Table games guide
How do you settle Ultimate Texas Hold’em and Three Card Poker?
In Ultimate Texas Hold’em the dealer qualifies with a pair or better, and in Three Card Poker with Queen high or better. If the dealer doesn’t qualify, the Ultimate Texas Hold’em Ante pushes, while in Three Card Poker the Ante pays 1 to 1 and the Play pushes.
By Jeff Quizon. Built by a dealer who’s dealt poker and table games in casinos and card rooms. Published October 29, 2026. Last reviewed October 29, 2026.
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| Bet | Player wins | Dealer wins | Dealer doesn’t qualify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hold’em Ante | 1 to 1 | Taken | Pushes |
| Hold’em Play | 1 to 1 | Taken | Still plays against the dealer’s hand |
| Hold’em Blind | Pay table on a straight or better; pushes on less | Taken | Still plays, same as at left |
| Hold’em Trips | Pay table on three of a kind or better, whatever the dealer has | Same | Same |
| Three Card Ante | 1 to 1 | Taken | Pays 1 to 1 |
| Three Card Play | 1 to 1 | Taken | Pushes |
| Ante Bonus | Straight 1 to 1, three of a kind 4 to 1, straight flush 5 to 1, win or lose | Same | Same |
| Pair Plus | Pair 1 to 1, flush 3 to 1, straight 6 to 1, three of a kind 30 to 1, straight flush 40 to 1 | Same | Same |
Practice it
Drill these payouts free in the app →Ultimate Texas Hold’em pay tables
The Blind pays only when the player beats the dealer with a straight or better: royal flush 500 to 1, straight flush 50 to 1, four of a kind 10 to 1, full house 3 to 1, flush 3 to 2 and straight 1 to 1. A win with three of a kind or less pushes the Blind. A $15 Blind that wins with a flush pays $22.50.
Trips pays on the player’s own five best cards, whatever the dealer has: royal flush 50 to 1, straight flush 40, four of a kind 30, full house 8, flush 7, straight 4 and three of a kind 3. It pays even when the player folds, and when the player loses the main hand.
Hold’em play bets and settle order
The Play bet is 3 or 4 times the Ante before the flop, 2 times after the flop and 1 time after the river. A player who folds loses the Ante and the Blind, and Trips still plays.
Settle each spot from third base, your right, going counterclockwise: Play, then Ante, then Blind, then Trips. If both hands are the same, the Ante, Blind and Play push.
Three Card Poker: a straight beats a flush
With three cards a straight is rarer than a flush. From low to high: high card, pair, flush, straight, three of a kind, straight flush. A-2-3 is the lowest straight, Q-K-A is the highest, and K-A-2 is not a straight.
The dealer needs Queen high or better. With less, every Ante pays 1 to 1 and every Play pushes.
Three Card Poker settle order
Settle each spot from third base: Play, then Ante, then Ante Bonus, then Pair Plus. A folded hand loses its Ante and gets no Ante Bonus, but Pair Plus still pays on the player’s three cards.
The Ante Bonus goes to a player who plays, even when the dealer wins. A player with a straight who loses to a higher straight still collects it.
House rules vary
- Pay tables. Casinos print their own Blind, Trips, Pair Plus and Ante Bonus tables. The figures here are the app’s defaults. A Pair Plus flush often pays 3 to 1, and some tables pay 4 to 1.
- Play bet limits. Some Hold’em tables offer 3 times the Ante before the flop and others only 4 times.
- Side bets. Some Three Card Poker tables add a 6 Card Bonus, which pays on the player’s and dealer’s six cards together. We don’t cover it here.
- Settle order. We default to third base first. Your casino’s procedure decides.
Practice it
Ultimate Texas Hold’em and Three Card Poker drills
Ultimate Texas Hold’em and Three Card Poker are part of the Table Games Track. Levels 1 and 2 of blackjack Payout Speed are free. It’s a one-time purchase with a 5-day refund.
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