Players play against the croupier and the casino rather than against the other players. This variation on Stud Poker is amusing, easy to learn and fast in play.
Minimum wager : 10 euros.
Number of players : from 1 to 7.
Aim of the game : the player must have a hand (a “hand” means the three cards the player is dealt) with a combination of cards whose value is higher than that of the bank, represented by the croupier (dealer).
Before play can begin, the croupier shuffles a pack of 52 cards and places them in the card shuffling machine.
For the game to begin, each player must choose at least one of the following wagers : the “Ante” wager or the “Pair Plus” wager.
• The “Ante” wager allows the player to play against the bank’s hand. The player places his bet on the “Ante” box in front of him.
• The “Pair Plus” wager allows the player to bet on the hand he will be dealt. This wager wins if he obtains at least a pair or any other combination (see below), independently of the bank’s hand.
These two wagers can be played separately or together. Once the bets have been placed, the croupier deals three cards face down to each player and the bank.
When the cards have been dealt, the player looks at his cards. He then has two options for play.
• If he thinks he has a good hand, he can decide to raise the stakes and thus play against the bank. He then places an amount equal to his initial stake on the “Play” box.
• If he thinks his hand is too weak to play against the bank, he can decide to fold (abandon the game) : he then forfeits his wager and lays down his cards in front of him.
When all the players have made their decisions, the cards dealt to the bank are revealed.
The bank can play its hand against those of the other players only if the bank is qualified. Which means it must have at least a Queen in its hand.
• If the banks qualifies, you win if you have a better combination than the bank. Payouts : even money (the same amount as the initial wager) for “Ante” and “Play” wagers.
• If the bank is not qualified, the croupier pays even money on bets placed on “Ante” but nothing on wagers placed on “Play”.
When no combination has been obtained and the player has raised the stakes, the hand of the bank or the player with the highest card will win : if they have same highest card, the second highest card determines the winner.
If you bet on “Ante” and “Play”, you can win the “Ante Bonus” even if the croupier does not qualify and even if he has a better hand than yours. In order for this to happen, you must have a suit, three of a kind or a straight flush (suit in the same color).
MORE ADVANCED PLAY…
It is possible to “play blind” on boxes to one’s left or right if the seats next to you are empty (though you can’t “play blind” on more than two boxes). In this case, you place your wager, before the cards are dealt, on both “Ante” and “Play” : you are not allowed to look at the cards until the croupier turns them face up.
WINNING COMBINATIONS AND PAYOUTS
The value of the cards in decreasing order is as follows : ace, king, queen, Jack, ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three and two. The ace is worth 1 for the suit and straight flush (color suit).
“Pair plus”
• 1 pair : two matching cards (even money)
• Color : three cards of the same color (3 to 1)
• Suit : sequential suit of three cards (6 to 1)
• Three of a kind : three matching cards (30 to 1)
• Straight flush : sequential suit of three cards of the same color (40 to 1)
“Ante bonus”
• Suit : even money
• Three of a kind : 4 to 1
• Straight flush : 5 to 1
Where to play Three Cards Poker : Sun Casino
