Found in many casinos across the nation, three-card poker offers a quick, easy-to-play game with many similarities to Caribbean Stud, except with fewer cards, tougher odds and more chances to lose your money to the casino.

It’s not as bad as it sounds, although I do find the payoffs somewhat restrictive. However, many people prefer fewer cards to keep track of when playing poker, thus making this an appealing option.

Quickly the rules. Each player will make an ante bet. The player also has the option of independently placing a pair-plus bet. This exists outside of any results of the ante or play bets, and is for those trying to maximize their return while taking the most amount of risk.

Once the ante bet is placed, the player and dealer each receive three pker cards. The dealer’s cards are face down. The player will add a Play bet of the same amount as the ante if he chooses to play the hand. If he folds, he forfeits the ante. Then the dealer’s hand is revealed. If the dealer has queen high or better, he qualifies and will play the player’s hand. If not, the dealer wins 1:1 on the ante and play bet.

Generally accepted lowest hand to play is Queen, Jack, 6. Anything lower than that you should probably fold and try again.

If the dealer does qualify, and you lose, the dealer of course wins all your bets. If you win, the amount is determined by how strong your hand is.

Unlike in home-game guts, straights and flushes do count, and are worth a return on your money. Sometimes the amounts will vary by casino, but typically you’ll get 1:1 bones for a flush, a set gets you 4:1 and a straight flush is 5:1.

If the player wins with lower than a straight, he wins even money on the ante and play bets, but no additional bonus money.

Going back to the pair-plus bet, these bonuses yield a much higher return, typically: 1:1 for a pair, 3:1 for a flush, 6:1 for a straight, 30:1 for a set and 40:1 for a straight flush. Anything less and you lose the bet. If the payoffs are anything less than this, the risk isn’t worth the return and you should avoid the pair-plus bet.