Table games
Three Card Poker: Rules and the Q-6-4 Rule
5 min read · Updated 2026 · 18+
Three Card Poker is quick to learn and genuinely strategic. Here are the rules and the single rule - Q-6-4 - that plays it almost perfectly.
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You and the dealer each get three cards; beat the dealer's hand to win. With three cards, a straight beats a flush because straights are rarer.
Rankings
High to low: straight flush, three of a kind, straight, flush, pair, high card. Remember straight beats flush here.
The bets
Ante & Play: ante, see cards, then fold or match with a Play bet (dealer qualifies on Queen-high+). Pair Plus: a side bet on your own hand (pair or better), independent of the dealer.
Q-6-4 strategy
Play any hand of Queen-Six-Four or better, fold worse. Ace/King high - always play; Queen high - play with a 6+ kicker. That is near-optimal.
The odds
With Q-6-4 the Ante edge is ~3.4%; Pair Plus runs ~2.3-7.3% by paytable - check it. Low stakes, high fun, but the edge still favours the house.
FAQ
Does a straight beat a flush?
Yes - in three-card poker straights are rarer, so they rank higher than flushes.
Best strategy?
Q-6-4: play Queen-Six-Four or better, fold worse.
Ante or Pair Plus?
Ante & Play is against the dealer; Pair Plus pays on your own hand regardless of the dealer.
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New players get a $25 bonus to start. Crypto deposits, instant withdrawals, provably fair games. 18+.
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