Four Card Poker Guide: Basics, Gameplay Rules and Strategies

Are you a poker fan and want to try your hands at a unique poker variant? In that case, a four-card poker is an excellent option for you. Like three-card poker, this variant is also full of fun and enjoyment. However, knowing the common poker terms and basic rules and strategies is important to make the most of the game and enjoy it to the core. This blog will educate you about all the important aspects of four-card poker. Let’s take a look!

Basics of the Four-Card Poker

Before engaging in the live casino online and playing four-card poker, an idea of the basics is important. When you play this poker variant, there are two options. It includes an Aces up option and an ante-play option. It is similar to the pair plus and ante-play options of three-card poker. However, there is a difference in this poker variant.

In the ante-play section of four-card poker, there is no need for any qualifying hand for the dealers to activate the play bets. Now, how does the game provide an edge to the house? Well, the answer is by dealing over four cards. While the players get five cards, the dealers will receive six cards. From the cards dealt, the dealer and the players have to make the best four-card hand.

As a result, the dealer gets more chances to form a better hand than the players. This provides the house with an edge over the players.

Hand Rankings of the Four Card Poker

Now that you have a basic idea of four-card poker, it is time to know its hand ranking. The rankings are different from the other variants of poker. In four-card poker, the four-of-a-kind is considered to be the top hand. Take a look at the hand rankings from the highest to the lowest.

• Four of a kind
• Straight flush
• Three of a kind
• Flush
• Straight
• Two pair
• One pair 
• High card

Gameplay Rules of Four-Card Poker

Take a look at the gameplay of four-card poker.

Ante-play

In order to start a hand in the four-card poker game, you will have to place an ante bet. You can also place an Ace Up bet at the same time. However, it is not mandatory.

After you have placed your wager, each of the players will receive five cards. The dealer will be dealt five face-down cards along with one face-up card. The cards are dealt to the dealer and the players from a single deck. But for every hand, the deck is shuffled.

Once the cards have been dealt, you can look at them and decide whether to raise or fold them. If you choose to raise, you must bet at least equivalent to your ante bet. However, you can also place bets up to 3 times your ante. If you opt to fold, the game dealer will collect your ante, and you lose.

When you raise, you must discard one hand and form a four-card poker hand. After the players discard, the game’s dealer will turn his cards to discard two cards and form a four-card hand. Both hands will then be compared. In case the hand of the dealer outranks yours, the players will lose both raise and ante.

But if your hand is better than the dealer’s, or it is a tie, you will win even money on both the ante and the raise.

The payout of the Ante Wager is as follows:

• Four of a kind – 25 to 1
• Straight flush – 20 to 1
• Three of a kind – 2 to 1
• Quads – 30 to 1
• Straight flushes – 15 to 1
• Three of a kind – 2 to 1 

Ace UP

Another wager you can place in the four-card poker game is the Ace Up. In this wager, you do not have to beat the dealer. Moreover, there is no strategy that you need to learn to place this wager.

In the Ace Up wager, you will win whenever you have a pair of aces or better. Regardless of the hand of the dealer, you will receive the payout of the Ace Up bet.

The payout of the Ace Up wager is as follows:

• 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 pairs – 3 to 1
• Pair of Aces – 1 to 1

The Strategy of Four-Card Poker

The four-card poker game’s strategy is about when to raise when to fold, and how much you should raise. If you want to play four-card poker, here are the strategies you must know.

• It is best to fold if you have a pair of 2s or less.
• When you have a pair of 3s to 9s, you must place a bet of 1x your Ante.
• If you have a pair of 10s or better, it is ideal for placing a bet of 3x your Ante.
• If you have a pair of 4s to 7s, you can opt for a raise of 1x.
• When you have Ace-King-Jack-9 or lower, it is ideal to fold.

These are some strategies you must memorise to enhance your gameplay. However, when playing at a new online casino, keeping the strategy sheet open is better until you are familiar with the strategies.

Conclusion

It would help if you had a complete idea about the four-card poker game. It is indeed exciting and fun to play. Based on your hand, you can decide whether to leverage the poker Big Slick or any other strategy. With the right strategy, players will enjoy the game to the core.