In contrast to the traditional game of poker, which is believed to be centuries old, the Three Card Poker game is relatively new to the casino table. Three Card Poker has rather a short history, but has quickly become a very popular table poker game.

Three Card Poker's popularity is perhaps due to the simplicity of the game. Irrelevant of the reason, Three Card Poker has rapidly become a fashionable and an enjoyable casino game.

The origins of this game probably stem from the English game of poker, "Brag". The game of three card poker online was created in 1994 by Derek Webb, who is a British poker champion and game inventor. The game was originally introduced to British casinos by Webb, where it proved to be popular. The online game very quickly made its way to the United States and around the world. In 1999, the rights to Three Card Poker were sold to ShuffleMaster.

Three Card Poker is a popular casino card game which actually consists of two games. These different 3-card-poker games within a game are called "Pairlus" and "Ante and Play" and each are played with a separate hand of three cards. The player may place 3 card poker bets on either or both of these different games. If placing bets on both games, different amounts may be wagered. In this attractive poker game, players do not play against one other. A player either plays against the dealer or against a list issued, showing payouts for particular hands. This is a game which is played with a set of 52 cards and is simple to learn and quick to play.

In the game "Pairplus", the player is dealt three cards and the game is determined according to the value of the cards. There will be payout if the hand reveals a pair or better. This is a simple game which does not involve any skill. In the game "Ante and Play", the players start by placing a bet on "Ante". Once the players have seen their cards, they may wish to fold. Players who wish to continue and play would then place a wager in the same amount of their original "Ante" bet, on "Play". There are several strategies for playing 3 card poker.

Three Card Poker has found its way rather quickly to the arena of online casinos. When Three Card Poker is played online, it becomes a faster game, mainly due to the time involved in shuffling and dealing. At a land-based casino, this aspect takes the dealer time, while online the action is almost instant. When playing Three Card Poker or other versions of poker games online, the requirement to disguise any movement and emotions when viewing one's hand is not necessary. Attempts to learn the type of the hand that has been dealt to others - in this case the dealer - through viewing others' reactions is no longer relevant online.

For those searching for an exhilarating and entertaining casino game, Three Card Poker could be the answer. In the words of the proprietors, ShuffleMaster, in this exciting game there are "three ways to play and four ways to win".