Crazy 4 Poker Rules and 4 Card Poker Variations

There haven’t been too many successful additions to the table games line-up at land-based or online casinos in the last few decades. It’s not for lack of trying, but most new game proposals are either rejected by the casinos themselves, or by players within a few weeks of their introduction. Crazy 4 Poker, (aka 4 Card Poker), is one of the few exceptions.

Crazy 4 Poker rules are quite similar to 3 Card Poker, but with a bit more complexity. In this game, the players and dealer each receive 5 cards with which to create the best possible 4 card poker hand. And to make things more interesting, there’s an optional side bet as well.

Crazy 4 Poker Rules – Base Game

Being a derivative of poker, players will start by placing an Ante bet. All players and the dealer are then dealt 5 cards each. At this point, the player can fold, forfeiting the Ante, or place a Raise bet to continue with the hand.

The Raise will always be equal to the Ante, unless the player’s hand consists of a Pair of Queens (in Queens Up Crazy 4 Poker) or a Pair of Aces (in Aces Up Crazy 4 Poker). Check the rules first to see which variation is on offer.

With a qualifying Queens Up or Aces Up hand, the player has the option of betting up to 3x the Ante bet.

Next, each player will create the highest ranking 4 card poker hand from the 5 cards they have available, then turn it face up. Once all players are done, the dealer will do the same.

Crazy 4 Poker Hand Ranks

• Four of a Kind
• 4-Card Straight Flush
• Three of a Kind
• 4-Card Flush
• 4-Card Straight
• Two Pair
• Pair
• High Card

Settling Ante and Raise Bets

If the player’s hand ranks higher than the dealer’s, the player wins even money on the Raise bet. Tying hands results in a Push. If the dealer’s hand is higher, the Raise bet is lost.

The Ante bet only pays if the dealer can Open, meaning the hand qualifies. The dealer hand will only open if it consists of a King High or anything better.

• If the dealer can’t open, the Ante bet is a Push.
• If the dealer can open, and the player hand is higher, the player wins even money on the Ante.
• If the dealer can open, and beats the player, the Ante is lost.
• If the dealer can open, and the hands tie, it is a Push.

Crazy 4 Poker – Super Bonus Side Bet

The Super Bonus side bet is optional, and pays based on the strength of the player’s hand. It does not matter if dealer opens or not, but beating or tying the dealer can impact this wager.

If the player’s hand qualifies with a Straight or better, the Super Bonus pays according to the paytable below, irrespective of whether the player wins the base game hand or not.

If the player’s hand does not qualify with a Straight or better, but wins or pushes in the base game, the Super Bonus is a push.

If the player does not qualify with a Straight or better, and loses the base game hand to the dealer, the Super Bonus is lost.