Nevada Players Guide Blog
Welcome to our blog, your source for valuable tips and strategies to enhance your Nevada experience. Whether you're a seasoned visitor or a new resident, we're here to share insights that help you make the most of your time in the Silver State. Explore our articles and discover new ways to play, dine, and live in Nevada.
Mastering Three Card Poker strategy
Many believe Three Card Poker is solely a game of luck, but that's not entirely true. Just like any casino game, understanding and leveraging your bets is key to winning more consistently. Our expert tips will guide you through strategic approaches to improve your game and increase your chances of success at the tables.
When it comes to Three Card Poker, I prefer to play at a table that offers the 6 Card Bonus option. Most do, but not all.
The payouts shown on this page are common but may vary. For example, most casinos have lowered Flush payouts for PAIR PLUS wagers to 3-1 from 4-1, so that's what we show below. Double check the pay tables wherever you are so that you're fully aware of what you're getting yourself into.
The most reliable key to winning big when playing Three Card Poker is the PAIR PLUS wager, which returns the following:
HAND PAYOUT
Straight Flush: 40 - 1
Three-of-a-Kind: 30 - 1
Straight: 6 -1
Flush: 3- 1
Pair: 1 - 1
As an example, a Straight Flush will pay $200 for a $5 wager.
Know your minimums: Off-strip casinos usually require a $5 minimum wager while strip casinos or larger off-strip resorts average $10-15 but can certainly go higher. That's for the ANTE. PAIR PLUS, 6 Card, and Progressive side bet minimums can vary, but the most common options are PAIR PLUS $5 and up, 6 Card $1-100, and Progressive - usually one dollar but occasionally $5.
Note the ANTE payoffs below - decent returns for Three-of-a-Kind or a Straight Flush but not to your maximum advantage. When it comes down to it, we're gambling, right? Keeping that in mind, side bets are where the real money is, but they can quickly drain your bank if you don't offset them with a slightly larger ANTE bet. Remember, we’re trying to leverage our bets to get the absolute most for our money.
Beyond luck: The art of betting
Some call the 6 Card Bonus wager a sucker bet, but I feel like a sucker if I don’t play it. My bacon has been saved by the 6 Card Bonus more times than I can count.
Same goes with the progressive if offered. PLAY IT.
I was sitting at a TCP table at the Rio years ago when Caesar's ran it. They offered a $100,000 payoff for a SIX Card Royal (9-10-J-Q-K-A), upping that to a million bucks if the hand showed up in diamonds. A lady next to me said she refused to play any side bet, calling them rip-offs. She hit one of those hands a few minutes later. I don't recall what the suit was, but she would have won at least $100 grand. I think it was diamonds. All I remember for sure is the color drained from her face, and she darted out of there without the money she would have won if not for her stubborn ways. That's a story you don't want to tell your grandkids.
Minimums for the 6 Card Bonus wager can start as low as $1, but many houses require a $5 minimum. They usually cap the bet at five times the minimum. That tells me that there is added value in that wager for players, or higher minimums would be permitted. As always, rules may vary by casino.
Interesting fact: Generally, in TCP, a straight beats a flush, but when it comes to 6 Card Bonus payouts, a flush beats a straight, as is the case in regular poker.
6 Card Bonus Pay Table:
HAND PAYOUT
Royal Flush: 1000 - 1
Straight Flush: 200 - 1
Four-of-a-Kind: 50 - 1
Full House: 25 - 1
Flush: 15 - 1
Straight: 10 - 1
Three-of-a-Kind: 5 - 1
Elevate your card game
Our goal is to help every card player, from novice to seasoned, enhance their skills. After reading our blog, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to make more informed decisions at the card table, ultimately becoming a better and more confident player. Stay tuned for more strategies and tips!