Going All in on Three Card Poker Side Bets

This is our third blog focusing on Three Card Poker. If you've read 'em so far, you might be catching on to why we're so obsessed with the game.

One good thing about Three Card Poker is that it's simple to learn and play. You have no say in which cards are dealt or how many, so nobody will ever accuse you of counting them for an "unfair advantage", then "invite" you to leave the casino.

Almost every table game in Nevada casinos offers players a side bet or two. I'll explain why I’m a fan of TCP side bets in particular.

During a recent session I was dealt two 8’s and a 9. The player next to me had two 9’s and an 8. The dealer flipped over 6-8-9. Had the dealer held any other non-qualifying hand (less than a Queen), we might have just won the PAIR PLUS payoff - even money - but thanks to the 6 Card Bonus rule, we each scored Full House bonus wins, with a payoff rate of 25-1. Since we’d each bet the max ($5 at this table), we pocketed $125 apiece.

Some casinos let you bet more on side bets, but others—like South Point—don’t offer the 6 Card Bonus at all, no matter how much you want to wager. Because of that, I skip Three Card Poker there (even though South Point is a solid spot for other games). Sure, they have the progressive bet, but that alone isn’t enough to get me to put my money on the line.

In direct contrast to the South Point, nearby M Resort offers the 6 Card Bonus, but no progressive bet. That’s not a problem for me as 6 Card Bonuses pop up way more often than Progressive payoffs.

The Three Card Thrill Factor

The 6 Card Bonus and Progressive wagers have saved me from leaving the table empty handed many times. Yet I often encounter players insisting those are "sucker bets" which they refuse to play. That's unfortunate, because those bets really can pay off and make it well worth your while.

There are two bets in a casino game that I do consider sucker bets. BIG 6 and BIG 8 at the craps table. More on that later.

Cowboys, Skeptics, and Chasing Wins

During a recent PBR week, I played with a bunch of cowboys who all said they hated side bets. That is, until a couple of them hit for other players and then suddenly everybody wanted in. I couldn’t help myself, so I asked, “Why not play the side bets?” One cowpoke answered, “It’s just another way for the casino to make money. Think how much it adds up every hour.” I replied, “That’s true for every game here. You skip these bets to save a few bucks, but then you miss the big payoffs. Why gamble at all if you’re not going to go for it? One good hand can change everything!”

Small Stakes, Big Wins

Once, I sat down at a Three Card Poker table with $100—or it might have only been $60, come to think of it. I hadn’t planned to play, just stopped by for the free bundt cake being offered to reward club members that day. I couldn’t resist stopping by the table for just a few minutes on my way out. Shortly after I took a seat, the player to my right ran out of chips and couldn’t cover the $1 progressive bet. I did so for him, since he’d been playing all the options up to that moment. If he hadn’t, I’d have let it go, but I know what it’s like to be down to your last $20 and just short of covering all the options. No big deal. Others have helped me out before, and I always appreciate it. If I hit something, I share the wealth, though that hasn’t happened - yet.

The player lost the round, then stormed off without a word. The next hand (that would have been his) turned out to be Trip 3’s, for a 30-to-1 payout. My $5 Pair Plus bet netted me $150, plus another $60 from the progressive meter. The “meter” is only a factor for the Three Card Royal in Spades (at Silverton). Lesser hands pay fixed amounts.

The Hot Streak

After those Trips were dealt, my very next hand was 10-J-Q of Hearts—a 40-1 Straight Flush, netting me $400 for my Pair Plus wager. But it wasn’t over. The dealer then turned over A-K of Hearts—and bam! I was suddenly staring at a 6 Card Bonus Royal Flush! My $5 side bet netted me $5K, plus a few extras. Total win for my $31 wager that round (6 Card, Progressive, Pair Plus, Ante): about $5,500. No complaints! Especially since I was rewarded for every level of my winning wager - it's wasn't "only highest winner paid" as is sometimes the case in other games. That’s why I say, “Bet those TCP side wagers - or why bother?” But hey, you do you.   

One More for the Road

Oh, and a few weeks before I hit the 6 Card Royal I just told you about, I landed a Three Card Progressive Royal—also in hearts. Just my hand—not combined with the dealer’s cards. That paid $500, plus a $25 ‘envy’ bonus to the other players. Plus $400 for my $10 Pair Plus. My net that day was $900 and change. If it had been in Spades, I’d have won the progressive jackpot—over $6K that day.

So, that's how I play, and the reasons why. Share your own side bet wins or casino tales of any kind—I'd love to hear them!

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