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Learn How to Play 4 Card Poker With this Guide

Learn How to Play 4 Card Poker With this Guide

Four card poker is another variation of poker, developed by Roger Snow of Shuffle Master. Among the different types of poker games you might come across, 4 card poker stands out in its unique gameplay. Unlike many poker games you’ll find available, 4 card poker is quite different from others because you don’t play against other players. Instead, you play against the dealer by building your four card hand to be better than the dealer. This casino guide will lead you on your learning path to know how to play 4 card poker.

The 4 card poker game uses two standard decks of 52 cards and has familiar hand ranking as in standard poker. If you know how to play poker, you shouldn’t assume you can play four card poker. Learning how to play four card poker is also excellent place to begin learning how to play poker for beginners.

How to Play 4 Card Poker and Win

First, you must start by learning the rules. The rules for how to play 4 card poker are pretty simple, and you can learn them by heart.

  • Players play against the dealer and not each other.
  • There are only two available bets: the ante bet and the ace-up bet.
  • The dealer always qualifies in four card poker.
  • Players can bet between one and three times the ante wager.
  • Except for the dealer, every player receives five cards to create their best four-card hand. The dealer receives six cards, with the sixth card facing up.

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Rules Established, Let’s Play!

Since each player plays against the dealer instead of other players, the objective when learning how to play 4 card poker is to create the best four-card hand combination that beats that of the dealer. So let’s dive right into how to play!

1. An ante bet and an ace up

Like most poker games, the first step for every player is to place a bet. There are two types of bets you can place in four card Poker: the ante bet and aces up.

Before the game starts, every player must bet on either one of the bets or both of the bets. When you place the ante bet, it signifies that you are playing against the dealer, but if you place an ace-up bet, it signifies that you are playing against the paytable. This is because when you place an ace-up bet, you predict that your hand will have either a pair of aces or better. A pair of aces pays 1 to 1, while a better one pays better.

2. Deal

Do not assume that because it’s called “four card poker,” you’ll be dealt four cards. The dealer deals you five cards facing down, while the dealer deals himself six cards with only one card facing up. After all the bets have been placed by the players, and the dealer deals cards to each player, the cards are used to create the best four card hand combination.

3. Play or fold

The decisioning stage is a critical part when learning how to play because you have to decide whether to bet ahead or fold. If you choose to keep playing, you must click on the “Play” button on the screen at online poker. Then, players can make their wager between 1X and 3X. If players decide to fold, they must forfeit their hand and the ante wager.

4. Hand reveal

After the player has decided to play, the dealer reveals his hand, and a comparison is made with the player’s hand. If both the dealer’s and player’s hands equal a tie, or if the player’s hand beats that of the dealer, then both the ante and play wagers are won. In addition, bonus amounts can be won if the player has a hand with a high value. Examples of these hands are four-of-a-kind, straight flush, and three-of-a-kind.

To determine which hand is higher in value, let’s look at the hand rankings in four card poker from highest to lowest.

  • Four of a kind: A four-of-a-kind hand contains four cards of the same rank with different suits.
  • Straight Flush: A straight flush hand contains four cards of the same suit following a sequential ranking.
  • Three of a kind: A three-of-a-kind hand contains three cards of the same rank with different suits.
  • Flush: A flush contains four cards of the same suit but different ranks.
  • Straight:Straight contains four cards in a sequential ranking, irrespective of the suit.
  • Two Pair: A two-pair hand contains two pairs of cards of different ranks.
  • Pair: A paired hand comprises two cards of the same rank but different suits.
  • High card: This hand pays the highest card of the hands, when no other combinations of the ranking are found.

5. Payout

After the winner has been determined, his payout will depend on which hand he ends up with. Below are the payouts you can findin 4 card poker.

Standard Paytable for Four-Card Poker

  • 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

Standard Paytable for Four-card Poker

  • Four-of-a-kind: 25 to 1
  • Straight Flush: 20 to 1
  • Three-of-a-kind: 2 to 1

Common Four Card Poker Hand Nicknames 

Some common poker hand nicknames you’ll find in four card poker are: 

Ante-bet

Every player who wishes to play against the dealer must place this bet. It is placed before the game round begins. 

Ace up bet

This is the bet against the paytable. 

Play bet

This is the extra bet a player makes when he decides not to fold and forges ahead in playing against the dealer.

Final Thoughts

If you have been looking for a chance to play against a dealer, here it is. You get to play against the dealer in four card Poker. For more iGaming tips, visit Slots Paradise Casino.

Try out 4 Card Poker at Slots Paradise Casino today, and become a winner of many prizes.

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FAQs | How to Play 4 Card Poker

How many card decks are employed in four-card Poker?

Four-card Poker makes use of two standard 52-card decks for every game round.

Why does the dealer get six cards in four-card Poker? 

The dealer gets six cards in four-card Poker because if the player qualifies for a bonus payout, the player gets paid according to the paytable. If otherwise, the six-card bonus wager is paid to the dealer.

How are hand rankings determined in 4 Card Poker?

The hand rankings in 4 Card Poker are distinct from traditional poker. From highest to lowest, they are: Four of a Kind, Straight Flush, Three of a Kind, Flush, Straight, Two Pair, and Single Pair. It’s essential to note that a four-card straight is a hand with four consecutive cards, regardless of their suits, and a four-card flush consists of four cards of the same suit.