3 patti is a card game played at both land based and online casinos. It has been around since the late 1990’s and can be found at almost all casinos. There are some variations of the game such as Prime or Three Card Progressive Poker, but this article will focus on the basic game. 3 patti is a game of chance that is derived from five card stud poker. The hand rankings are the same as in poker except only three cards are used. This means that a straight or flush only needs to be three cards in a row or of the same suit and not five cards.
The wagering in 3 patti consists of two separate bets, Pair Plus is one bet and Ante and Play is the other. Each player can place a bet on either one or both of these wagers before play begins. The initial bet on the Ante and Play option is called the Ante. Once the wagers are placed three cards are dealt to each player and the dealer. Players then have the option to place a play wager by matching their ante wager or folding. The hands are then exposed. The dealer must have a hand of Queen High or better for the dealer hand to qualify. The reason that this is important is that if the dealer’s hand does not qualify, only the ante wagers are played and they are paid at even money. The play wagers are returned.
If the dealer’s hand does qualify then each player’s hand is compared to the dealer’s hand. If the player’s hand loses, both the ante and Play wagers are lost. If the player’s hand wins both the Ante and Play wagers are paid at even money. If the hands are tied then there is no wager and the bets are returned to the player. There is also an ante bonus that does not play against the dealer’s hand. The Ante bonus pays out at even money for a straight, four to one for three of a kind and five to one for a straight flush. This bonus is paid even if the dealer’s hand is better than the player’s hand.
The Pair Plus wager loses if the player has less than a pair and wins with a pair or better. The Pair Plus wager is not against the dealer so the dealer’s hand does not matter to this wager. It pays if the dealer does not qualify or if the dealer’s hand beats the player’s hand. The Pair plus Wager pays out at the following rates:
- A pair pays 1 to 1
- A flush pays 4 to 1
- A straight pays 6 to 1
- 3 of a kind pay 30 to 1
- A straight flush pays 40 to 1
The most common strategy in Ante and Play is for the player to play only when they have a queen or better. The optimal 3 patti rules is actually to play only queen, six, four or better but the odds are almost identical either way.
3 patti is often the busiest game in any casino while the crowd watching will inevitably stand around for hours observing the game! It is a game of high intensity and everybody wants to join in as either a player or a spectator!
The game of 3 patti often throws people because of the two types of bonus available. However, you should not be put off as the Pair plus Bonus and the Ante are very easy to understand.
The largest payout in 3 patti is from the Pair Plus. To earn this bonus you must place a bet in the Pair plus Area and the cards you are dealt must be a pair or higher. You can bet here only before the cards are dealt. You can expect to see the following bonuses:
- Pair = one times your bet
- Flush = three times your bet
- Straight = six times your bet
- Three of a Kind = 30 times your bet
- Straight Flush = 40 times your bet
The great thing about this game is if you lose, but you have a pair or higher, you still get the bonus! This is one reason many people love this game because you are paid even as a loser.
The Ante bonuses are harder to win because you required a straight or higher to win and it pays out as follows:
- Straight = one times your bet
- Three of a Kind = four times your bet
- Straight Flush = five times your bet
You still get the Ante bonus if you have a straight, three of a kind or a straight flush even if you lose your hand. Additionally, if you bet the pair plus and the ante you win both!
This game is exciting but if you are not catching the cards you need your bankroll will diminish quickly so please bear that in mind. Before placing a bet, decide if you are going to be playing the Pair Plus bonus.