3 card poker - Playing Pair Plus only

I just started playing at a casino that has a 40/30/6/4/1 pay table and from what I've read, this is a good payout. I've also seen a few discussions about playing only the Pair Plus and not the ante-pay. Most folks recommend not playing only the PP but they've always discussed a pay table different then the one I can play at. I don't gamble to win lots of money, it's more a social thing with friends. My usual bankroll is only $200. It seems that the odds are almost as good playing PP only versus ante-pay only and my real goal is to have my bankroll last as long as possible. I've messed around on some free online 3 card games and it seems that the PP only method either leaves me a little ahead or a little down, versus playing $5 ante $5 pay and $5 PP which is the way I normally play at real casinos.

If playing only PP doesn't make sense, does it make sense to play $10 ante-pay and $5 PP versus $5 ante-pay and $5 PP. I know the best odds are to just play the ante-pay, but that bores me :)

What do you think?

First off, you didn't mention the Ante Bonus paytable, but if the casino has the 40/30/6/4/1 on the PP, I'll just assume that they have the best 5/4/1 for the Ante bonus.

With those numbers, the Pair Plus is actually a better bet with respect to house edge. A $5 Ante bet will lose on average $0.17 (3.37% house edge), assuming you play basic strategy on the raise (raise with Q64 or better). A $5 Pair Plus wager will lose on average $0.12 (2.32% house edge).

So basically if you're looking at EV, play more on the PP. I don't have the variance numbers handy, but I'm guessing for bankroll preservation, Ante/Play might be slightly better due to lower variance?

At any rate, you're playing with great rules. Enjoy the game and if you like the thrill of the big payoff potential AND the fun of making the stand/fold decision, I would recommend playing $5 on each.

Ante has lower element of risk than Pp even with that payable

Quote: sodawater

Ante has lower element of risk than Pp even with that payable

I think element of risk is overused at this forum. Just IMO.

I like to think in terms of actual expected loss (not a percentage) when comparing the 2 bets in this case. A $5 wager on PP will lose less overall than a $5 initial wager on Ante.

Now, you will end up wagering more money on the Ante overall, which is why the EOR is lower. So if you enjoy that extra action, that is something to think about.

Thanks everybody. I think I will experiment with the PP only and see what happens. If anything, my $5 PP only bets should make it last longer