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Three Card Draw Poker

Last update: December 5, 2001

Sevens or Better

The following table shows the pay table and associated statistics for the best paytable I have seen for either variation of Three Card Draw Poker. It is available at the $1 coinage at Caesars Palace.

Probabilities in Three Draw Card Poker - Sevens or Better
Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
3 suited ace of spades800962157840.0000150.012267
3 suited aces1602809301040.0000450.007163
3 of a kind suited8033901781760.000540.043223
AKQ suited8052136555520.0008310.066471
3 aces25128229601920.0020440.051089
Straight flush12414541716480.0066060.079277
3 of a kind 5876604055040.013970.069851
Straight 35479193763840.0873210.261962
Suited pair24155051248640.0662180.132436
Flush14861736279040.077480.07748
Pair: 7-A111164920238080.1779330.177933
Nothing035577889209600.5669970
Total627479759088010.979153

The next pay table is available at the 25 and 50 cent coinage at Caesars Palace, and the 25 cent coinage at the Orleans.

Probabilities in Three Draw Card Poker - Sevens or Better
Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
3 suited ace of spades800962157840.0000150.012267
3 suited aces1602809301040.0000450.007163
3 of a kind suited8033901781760.000540.043223
AKQ suited8052136555520.0008310.066471
3 aces25128229601920.0020440.051089
Straight flush12414541716480.0066060.079277
3 of a kind 4876604055040.013970.055881
Straight 35479193763840.0873210.261962
Suited pair24155051248640.0662180.132436
Flush14861736279040.077480.07748
Pair: 7-A111164920238080.1779330.177933
Nothing035577889209600.5669970
Total627479759088010.965183

The next pay table is available at the 5 and 10 cent coinage at the Orleans.

Probabilities in Three Draw Card Poker - Sevens or Better
Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
3 suited ace of spades800953972880.0000150.012163
3 suited aces1602809301040.0000450.007163
3 of a kind suited8033901781760.000540.043223
AKQ suited8052092902400.000830.066415
3 aces25127951313280.0020390.050978
Straight flush10398754877440.0063550.063549
3 of a kind 4876604055040.013970.055881
Straight 35443376378880.086750.260249
Suited pair24142946862080.0660250.13205
Flush15178714055680.0825320.082532
Pair: 7-A111166501104640.1779580.177958
Nothing035323369303680.562940
Total627479759088010.952162

All the statistics in this section were based on optimal computer strategy. Following is a player strategy, which should correctly advise in all situations. It will work correctly for both the 97.92% and 95.52% return pay tables of sevens or better. To use the strategy play the hand that can be found highest on the list below. For example if you had a suited 3/4/J it would be better to play the 3/4 rather (two to a straight flush, no gap) rather than keep 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 to a straight flush with one gap, suited A/2 & A/3
  13. Ace of spades
  14. Two consecutive unsuited cards 6/7 to Q/K1
  15. Ace, except spades
  16. Queen
  17. King
  18. High card. If more than one then usually the highest one is best, however keep middle card if (1) middle card is 7-K, and (2) high card is suited with low card, and (3) there are two or more gaps between low and middle card.
  19. Toss everything

Exceptions:

1
Hold jack and queen over ace of spades if jack is spaded

Following are some of the hands you should never play:

  • A low pair
  • Two suited high cards with more than one gap
  • Two unsuited high cards with one or more gap
  • Unsuited king and ace

Bonus Poker

The following is the best pay table I have seen for bonus poker. It can be found at the $1 coinage at Caesars Palace.

Probabilities in Three Draw Card Poker - Bonus Poker
Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
3 suited ace of spades800769662720.0000120.009813
3 suited aces4002464746000.0000390.015712
3 of a kind suited: 2-41604327902000.0000690.011036
3 of a kind suited: 5-K8030007353600.0004780.038258
AKQ suited5048500720640.0007730.038647
3 aces20127288394880.0020290.040571
Straight flush12420150635520.0066960.08035
3 of a kind 6914091425280.0145680.087406
Straight 35531497697280.0881540.264463
Suited pair24129594076160.0658120.131625
Flush14823778432000.0768750.076875
Pair: 7-A111101355274240.176920.17692
Nothing035614149588480.5675740
Total627479759088010.971675

The next pay table can be found at the 25 and 50 cent coinage at Caesars Palace.

Probabilities in Three Draw Card Poker - Bonus Poker
Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
3 suited ace of spades800771321600.0000120.009834
3 suited aces4002469722640.0000390.015744
3 of a kind suited: 2-41604339514160.0000690.011065
3 of a kind suited: 5-K8030071635200.0004790.03834
AKQ suited5048606888960.0007750.038732
3 aces20127514002560.0020320.040643
Straight flush12421264296960.0067140.080563
3 of a kind 5876604055040.013970.069851
Straight 35549799567360.0884460.265338
Suited pair24153367485440.0661910.132383
Flush14851614991360.0773190.077319
Pair: 7-A111161552711680.1778790.177879
Nothing035519999715840.5660740
Total627479759088010.95769

The next pay table can be found at the 25 cent coinage at the Orleans.

Probabilities in Three Draw Card Poker - Bonus Poker
Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
3 suited ace of spades800771321600.0000120.009834
3 suited aces4002469722640.0000390.015744
3 of a kind suited: 2-41604339514160.0000690.011065
3 of a kind suited: 5-K8030071635200.0004790.03834
AKQ suited5048606888960.0007750.038732
3 aces20127514002560.0020320.040643
Straight flush12421264296960.0067140.080563
3 of a kind 4876604055040.013970.055881
Straight 35549799567360.0884460.265338
Suited pair24153367485440.0661910.132383
Flush14851614991360.0773190.077319
Pair: 7-A111161552711680.1778790.177879
Nothing035519999715840.5660740
Total627479759088010.94372

The next pay table can be found at the 5 and 10 cent coinage at the Orleans.

Probabilities in Three Draw Card Poker - Bonus Poker
Hand Pays Combinations Probability Return
3 suited ace of spades800771321600.0000120.009834
3 suited aces4002469722640.0000390.015744
3 of a kind suited: 2-41604339514160.0000690.011065
3 of a kind suited: 5-K8030071635200.0004790.03834
AKQ suited5048606888960.0007750.038732
3 aces20127514002560.0020320.040643
Straight flush10405998177280.006470.064703
3 of a kind 4876604055040.013970.055881
Straight 35504001208320.0877160.263148
Suited pair24141917895680.0660090.132018
Flush15176020034560.0824890.082489
Pair: 7-A111161552711680.1778790.177879
Nothing035268108741120.562060
Total627479759088010.930475


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