Four Card Poker: A Guide to Rules, Strategy, and Winning
Introduction
Four Card Poker is a relatively new casino card game that’s similar to Three Card Poker, which I’ve also written a guide on. The game is played against the dealer, and the goal is to get a better four-card hand than the dealer. It was invented by Roger Snow of Shuffle Master and is marketed by Bally Technologies. The game is played on a table similar to a blackjack table and uses a standard 52-card deck. It’s a game of strategy and luck, and understanding the rules and strategies can significantly improve your chances of winning.
The history of Four Card Poker isn’t as long as other casino games like blackjack or poker, but it has quickly become popular since its introduction in the early 2000s. It’s now found in many casinos across the world and has a loyal following of players. The game is easy to learn, which I find makes it accessible to new players, but it also offers enough depth to keep experienced gamers interested.
Quick Tip for Four Card Poker
Always bet on Aces Up for a chance to win additional payouts, regardless of the dealer’s hand.
Rules for playing Four Card Poker
Understanding the rules is crucial to playing Four Card Poker. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
- Players start by making an Ante bet and an optional Aces Up bet.
- Each player and the dealer receive five cards each, but one of the dealer’s cards is exposed.
- Players then look at their cards and decide whether to fold or bet. If they fold, they lose their Ante bet. If they bet, it must be 1 to 3 times their Ante.
- After all players have made their decisions, the dealer reveals their hand.
- The dealer’s hand must have at least a King high to qualify. If the dealer does not qualify, players win even money on their Ante bet and push their play bet.
- If the dealer qualifies, players compare their best four-card hand to the dealer’s to determine the winner.
- Winning hands are paid according to the paytable, and losing bets are collected by the house.
- The Aces Up bet is separate from the Ante and play bets and is paid out based on the paytable, regardless of the dealer’s hand.
Aces Up in Four Card Poker
The Aces Up bet is an optional side bet that players can make alongside their main ante bet. The Aces Up bet is solely based on the player’s hand and does not depend on the dealer’s hand or the outcome of the main game. To place an Aces Up bet, put your chips in the designated Aces Up betting area on the table. The payout for the Aces Up bet is determined by the strength of the player’s hand, specifically the strength of their best four-card poker hand, regardless of whether they win or lose the main game.
Typically, the payouts for the Aces Up bet vary depending on the casino, but they usually follow a similar structure:
- A pair of Aces or better: This is the minimum hand required to win the Aces Up bet.
- The stronger the hand, the higher the payout. Common payouts, I find, include:
- Pair of Aces: 1 to 1
- Two Pair: 2 to 1
- Three of a Kind: 3 to 1
- Straight: 4 to 1
- Flush: 5 to 1
- Full House: 7 to 1
- Four of a Kind: 20 to 1
- Straight Flush: 50 to 1
- Four Aces: 30 to 1 or higher (depending on the casino)
It’s important to note that the Aces Up bet is entirely optional, and you can choose whether or not to place this bet before the cards are dealt. Additionally, the Aces Up bet does not affect the outcome of the main game, which is played against the dealer’s hand using traditional poker hand rankings, as I explain on the Poker guide.
Equipment and Setup for Four Card Poker
The game is played on a table with a similar layout to blackjack. It uses a standard deck of 52 cards, and a shuffling machine is often used to ensure fair play. Chips are used for betting, and the table has designated spots for the Ante, Aces Up, and play bets.
How to Play Four Card Poker
Here’s how the game unfolds:
- Key Game Mechanics: Players must decide whether to fold or bet after receiving their cards. The decision is based on the strength of their hand.
- Setup: Players make their Ante and optional Aces Up bets. The dealer gives five cards to each player and themselves.
- Gameplay: After viewing their cards, players either fold or make a play bet. The dealer then reveals their hand, and hands are compared.
- End of the Game: Payouts are made according to the paytable, and the next round begins.
How to Win at Four Card Poker
To win at Four Card Poker, you need a strong strategy and an understanding of the odds. The house edge varies based on the strategy used but is generally around 2-3% which is on the fairly good side for players. The Aces Up bet has a higher house edge but offers the potential for big payouts. It’s important to know when to fold and when to bet 1x, 2x, or 3x your Ante.
The typical paytable for the main game (excluding side bets like Aces Up) can vary slightly from casino to casino, I’ve found. A typical paytable and associated probabilities/odds are as follows:
| Hand | Payout | Probability | Odds | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 100 to 1 | 0.000032% | 3,216,076:1 | Win |
| Straight Flush | 50 to 1 | 0.000234% | 423,051:1 | Win |
| Four of a Kind | 25 to 1 | 0.001680% | 59,047:1 | Win |
| Full House | 4 to 1 | 0.032360% | 2,458:1 | Win |
| Flush | 3 to 1 | 0.021761% | 4,655:1 | Win |
| Straight | 1 to 1 | 0.116943% | 854:1 | Win |
| Three of a Kind | – | 0.549079% | 182:1 | Win |
| Two Pair | – | 4.7539% | 20:1 | Win |
| Pair of Aces or better | – | 16.0969% | 4:1 | Win |
| Anything lower | – | 77.395% | – | Lose |
These probabilities are calculated based on the number of possible combinations of hands in a standard 52-card deck. The “Odds” column represents the odds against hitting each hand, meaning how many non-winning combinations there are for every winning combination.
It’s important to note that while these probabilities and payouts are common, they may vary slightly depending on the specific rules of the game at different casinos. Always check the paytable at the casino you’re playing at for the most accurate information.
Best Strategies for playing Four Card Poker
Here are some strategies to improve your chances of winning:
- Always bet on Aces Up for additional payouts.
- Make a 1x bet with a pair of 2s through 9s, a 2x bet with a pair of 10s or better, and a 3x bet with a three-of-a-kind or higher.
- Pay attention to the dealer’s exposed card to inform your betting strategy.
Variations
Some casinos offer variations of Four Card Poker with different paytables or bonus bets. It’s important to read the rules for any variations before playing.
Scenarios
Good scenarios include having a three-of-a-kind or higher, as these hands offer the best payouts. Bad scenarios include having a low pair or no pair, which might be best to fold depending on the dealer’s exposed card.
Frequently Asked Questions about playing Four Card Poker
- Q: How important is the Aces Up bet?
A: It’s optional but can offer big payouts. - Q: Should I always make a 3x bet with a good hand?
A: Yes, maximize your winnings with strong hands. - Q: What’s the best way to learn Four Card Poker?
A: Practice at a casino or use online simulators.
Additional Subtopics
Other relevant topics include bankroll management, reading the dealer’s tells, and common player mistakes to avoid.
External Links
Four Card Poker Online Simulator (free, no gambling)
Four Card Poker Gameplay [Video]
A digital native around since the early days of online gaming communities around 2001. An early contributor to the cult gaming site ClanTemplates, Adam has spent years giving free gaming resources to the community. With BoardCards, Adam is most experienced and commonly writing the articles on Strategy multi-player games like Settlers of Catan and Avalon. His first introduction to board games was via Mancala, an Egyptian-origin stone game and one of the oldest known games still played worldwide. Contact me via email
