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Rare Casino Games – Three-Card Poker  by Nina Hultman RSS Feed AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Three-card poker was invented by Derek Webb, a professional poker player from England. Webb developed Three-card in the mid-1990s. Shufflemaster, the company that manufacturers automated shufflers, own the rights to Three-card outside of Great Britain. Three-card is a fast-paced game with simple rules and betting options, but it isn’t one of the most popular poker games online.

Three-card has a striking resemblance to the old English game known as Brag. Brag has been around for centuries. Its rules are very similar to an Indian card game known as Teen Pathi or “three cards.” The Brits used to play a three-card game known as Primero. Primero evolved into Post and Pair. When wild cards were introduced to Post and Pair, they were known as braggers. Eventually, the game became known simply as Brag.


When Derek Webb invented Three-card, it was initially called Casino Brag or Brit-Brag, but the name was quickly changed to Three-card poker. Three-card poker mixes two games into one: Pair Plus and Ante/Play. In Pair Plus, the players bet on whether or not they’ll be dealt a pair or better. In Ante/Play, players battle the dealer to see who has the better hand.

Betting Options

Players have three different betting options:

  • Bets can be placed on the Pair Plus game
  • Bets can be placed on beating the dealer in Ante/Play
  • Bets can be placed on both games simultaneously

    Pair Plus

    Pair Plus is easy. If you get dealt a pair or better, then you get paid according to the is pay table:

  • Straight Flush gets paid 40 to 1
  • Three of a Kind gets paid 30 to 1
  • Straight gets paid 6 to 1
  • Flush gets paid 4 to 1
  • Pair gets paid 1 to 1

    Ante/Play

    The Ante/Play game is also pretty straight forward. Players throw in there ante and get dealt three cards. After looking at your cards, you have the option to raise your wager if you think you have a good shot at beating the dealer. Antes are placed on the ante spot on the table, and if a player decides to raise, an additional bet (equal to the ante) is placed in the play circle. Players also have the option of folding, in which case the ante bet is lost.

    To qualify for the hand, the dealer must have at least a high-card queen. If a pair or higher is turned over by the dealer, then the dealer automatically qualifies for the hand. If the dealer’s hand fails to qualify, all antes will be paid off at even money. The play bets are a push, and are returned back to the player. If the dealer’s hand is higher, you lose both bets. If your hand beats the dealer, each bet is paid even money. If you are dealt a straight, three-of-a-kind or straight flush, you will receive additional poker bonuses (no matter what cards the dealer is showing). The bonus payoffs are as follows:

  • Straight Flush gets paid 5 to 1
  • Three-of-a-kind gets paid 4 to 1
  • Straight gets paid 1 to 1

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