Four Card Poker, a popular casino card game, offers a unique twist to the conventional Poker games. Unlike traditional Poker, in Four Card Poker, players compete against the dealer, not other players. The game, invented by Roger Snow and operated by Shuffle Master, is a fantastic blend of skill, strategy, and luck.
Understanding the Basics of Four Card Poker
In Four Card Poker, players aim to make a better four-card hand than the dealer. Once the bets are laid down, each player receives five cards faced down, while the dealer gets five cards faced down and one card faced up. The gameplay is simple but thrilling, requiring a good understanding of Poker hand rankings and a knack for strategic betting.
Hand rankings in Four Card Poker, from lowest to highest, are:
- High card
- Pair
- Two Pair
- Straight
- Flush
- Three-of-a-Kind
- Straight Flush
- Four-of-a-Kind
Betting Options in Four Card Poker
Four Card Poker offers two distinct betting options - the 'Ante Bet' and the 'Aces Up' bet. Players can place a bet on either one or both of these options.
Ante Bet
The Ante Bet is placed against the dealer's hand. Once a player places their ante bet, they look at their cards and then at the dealer's lone up card. Following this, they need to decide whether to play or forfeit. If they choose to play, they must place a bet on the "Play" spot.
Aces Up Bet
The Aces Up bet is a side bet wagering that your hand will contain a pair of aces or better. If a player's hand has a pair of aces, they get paid 1 to 1 on their bet. If they make a better hand, they get paid out better odds.
Four Card Poker Payouts
Ante Bet Payouts
If a player's hand goes on to beat the dealer's, they receive a 1 to 1 payout. If a tie occurs, the player wins.
The Ante wager is also subject to a premium hand bonus:
- Four-of-a-Kind: 25 to 1
- Straight Flush: 20 to 1
- Three-of-a-Kind: 2 to 1
Aces Up Bet Payouts
- Four-of-a-Kind: 50 to 1
- Straight Flush: 40 to 1
- Three-of-a-Kind: 8 to 1
- Flush: 5 to 1
- Straight: 4 to 1
- Two Pair: 3 to 1
- Pair of Aces: 1 to 1
Playing the Game: Step by Step
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Before the cards are dealt, each player places an Ante wager, betting that they will have a hand of at least a pair or better.
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Each player is dealt a hand of five cards faced down to make their best four-card hand. The dealer receives six cards faced down to make his/her four-card poker hand.
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After viewing their five cards, players have the option to either:
- Fold: If a player folds, the hand ends, and the dealer collects the Ante wager.
- Play (Raise): If the player believes their hand can beat the dealer's hand, a second wager called the Play Wager is placed. The Play Wager must be 1 to 3 times the Ante to stay in the game.
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After all players have taken action on their hands, the dealer reveals and announces his/her Four-Card Poker hand.
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The dealer then compares their hand to each player's hand.
- If a player's hand beats the dealer's, their ante and play bets win 1 to 1.
- If a player's hand loses to the dealer's, their ante and play bets lose.
- If a player's four-card hand ties the dealer's four-card hand, their ante and play bets win.
Key Aspects of Four Card Poker
- If a hand does not contain a pair or better, the hand that contains the highest-ranking card(s) wins.
- Ace is the highest-ranking card, except in 4, 3, 2, Ace sequence.
- Each player is responsible for their hand, and no one other than the dealer and the player to whom the cards were dealt may touch the cards of that player.
- Only players seated at the table are permitted to wager.
Four Card Poker Strategy
Knowing when to fold and how much to bet is what separates a skilled Four Card Poker player from an amateur. Here is a simple Four Card Poker strategy:
- If a player has a pair of 2's or less, they must fold.
- For a pair of 3's through 9's, a player should bet at least Ante X1.
- For a pair of 10's or better, max up the ante and bet Ante X3. The dealer's average hand is a pair of 9's, so whenever a player has 10's or better, they're favored to win.
Progressive Jackpot
Some casinos offer a Multi-Link Progressive Wager in their casino card games, including Four Card Poker. It's usually an optional $1 side bet aiming to make Three-of-a-Kind or better to get paid. Players lucky enough to make a Royal Flush win the entire jackpot.
Conclusion
Four Card Poker is an exciting game that rewards skill, patience, and lots of nerve. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, it's a game worth giving a shot. Remember to play responsibly, and most importantly, have fun!