There are no absolute rules of Poker as so many differnt variants of the game exists, Here are the rules to one of the most popular games played in London casinos: Three Card Poker.

Three Card Poker
Three Card Poker, based upon Brag is a friendly game and widely played. The main difference with 3 Card Poker from other games is that you do not compete against the other players, instead, against the Dealer. The object is to have a better (higher) hand than him.

Basic Play

In front of each player is a square box and a circle which are marked: "Play", Ante" and "Pair Plus". Prior to the deal you place your stake in either the "Ante" square or the "Pair Plus" or both. As always, the minimum and maximum bets allowed for the table will be clearly marked.

Each player is then dealt three cards by the Dealer, who also gets three cards. They then look at their hand and have two choices:

Either you think the hand is good and you have a good chance of winning in which case you can 'Play'. Put your cards face down in the 'Play' box and place an additional bet which is equivalent to your initial stake on top of your cards. So if your first bet was £10, your Play must also be £10.

Otherwise, if you are not so confident about your cards then you can surrender by pushing your cards away from you. You will then lose your initial stake.

After all payer have made their decision the Dealer turns his cards over. In Three Card Poker the Dealer must have at least a Queen high or better in order to win. If the Dealer's hand doesn't qualify, then the dealer will pay out all the remaining players their Ante stake, at even money. Their hands will not be compared.

If you placed a Pair Plus bet then your your cards will be turned over to see the outcome. The 'Pair Plus' bet is an optional side bet - it is not required to have an ante bet to play. As opposed to the main bet, the Pair Plus is independent of the Dealers hand. As long as you have a Pair or better you win.

If the Dealer's hand does qualify, each of the players hand will then be turned over in turn. If you hand beats the Dealers then you win. If not, you lose. Despite this, if you have a Straight or better then you will paid out the Ante. You will receive this whether you win or lose.

Ties result in a stand off. All three cards have to be considered. In Three Card Poker only one hand can be played at a time and there is strictly no conferring between the players!