3 Card Stud Guide and Overview

Discover the thrill of 3 Card Stud with our expert guide! Our page will show you how to play Three Card Stud so you can hit the tables in no time. We’ll also share some beginner’s Three Card Stud tips. You can even play the game for free. You don’t need a download –scroll down and start playing. Test your skills on our free Three Card Stud game, then take your pick from our list of top online casinos to play for real money.

Please visit Caesars to check out the industry-leading bonuses, incentives, and latest gaming opportunities!

Follow our easy steps, and you’ll get to grips with the game in no time:

The Play

There are three circles on the table per each participating player. Next are two more circles for the base game, one labeled “Ante” and another labeled “Play.” The game begins when you place a wager on the Ante and/or the Stud circle equal to the table minimum.

The Deal

After placing their wagers, the dealer will give each participating player a three-card hand. Play will start with the player seated at the left-most corner of the dealer and will continue clockwise around the table. Both the dealer and the players are dealt three cards each.

Play or Fold

After viewing your hand, you can decide to fold or play. If you’re unhappy with your hand, you can fold and lose your Ante wager. However, if you choose to continue, you must call and place an additional bet on the Play circle, equivalent to the Ante wager.

Comparing Hands

The dealer will reveal his three cards after you decide on your 3 Card Stud hand. If the dealer has a high card queen or better, he automatically “qualifies” his hand. You win even money on your Play and Ante bets if you beat the dealer’s hand.

However, if the dealer’s hand does not contain a queen or better, all players still active in play will have their Play bet returned to them, plus even money for their Ante wager.

Ante Bonus

In 3 Card Stud online, you will get a bonus payout for holding certain hands when playing the Ante bet. You do not have to place an additional bet to participate. You’ll receive a bonus for winning with a straight, straight flush, or three-of-a-kind. The bonus amount will depend on the paytable values for your specific table.

Stud

Your Stud bet is based on whether you have a pair or better in your hand, regardless of whether you beat the dealer or he beats you in the Ante game. If you have a Pair or better, you win; if not, you lose-it’s that simple.

Six Card Bonus

You win the Six Card side bet depending on the six-card hand formed of your hands and the dealer’s. Payouts are made for a three-of-a-kind up to a mini Royal Flush.

Now that you know how to play Three Card Stud, it’s time to learn a few basic tips to get the most out of your gameplay. Our 3 Card Stud strategy will help you make the right decisions at the table. Follow our expert tips below to improve your odds of winning:

Practice with Free Three Card Stud

If you’re new to the game, free 3 Card Stud is ideal. You can practice for as long as you want to perfect your skills.

Fold All Hands Lower Than Q-6-4

Let’s continue with the most basic Three Card Stud strategy tip. You should fold whenever you have a hand that is lower than Q-6-4. Why? The dealer’s hand only qualifies with a queen, and you’ll usually be behind if you try to play with a poor hand.

Ignore the Stud Bets

The house edge for Ante & Play in Three Card Stud is 3.37%. However, this jumps to 4.49% when considering the Stud side bet. The takeaway is that the 3 Card Stud payouts for a pair or better don’t make the side bet worth the risk.

Check the Side Bet Payouts

Not every version of Three Card Stud online is the same. Some versions offer different payouts for the Stud bet. In our example, a mini Royal Flush pays 100/1. The house edge of this variant is 4.49%. But in other online 3 Card Stud free games, the payout for a mini-Royal can be as low as 50/1. This increases the edge to 5.39%.

Please visit Caesars to check out the industry-leading bonuses, incentives, and latest gaming opportunities.