dealer can also lead to bonus payouts depending on the strength of your hand. This differs from Texas Hold’em, where you compete against other players rather than the dealer.
When it comes to casino gaming in Las Vegas, you won’t have to look far to find a Three Card Poker table. Major resorts like The Venetian and Caesars Palace continue to offer the game, along with many smaller casinos across the city.
As for the best place to play, it really depends on your preferences — whether you enjoy the luxury atmosphere of the Strip or the more laid-back vibe of downtown. Exploring a few different casinos is the best way to find the setting that suits your style.
There are many ways to play poker offline, but we’d first point readers toward our list of offshore betting sites, which features some of the most trusted international gambling providers. There, you’ll find platforms offering casino games such as blackjack and video poker, along with detailed tips and recommendations in our guide.
For American bettors, there are now far more options than just offshore bookmakers. Since the 2018 repeal of PASPA, over 35 U.S. states — including Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Illinois — have legalized some form of sports betting, with several also permitting online casino games. In these regulated states, bettors can legally wager through licensed mobile apps and land-based casinos, while players in non-regulated states still often turn to trusted offshore sites for access to poker and casino games.
For those that are interested in online wagering, we’d advise taking a look at the likes of Bovada as one of the best offshore bookmakers around.
Now let’s take a look at how to play 3 card poker in Vegas or online, as this is the most important thing. Firstly, let’s take a look at the point of the game; which is to get a three-card poker hand with a value higher than the dealer.
Now we’ll briefly cover the ranks of hands in order. Let’s take a look at the rank of hands (Highest to Lowest):
In Three Card Poker, if two hands have the same ranking, the hand with the highest individual card wins. For example, a hand with a king will beat one with a nine.
Each player must make an ante wager (a mandatory initial bet to join the round) in order to take part in the game. There is also an optional side bet called Pairs Plus. Both the player and the dealer are then dealt three cards face down. The player must decide whether to fold (forfeit the ante) or play by placing an additional wager equal to the ante. Once all players have made their decisions, the dealer reveals their cards and settles the bets accordingly.
This is where payouts are made, so if the dealer has a higher value hand, the ANTE and play bets lose. If it’s a tie, then the bets are pushed. If the player has the higher value hand, then the player will be paid even money and the ante will be paid at even or at the odds matched to the strength of the hand.
Here we’ll briefly describe the various types of bets that can be made in three card poker.
Place an ante bet to play directly against the dealer. After viewing your three cards, you have two choices: fold and forfeit your ante, or play by placing an additional wager equal to the ante. If your hand beats the dealer’s hand and the dealer has at least a Queen high, you win both wagers. If the dealer’s hand does not qualify with a Queen high or better, your ante bet is paid even money. In the case of a tie, both bets push.
This wager is placed on the Pairs Plus area of the table, where you’re betting solely on the value of your own hand — not against the dealer. If your hand contains a pair or better, you win according to the posted payout table.
The third option is to bet on both your own hand and the dealer’s. To do this, place both a Pairs Plus wager and an ante wager. You’ll then be eligible for payouts based on your hand’s value and the outcome against the dealer. However, if you lose the main play wager, both the ante and Pairs Plus bets are forfeited — making this the riskiest option of the three.
Well, bettors have the choice of playing at one of the many casinos residing in Las Vegas, or they can find an offshore bookmaker where they can play.
It can be — but it depends on both skill and luck. While strategy and experience can help you make better betting decisions, Three Card Poker is still a casino table game with a built-in house edge. Skilled players can minimize losses and capitalize on bonus payouts, but luck ultimately determines the outcome of each hand.
In many ways it’s similar, but others it really isn’t. The principal rules of poker loosely apply, but 3-card is a unique game with unique card rankings.
We have mentioned some of the best bookmakers available to US-based players in this article, as well as pointing our readers in the direction of our guide. We would advise choosing one of these. But as for which is best, that’s down to the individual.
Las Vegas continues to evolve, though the pace of new casino openings has slowed since the major launches of Resorts World (2021), Fontainebleau (2023), and Durango Casino & Resort (2023). Still, the city remains the world’s top destination for table games, and nearly every major resort — from Caesars Palace and The Venetian to newer spots like Fontainebleau — offers Three Card Poker tables. Whether you prefer the energy of the Strip or a more relaxed atmosphere downtown, you’ll have no trouble finding a great place to play.
