How do I know if a socket is 3-way?

0:151:21Extra Clicks on 3 Way Lamp Socket Explained - YouTubeYouTube

Why do 3-way bulbs burn out so quickly?

Habitually loose connections, either at the socket or with the wire connections, can burn out the bulb quickly, as well as cause flickering. These loose connections increase the electrical resistance and the heat passing through the filament of the bulb, which can shorten its life.

Can you put a regular light bulb in a 3 way?

In summary, you can use pretty much any type of regular bulb with any wattage in your 3-way lamp. You just wont be able to adjust the lighting beyond whatever the standard brightness is for the bulb.