Four card poker is a new casino poker variation. Like Caribbean poker, pai gow poker and three card poker, the game takes place between each player and the dealer. Four card poker is similar to three card poker. The object of the game is to beat the dealers four card hand by forming the best four card hand as possible. Like in three card poker, there is an option of placing an additional bet, which pays out according to a pay table, regardless of the dealer's hand.

Rules of Four Card Poker:

This poker game is played with a standard 52 card deck. The game is played on a table about the same size of a blackjack table with three circles in front of each player seat: Aces Up, Ante and 1x to 3x Ante. Each circle signals one of the betting options available in the game.

The game begins with each of the players decides whether to place a bet on the Ante circle, the Aces up circle or both. A player who chooses to play both games is required to place bets in even amounts in both circles.

The dealer deals each player five face down card from which the players choose the best four cards to form the highest possible four card poker hand, according to the hand ranking listed below. The dealer deals himself five face down cards and one face up card. As opposed to three card poker, in four card poker the dealers hand does not have to qualify.

After the cards are dealt, each player looks at his cards and can decide whether to fold or raise. A player who chooses to fold, loses both of his bets. A player who chooses to raise, has to raise to at least the same amount of the Ante bet and up to three times the Ante. After all the players have made their decisions, the dealer exposes his cards and chooses the four of the best cards out of six.

If the dealers hand is higher than the players hand, the player loses all his bets. If the players hand is higher than the dealers hand or equal, he is paid 1:1. If a players hand value is three of a kind or better, he will be entitled to a bonus payout based on a paytable regardless to the value of the dealers hand. The bonus paytable can vary from one casino to another. Usually, the highest possible hand, four of a kind, pays 25:1.

Hand Ranking:

Four card poker hand ranking is obviously different from traditional poker since only four cards are used. Here is the ranking of the hands in four card poker listed from the highest possible four card poker hand to the lowest.

1) Four of a kind

2) Straight flush: four following cards same suited

3) Three of a kind

4) Flush: four same suited cards

5) Straight: four following cards

6) Two pairs

7) Pair of Aces

Aces Up: A New Wager

Aces Up is the additional bet available in four cards poker. It is the equivalent of Pair Plus in three card poker. The payout Aces Up bet is determined by a paytable that regards only to the players hand.

Aces Up Paytable:

1) Four of a kind: 50 to 1

2) Straight flush: 40 to 1

3) Three of a kind: 9 to 1

4) Flush: 6 to 1

5) Straight: 4 to 1

6) Two pair: 2 to 1

7) Pair of Aces 1 to 1

3 Tips for Winning:

This 4-card version like is a simple game. If you want to adjust a basic strategy that will improve your odds, here are three simple guidelines.

1) Fold if you have less than a pair of 2s.

2) Raise to 1xAnte if you have a pair of 3s, 4s, 5s, 6s, 7s, 8s, or 9s.

3) If you have pair of 10s or better, raise up to 3xAnte.