Three Card Poker & Spanish 21
I may be in a position in the near future where I "can play any game but blackjack." I've dabbled at three card poker where the strategy is play Queen-8 and better and always play the pairs plus bet. Is that right? If not, what is basic strategy? What is the house edge? Does it make any sense for the pairs plus bet to exceed the ante?
I've read Walker's Spanish 21 and am not sure I will have basic strategy down pat by the time of my trip. Is it ok to bring a typed up basic strategy card to the table, as it allowed in blackjack? It wouldn't be a full basic strategy card. I'm surprised how different basic strategy is in Spanish 21 to blackjack. As she describes in the book, I could imagine many arguments over basic strategy (most people probably don't even know one exists) at the table.
Thanks in advance.
by: revereman
The optimal strategy for 3 card poker is to raise Q64 or better. Even then, the house edge will still be over 2%. Not worth it, unless you are perfectly fine being a sucker.
Wizard of Odds has all the info you need on the math of 3 card poker.
Dealers and players will harass you to play the pair plus. Don't give in.
The only reason an AP would play 3 card poker, is if they find a dealer who accidentally shows them at least one of their cards while dealing.
Personally, I've not found a flashing dealer in 3 card poker.
Another side note: blackjack basic strategy is easier to memorize than Spanish 21.
If you're caught counting at blackjack then Spanish 21 and other blackjack style games in that casino are off the table.
With that said, you might encounter less casino heat counting at Spanish 21, compared to traditional blackjack, since most counters still to traditional blackjack.