Most online casino poker games are based on five card hands. However, most software providers offer a three card hand variant known as Tri Card Poker. Tri Card Poker is a simpler and faster game. The basic rules are the same, though there would be minor differences in the variants of different software providers. This article is based on the Realtime Gaming (RTG) version of Tri Card Poker.

The game begins with the player placing the Ante bet. He may also place the voluntary Pair+ bet. Three cards are dealt face up for the player, while the three dealer cards are dealt face down. Based on his cards the player must decide whether to fold or raise. If the player folds, then he loses his Ante bet and the game is over. If the player raises, then a Raise bet equal to the Ante bet is automatically placed. The dealer’s cards are then exposed.

In RTG online casinos the bet settlement is done instantaneously as per the rules of the game. However Tri Card Poker players must be aware of the rules, even though they do not interact in the payout process. The first point is to check if the dealer has qualified. The dealer needs a queen high or better to qualify. If the dealer has not qualified then the player is paid even money on the Ante bet and the Raise bet will push. If the dealer has qualified, then the player’s hand will be compared to the dealer’s hand, and the higher hand will win. The Tri Card Poker hand rankings in descending order are as follows: Straight Flush, Three of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Pair and High Card.

If the player has the higher poker hand then he will be paid even money for the Ante and the Raise bets. If the dealer has the higher poker hand then both bets will lose. If the hands are in a tie then both bets will push. There are two other issues that need to be explained. The player receives an Ante Bonus based solely on his dealt hand irrespective of whether he wins or loses. If the player is dealt a Straight the Ante Bonus pays even money on the Ante bet. Three of a Kind pays an Ante bonus of 3 to 1 and Straight Flush pays an Ante bonus of 4 to 1. If the Pair+ bet has been placed then there will be additional payouts based only on the player’s hand. Pair pays even money, Flush pays 4 to 1, Straight pays 6 to 1, Three of a Kind pays 25 to 1 and Straight Flush pays 40 to 1.

The first decision before the Tri Card Poker player is whether to place the Pair+ bet. Under the RTG Pair+ payouts the house edge for this bet works out to 3.5%. This is a middling kind of house edge. Risk taking players, who are happy with the 5% house edge of online slots, can go for the Pair+ bet. Conservative players should avoid it. The second decision before the Tri Card Poker player is whether to fold or raise. The simple strategy is that if the player has the dealer’s qualifying hand of queen high or better then he should raise, otherwise he should fold.

RTG Tri Card Poker can be played at online casinos like Club World, Win Palace and Bovada Casino.