What Is Four Card Poker? Definition Explained
Four Card Poker is a casino table game where players compete against the dealer using four cards dealt from a standard 52-card deck, with an ante bet and optional play bet determining outcomes based on poker hand rankings. Players receive four cards face up, while the dealer gets six cards (five down, one up in some variants). The game combines poker hand strength with simple betting decisions. It matters to players because it offers faster play than traditional poker, lower house edge on certain bets, and availability in live dealer formats at licensed online casinos accessible to Australians.
Game Mechanics and Betting Structure
In Four Card Poker, players place an ante bet to receive four cards. They then decide to fold (lose the ante) or play by matching the ante amount. The dealer reveals their hand, needing at least a pair to qualify. If the dealer qualifies and beats the player, both ante and play lose; otherwise, payouts apply per pay table. An optional Aces Up side bet pays based solely on the player’s four cards, independent of the dealer hand.
Hand Rankings and Payouts
Standard poker rankings apply: flush beats straight, full house beats flush, and so on down to high card. Payouts for ante and play bets are even money when winning against a qualified dealer hand, with 1:1 on ante if pushing. Aces Up side bet offers higher returns like 50:1 for four of a kind. House edge typically ranges 1-3% on main bets, making it player-friendly compared to similar games.
| Hand Type | Aces Up Payout | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Four of a Kind | 50:1 | Four Aces |
| Straight Flush | 40:1 | 5-6-7-8 Hearts |
| Three of a Kind | 3:1 | Three Kings |
| Flush | 2:1 | Any four suited |
| Straight | 1:1 | 3-4-5-6 |
| Pair of Aces or Better | 1:1 | Pair Aces |
