How to Play Four Card Poker: Rules, Strategy, and Payouts Explained

By Bill Grinstead

Four Card Poker is a fun and fast-paced casino game that’s based on traditional poker but has some key differences. players get five cards and try to make the best four-card hand, while the dealer gets only five cards but plays with just four as well. Unlike regular poker, you’re not playing against other players—only against the dealer. There are also extra bets you can place for bonus payouts. It’s popular in casinos because it’s easy to learn, has exciting betting options, and gives players more chances to win with different types of hands. If you want to play this type of poker you can go to 1xbet live casino login and try it. 

What Is Four Card Poker?

• Four Card Poker is a casino table game where players go head-to-head against the dealer to see who can make the best four-card poker hand.
• The game was created by Roger Snow and introduced by Shuffle Master, a company known for developing popular casino games.
• Unlike regular poker, where players compete against each other,
• Four Card Poker is a house-banked game, which means you’re only playing against the dealer—not the other people at the table.
• This makes it simple and fast, with easy rules and fun side bets for extra excitement.

Basic Rules of Four Card Poker

Hand Rankings in Four Card Poker

Differences from Traditional Poker

In Four Card Poker, each hand is made up of four cards, not five like in traditional poker games. Because of this, some hands like the full house and straight flush do not exist in this version. The hand rankings are adjusted to fit the four-card format, but the idea is still the same—stronger hands beat weaker ones.

Highest to Lowest Hand Rankings

Here is the list of hand rankings in Four Card Poker, from strongest to weakest:

• Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same rank (e.g., 9♠ 9♥ 9♦ 9♣)
• Straight Flush – Four cards in a sequence, all of the same suit (e.g., 5♣ 6♣ 7♣ 8♣)
• Three of a Kind – Three cards of the same rank (e.g., Q♠ Q♦ Q♣)
• Flush – Four cards of the same suit (e.g., 2♣ 5♣ 8♣ J♣)
• Straight – Four cards in a sequence, any suits (e.g., 4♣ 5♦ 6♠ 7♥)
• Two Pair – Two sets of pairs (e.g., 6♠ 6♦ 3♥ 3♣)
• One Pair – Two cards of the same rank (e.g., K♠ K♦)
• High Card – None of the above; the highest single card wins

Quick Hand Rankings Chart

These rankings are key to understanding who wins each round in Four Card Poker. The stronger your hand, the better your chances of beating the dealer!

How to Play Four Card Poker – Step-by-Step

Step 1: Place Your Bets

• Start by placing your Ante bet, which is required to enter the game.
• You can also choose to place an optional Aces Up side bet, which gives you a chance to win extra money if you get a strong hand (a pair of Aces or better), regardless of the dealer’s hand.

Step 2: Get Your Cards

• After placing your bets, you’ll receive five cards face-down.
• The dealer also gets five cards, with one card face-up and the rest face-down.

Step 3: Decide to Play or Fold

• Look at your five cards and decide if you want to continue or fold.
• If you fold, you lose your Ante and any side bets.
• If you want to continue, place a Play bet. You can bet 1x to 3x your Ante depending on how strong your hand is.

Step 4: Dealer Reveals Cards and Hands Are Compared

• The dealer reveals their hand and picks the best four-card combination.
• You do the same, using your five cards to make your best four-card hand.
• Your hand is compared to the dealer’s to see who wins.

Step 5: How Payouts Are Calculated

• If your hand beats the dealer’s, you win even money (1 to 1) on both the Ante and Play bets.
• If the dealer wins, you lose both bets.
• If there’s a tie, both Ante and Play bets push (no win or loss).
• If you made the Aces Up bet, you can still win a bonus payout based on your hand strength, even if the dealer beats you.

More: Best Offer Play Without Deposit Bonuses for Australian Players: Enjoy a $50 Free Chip

Side Bets and Payouts

In Four Card Poker, you can place a side bet called Aces Up, which gives you a chance to win extra money if your hand is strong—like a pair of Aces or better. What’s great is that this bet pays out even if the dealer wins the round. The stronger your hand, the bigger the bonus you get. For example, Four of a Kind gives you the highest payout, while a pair of Aces gives you the smallest. Here’s a simple payout chart for the Aces Up bet:

This side bet adds excitement to the game and gives players more chances to win big!

Basic Strategy for Four Card Poker

In Four Card Poker, a good strategy is to raise when you have a strong hand and fold when your cards aren’t likely to win. As a beginner, it’s often a good idea to play if you have a pair of jacks or better, or if you have a flush or straight. If your hand is weak, like having no pairs or a high card, it’s best to fold to avoid losing your Ante and Play bet. One common mistake is to bet too much on a hand that has little chance of winning, so it’s important to know when to cut your losses and fold. Remember, only raise when your hand has a real chance of beating the dealer’s hand, and avoid getting too aggressive with weak cards!

House Edge and Odds

In Four Card Poker, the house edge is the advantage the casino has over the player. The expected return for players is typically around 96%, meaning for every $100 wagered, players can expect to lose about $4 on average. Compared to other casino games like blackjack or roulette, Four Card Poker has a higher house edge, but it’s still a fun game with the chance to win big, especially with side bets like Aces Up. The house maintains its edge by having set rules for the dealer and offering lower payouts on weaker hands, so the casino always has a slight advantage in the long run. However, the game is still exciting because of the big payout opportunities and bonus hands.

Playing Four Card Poker Online

Yes, Four Card Poker is available to play online on many trusted casino platforms and apps. Some popular online casinos offer the game, allowing players to enjoy it from the comfort of their home. The rules are the same as in a physical casino, but online play can be faster, and you don’t need to worry about waiting for other players. Some differences between online and live play include the fact that you can’t interact with other players face-to-face in an online setting, and the dealer is often a computer program rather than a person. However, online play is very convenient, and you can often find bonuses and promotions to make the experience even more enjoyable.

Conclusion

Four Card Poker is definitely worth trying if you enjoy fast-paced games with the chance to win big. It’s easy to learn, and the exciting side bets like Aces Up give you extra ways to win money. For new players, it’s best to raise when you have a strong hand, like a pair of Jacks or better, and fold when your cards are weak. Don’t get too carried away with weak hands, and remember, it’s all about having fun. As with any casino game, always play responsibly, set a budget, and enjoy the game for entertainment rather than expecting to win big every time.

FAQs 

Is Four Card Poker hard to learn?

No, Four Card Poker is quite easy to learn. The basic rules are simple—just make the best four-card hand out of five cards dealt to you, and compete against the dealer. With a little practice, you’ll get the hang of the game quickly.

What’s the best hand in Four Card Poker?

The best hand in Four Card Poker is Four of a Kind, where all four cards are the same rank. This hand beats all other combinations, including straight flushes, flushes, and three of a kind.

Can you bluff in Four Card Poker?

Bluffing doesn’t play as big a role in Four Card Poker as it does in traditional poker. Since you’re only playing against the dealer, the strategy mainly focuses on having strong hands and making good betting decisions based on your cards.

Is there skill involved in Four Card Poker?

While luck plays a big role in Four Card Poker, there is some skill involved. Knowing when to raise or fold based on your hand can improve your chances of winning. Understanding the odds and knowing the best times to make side bets also helps to make the most out of your game.