Three Card Draw Poker

Introduction

Three Card Draw Poker is a variant of video poker that uses three cards instead of five and employs four decks. Players have the option to choose between different games such as 'sevens or better' and 'bonus poker'. Additionally, they can select from different payout options including three pay, five pay, and ten pay. I’ve observed that the machines typically allow multiple coins. Currently, I’ve spotted this game at venues like the Orleans and Caesars Palace.

Sevens or Better

The table below illustrates the payout structure and relevant statistics for the most favorable pay table I’ve encountered for Three Card Draw Poker. This particular variant can be played using $1 coins at Caesars Palace.

The subsequent pay table is accessible at both 25 and 50 cent denominations at Caesars Palace, as well as for 25 cents at the Orleans.

There’s another pay table available for 5 and 10 cent games at the Orleans.

All statistics in this section derive from the optimal strategy suggested by computer analysis. Below is a player strategy intended to offer effective guidance for various situations. This approach works well for both the 97.92% and 95.52% payout tables available for sevens or better. Players should prioritize the hands listed hierarchically below. For instance, if you are dealt a suited 3/4/J, it would be more advantageous to keep the 3/4 (which is two to a straight flush and has no gap) instead of maintaining the pat flush.

1. Pat three aces or higher
2. Two ace of spades
3. Straight flush
4. Suited aces, except spaded
5. Straight, three of a kind
6. Suited pair 2-K
7. Ace pair, unsuited
8. 2 to A/K/Q suited
9. Pair 7-K, unsuited
10. Two to a straight flush, no gap, except A/2
11. Flush
12. Two cards suited to a straight flush with one gap, such as A/2 and A/3
13. Ace of spades
14. Two sequential unsuited cards ranging from 6/7 to Q/K¹
15. Ace, except spades
16. Queen
17. King
18. In scenarios where only high cards are present, it's typically best to choose the highest one. However, if more than one high card exists, retain the middle card if (1) it lies between 7 and K, (2) it’s suited alongside a lower card, and (3) there are two or more gaps between the lower and middle cards.
19. Toss everything

Exceptions:

If the jack is a spade, prioritize holding the jack and queen over the ace of spades.

Here are some hands that you should decisively avoid playing:

• A low pair
• Two suited high cards with multiple gaps between them
• Two unsuited high cards with one or more gaps
• Unsuited king and ace

Here is the best pay table I've seen for bonus poker, which is available for $1 coins at Caesars Palace.

This pay table can also be found using 25 and 50 cent denominations at Caesars Palace.

Written by: Michael Shackleford