Introduction

Triple Action Hold'em is a variation of the game Texas Hold'em in which you play against a casino dealer. The game is available at casinos using Microgaming and Cryptologic softwares. The bonus weighting system used at many Cryptologic casinos makes it a useful option for bonus play.

 

Rules and Play

Triple Action Hold'em is played with a deck of 28 cards that only includes rankings from 8 to Ace. The name Triple Actions Hold'em relates to the game having three separate betting options -- ante, flop, and bonus. The bet options and rules are similar to 3-card poker. The ante bet is similar to 3-card poker ante & play bet, and the flop bet is similar to 3-card poker pair plus bet. However, the qualification hand and paytables differ from 3-card poker since the games use a different decks and the ante bet uses a different number of cards. The flop bet uses 3 cards, like 3-card poker. Also like 3-card poker, the ante bet has the lowest house edge per wager, and the flop bet (pair plus in 3CP) has the lowest house edge per hand.

 

Ante Bet

At the start of the hand, the player and dealer each receive a two-card pocket hand. There are 3 community cards, which are combined with the pocket hands to make 5-card poker hands. One of the dealer cards is dealt face up, and all community cards are dealt face down. Knowing his pocket hand and the dealer upcard, the player must decide to either raise and double his bet or fold and forfeit his initial ante bet. After the player decides to raise of fold, the hands are scored. Hand rankings differ from standard poker due to poker hands having a different distribution in the modified 28-card deck. From high to low, the rankings are royal flush, straight flush, flush, 4 of a kind, full house, straight, 3 of a kind, 2 pairs, 1 pair, high card.

If the dealer has a pair of 9s or better, the dealer qualifies. If the player wins the hand and the dealer qualifies, then both the ante & raise bets pay 1:1. If the dealer does not qualify (regardless of whether the player wins or loses the hand), then the ante bet pays 1:1, and the raise bet is returned. If the player loses the hand and the dealer qualifies, then both bets lose. If the player gets a full house or higher, then the player receives additional winnings as listed in the table below. This bonus is not dependent on dealer qualification.

 

Flop Bet

As the name implies, the flop bet is dependent on the flop (the 3 community cards). It does not depend on the player or dealer hands, or who won the hand. There are no strategy decisions. Simply place the bet and see if you have won or not.

 

Strategy

Optimal strategy on the triple action hold'em ante bet is very simple -- always raise. The worst possible hand is an offsuit 9 and 8 with a 10 or Jack dealer upcard. This hand has an EV of -0.88, well above the EV of folding (-1). The flop and bonus bets do not have strategy decisions.

 

House Edge