Three Card Brag is a casino game played between four to eight players. The objective of the game is to draw the top three-card hands and increase the winning amount before the game ends.
Brag or Three Card Brag is similar to the popular Indian game Teen Patti. Brag is one of the most popular British games and has been around since the 18th century. According to the book ‘The Hand Book of Games published by H.G. Bohn, Three Card Brag was one of the third-most played card games in Britain in 1867.
How to play Three Card Brag?
Three Card Brag is played with a deck of 52 cards excluding the joker. Before the game starts, each player puts an initial stake or ante into the pot that is decided mutually. The pot is then placed in the middle and the winner at the end of the round earns all the stakes.
Players are also required to decide amongst themselves the minimum and maximum initial amount of the bet and also the limit by which each bet can be increased by a player.
At the start of the game, each player receives three cards face down. The player to the left side of the dealer first starts, he has two options, either to fold (placing down the cards and giving up the ante) or bet between the minimum and maximum amount that is decided. The next player then has the option to either match the minimum bet equivalent to the previous bet or fold.
The game continues until two players remain and the player with the best hand wins the pot.
What is blind playing in Three Card Brag?
Playing blind in Three Card Brag means players do not look at the cards and bet while they are kept face down on the table. The bet amount of players playing blind is double, meaning players have to bet only half the minimum amount or the bet placed by the previous player.
However, playing blind requires an adequate amount of experience and it is advisable to be avoided by new players.
Three Card Brag hand rankings: Know them all
In Three Card Brag, the Aces card has the highest rank while the card with number 2 has the lowest. The hand rankings in Three Card Brag are as follows
Prial: Also known as three of a kind, is a set of cards of equal rank. For example, A-A-A or 2-2-2.
Running flash: Running flash is a sequence of three cards of the same suit. Example, A-2-3. It has the highest preference.
Run: A run is a sequence of three cards of any suit.
Flush: A flush is any sequence of three cards of the same suit. The highest card in a flush is compared first followed by the subsequent cards if necessary. For example, K-7-2 is of a higher value than Q-4-2.
Pair: A pair comprises two cards of the same rank. Aces have the highest rank or preference in pair. For example, A-A-K is an example of a pair.
High card: High card is used to determine the winner when the cards do not form any combination from the above set. Aces have the highest preference while the number 2 card has the lowest.
What are the strategies to play Three Card Brag?
Although Three Card Brag is a game of luck, there are certain strategies that can help bettors increase their chances of winning. Some of them include.
Thorough understanding of basics
Before playing the game, players should do thorough research of the rules and how to play the game. Understanding the basics of the game better can increase the chances of winning
Avoid being emotional
Three Card Brag is a game of chance and skill. Therefore, it is important for players to not take emotional decisions while playing the game.
Try practice games for free
Many bookmakers have provisions for free trials on their websites. Punters can try them and hone their skills before competing with other players.
Set limits for betting
Punters must avoid betting too big while playing Three Card Brag. As brag betting can continue indefinitely and there are chances that the pot limit can at times get very large.
Avoid playing blind
Playing blind is usually very difficult and takes a lot of practice and experience. New players playing the game for the first time should ideally avoid playing blind.