Four Card Poker

This is a new card game and the rules are pretty straightforward. Contrary to the game's name, you get five cards but play only 4 cards to make the best possible hand. The dealer gets 6 cards and plays only 4 to make the best possible hand.

There are only two bets you can make: Ante or Aces Up. You have to make the bet or bets before the cards are dealt. These two bets are independent of one another and you have the option to bet on both or just one. The two bets are very different on what you are betting on. If you play/bet the Ante, then you are playing against the dealer's hand and the highest hand wins. On the other hand, if you bet the Aces Up, you are paid based on your four card hand -- the higher your hand the more you win. A pair of aces is the lowest hand in order to win. The higher your hand the more you will win. Check pay table before playing as payouts change from casino to casino.

Once the bet or bets have been made, the dealer will deal 5 cards to each player and 6 cards to herself, one of which will be dealt face up. At this point, you can either fold or play on. If you fold, you lose your Ante bet. If you decide to play on, you will have to make an additional bet (raise) of 1, 2, or 3 times the original Ante bet. For instance, if you bet $10 Ante, then you can make a $10, $20, or $30 additional bet with $10 being the minimum bet to play on.

Once the additional bet or bets (raise) have been made, the player and dealer will pick their four cards to play. If the player's four-card hand is higher or ties the dealer's hand, he wins even money on both the Ante and any additional bet(s). If the dealer's hand is better, you will lose both your Ante and additional bet(s).

If you are dealt one of the top three hands, Four of a kind, Straight flush, or Three of a kind, you are guaranteed a bonus payout. See pay table before playing as payouts change from casino to casino (see below for a typical payout).

Basic Strategy for Ante/Additional Bet
1. Raise one time with a pair of threes through a pair of nines.
2. Raise three times with a pair of 10s or greater.
3. Fold with a pair of twos or less.

Make sure you have a sufficient bankroll to play this game because the swings can be wide due to almost half the time you will be folding your Ante bet (weak starting hand).

Below is a typical payout schedule for the Ante and Aces Up bet. Make sure to check with each casino before you play on their pay schedules.

Good luck and enjoy the ride.

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