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Three Card Poker

This is a new game which appears to be spreading and it's not the worst choice one can make in a casino. The player has the option to make three different bets. The first is 'PairPlus' which is just a flat bet that you'll receive a pair or better. It's an independent bet, so it doesn't matter what the dealer gets. The payout is 1 to 1 for any pair; 4 to 1 for a flush; 6 to 1 for a straight; 30 to 1 for 3-of-a-kind and 40 to 1 for a straight flush. The house edge is 2.32% on that bet, roughly the same as Caribbean Stud. If you must play this game, it's the only bet I recommend you make.

The second bet is against the dealer, much like in Caribbean Stud. Called the 'Ante', it is placed prior to receiving any cards. Once you get your 3 cards, you have the option of making an additional bet; the 'play' bet, which must be an amount equal to the ante. Two of the dealer's 3 cards are then shown. If the dealer doesn't qualify with a queen or higher, the ante is paid 1 to 1 and the play bet is a push. If the dealer does qualify, the hands are ranked in normal poker fashion. If the player beats the dealer, the ante and play bets are paid even money. If your hand is a straight, it receives a bonus payout of 1 to 1 , if it's a 3K, you get 4 to 1 and a SF gets 5 to 1. All the bonuses are paid whether or not you've beaten the dealer.

The casino's edge, if a player 'calls' (makes the 'play' bet) with a hand of at least Q,6,4 is 3.4% per hand; that is, on some hands you'll fold and others you'll call. When all is said and done, the house edge on the total amount bet is 3.4%; the 'play' or call bet, when made, is included in that figure. That's a huge edge for the house, so don't get stuck by playing this portion of the game.